PRWeek's news article, Verizon cuts tie to Stefani tour, leaves me questioning whether or not Verizon chose to sponsor Akon because he was Gwen Stefani's opening act or because he is a Top 10 artists of the R&B charts. Verizon pulled the plug on their sponsorship of Stefani's tour after viewing a tape that recorded Akon "romping" with an underage, supposedly 14-year-old girl, on stage. Though he apologized for his act, it was too late.
What I am left wondering is whether or not companies consider the history of an artist or idea before they sponsor them. According to About.com in a biography about Akon:
"In New Jersey he took part in little music, and, instead, r
unning with admittedly the wrong crowd, he was kicked out of school for selling weapons. At the age of 18, Akon was arrested and put in jail for a year and a half for being part of a car theft ring. During Akon's time in jail, he began to understand his music abilities and developed an appreciation for his musical background. Akon began writing songs mostly about prison life and living in a ghetto setting."To me, when a company decides to have business relations with an artist, that company stands for what the artists stands for and vice versa. Did Verizon know that they were representing an ex-convict? Or were they basing this business deal off of a successful music career? In public relations, as a client you have to know that what you do affects your overall public image, and as a company, you have to understand that you represent not only yourself but the actions of your client. I'd like to know why they chose to sponsor him and also why they decided to pull the plug.
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