Alicia Keys Kicks Out Cigarette Sponsor from Indonesian Concert
Alicia Keys Protests Philip Morris Sponsorship The Alicia Keys concert’s marketing campaign in Indonesia had a major brouhaha when Washington based Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids informed the Grammy award winning singer of the tobacco giant’s major sponsorship of her Jakarta concert.
Alicia Keys, who advocates children’s health through her involvement with Keep A Child Alive, a campaign to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in poor countries, protested the presence of Philip Morris, which had dubbed her Jakarta As I Am concert as A Mild Live Production, in reference to A Mild Cigarettes, produced by a Philip Morris affiliate, which led the singer to issue a statement through her recording company, Sony BMG Music Entertainment, “I am an unyielding advocate for the well-being of children around the world and do not condone or endorse smoking.”
Philip Morris Cigarette Pulls Down Ad Materials In response to her statement, Philip Morris issues its own statement, “Whether tobacco sponsorship of music events leads to youth smoking is a matter of serious debate. Having considered the facts in this specific instance, we have decided to withdraw all branding associated with this concert.” (Interestingly enough, tobacco companies are not allowed to sponsor concerts in the United States.)
On 30 July 2008, the day before the Alicia Keys concert, the A Mild Live Production posters and billboards were pulled down. And the company has not released any statement regarding its present and future actions against the producers and/or any of its affiliates.
Although I applaud Alicia Keys’ courageous move, a part of me is wondering what could have been the possible cause of this major misunderstanding, which could have been prevented with an informational contract clause.
Alicia Keys As I Am in Manila Meanwhile, Alicia Keys fans in Manila have no reason to worry. MTV Philippines and Music Management International did not get any tobacco sponsor. To check, click here. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate during her concert at the SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds on 05 August 2008. For tickets, please call Ticketworld at 891.9999.
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