Forbes: Tom Mahlke, Chief Executive of CRUNK!!!

Forbes interviews Tom Mahlke for its hip hop business special.  Mahlke is the Chief Executive of CRUNK!!! helping Lil Jon build his energy drink empire.

Mahlke on CRUNK!!! energy drink sales:

"From a retail perspective, in the latest 52-week period we're over $7 million in sales, according to Nielsen...In the last 12 weeks, we're up 25% year over year in retail sales. We're the only non-big four [Coca-Cola...Pepsi...Hansen...Red Bull] owned or distributed brand that's growing. ... By the end of the summer, we expect to be number 11 or 12 overall and the number one independent."

Hey, what about those three exclamation points???

"You know, I asked the same question when I came board... Jon said, 'No, that's not enough. We've got to punctuate this thing. If you're going to get crunk, you've got to get crunk!!!' So that's how the three exclamation points found their way onto the back of the word. It's a little busy, but it makes a point."

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
Forbes: Top 20 Hip Hop "Cash Kings" for 2008
Forbes: 50 Cent Gets Money, Wants African Mines
Forbes: Swizz Beats Profile
Forbes: Jermaine Dupri on the Music Industry

Lupe Fiasco Featured in Coca-Cola Refresh Your Flow Tour

Coca-Cola has created the Coca-Cola Refresh Your Flow Tour featuring Lupe Fiasco, a series of six concerts for teens starting earlier this month in Hollywood and continuing through the end of August in Philadelphia, Atlanta, Chicago, Washington, DC, and New York:

"Tickets to the show are free and can only be obtained from partnering radio stations, participating retailers and Coca-Cola street teams traveling to teen hot spots throughout the cities. In addition, select Boys & Girls Clubs in each market will distribute tickets to deserving Club teens."

Official Website:
Coca-Cola

drank Anti-Energy Drink Gets Press

drank Anti-Energy Drink Logo

We first heard of drank Anti-Energy Drink from Houston So Real but nothing's crossed ProHipHop's path since till this press release announcing drank's appearance on the cover of the Houston Business Journal.

It also breaks down the range of stores carrying the "extreme relaxation beverage":

"drank is available in over 500 locations including 60 Spec's in Houston alone, and in select markets and convenience in more than 37 cities in the southeast including Dallas-Ft. Worth, Waco, Lubbock, and Austin, TX; Baton Rouge, Lafayette, and Shreveport, LA; Las Vegas, NV; Memphis and Jackson, TN; and Jackson, MS. The company plans to have national distribution by 2009."

Official Site:
drank

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
Drugs & Soda: Anti-Energy Drank, Dez & Mountain Dew

Pacific Division Helps Promote Big Mac Chant-Off

Whatever genre labels you wish to attach, groups like Pacific Division are going to renew hip hop's commercial possibilities with their sponsor friendly subculture and style of music.

Pac Div have teamed with McDonald's, along with other artists including Christina Milian, to promote the Big Mac Chant-Off, a Big Mac jingle contest.

Hunid Racks Merch: Hustla Cigars, Mac Dre & 2Pac Cans

Hunid Racks Cigarillos: Hustla Sweet 20 Pack

I just got the Hunid Racks Blunt Alert via Nation of Thizzlam so I thought I'd check out their current merch.

Hunid Racks Energy Drink: Mac Dre Special Edition

The Mac Dre cans have been out for a while and look great.

Hunid Racks Energy Drink: 2Pac Special Edition

But I'm not sure what to think of the 2Pac Special Edition.

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
100 Racks/Hunid Racks Energy Drink Copromotes With Yukmouth & Messy Marv, C-Bo Albums
Young Doe aka Charles Truth's Welcome to the Maze: Album & Novel, Plus: Hunid Racks & Remy

Dr. Pepper Commercial Featuring Flavor Flav

Flavor Flav's Dr. Pepper Commercial

As Wooohah notes, it's actually Flavor Flav's voice that appears in the commercial but it's quite recognizable!

Related ProhipHop Coverage:
Flavor Flav in New Dr. Pepper Commercial

Flavor Flav in New Dr. Pepper Commercial

Video Update: Dr. Pepper Commercial Featuring Flavor Flav

Original Post:
Flavor Flav is featured in a new Dr. Pepper commercial:

"In his commercial debut, Flavor Flav gives voice to one of Dr Pepper's 23 flavors, delivering a creative and unique commercial that depicts that there is something new to discover in every sip of Dr Pepper."

"'Dr Pepper is flavorlicious like me. Just like Dr Pepper, I add more to it,' said Flavor Flav."

"The commercial was created by Young & Rubicam and directed by Rob Pritts. It opens with a college student listening to a lecture on a college campus. The student opens a can of Dr Pepper, unleashing the 23 flavors of Dr Pepper, which disrupt the professor's lecture. The recognizable voice of Flavor Flav begins singing about how 'flavorlicious' Dr Pepper is, and captures the attention of all the other students and the professor. The student covers the can, but a salsa rhythm begins playing as soon as he takes his hand away for another drink. After quieting the Dr Pepper a third time, a final flavor plays a heavy metal riff to conclude the commercial."

Official Site:
Dr. Pepper

KFC Pride 360 Hitmaker 2007 Compilation CD

According to the press release, Kentucky Fried Chicken is expanding its 2008 Pride 360 activities but you can still download the KFC Pride 360 Hitmaker 2007 Compilation CD.

Drugs & Soda: Anti-Energy Drank, Dez & Mountain Dew

I've lost track of ProHipHop's marketing focus but that's going to change starting right now with a bit of catching up and leaning back.

HoustonSoReal is pushing Drank, an "anti-energy" soda that plays off obvious drug references.

Matt also has pics from a party for Dez hosted by Bun B for Dez's Mountain Dew bottle design that's part of the Green Label Art project.

Dez also designed Do The Dew custom sneaks.

Question: Is Mountain Dew trying to displace Sprite as a key ingredient in Purple Drank?

Answer: Don't know but it certainly involves a wink and a nudge.

Question: So why's that boy stumbling around the court in those Do The Dew dunks?

Answer: He's got his lean on.

E-40: 40 Water Birthday Bash, The Ball Street Journal, ICEPICKS

Online 40 Water Store - Coming Soon!

E-40 is holding a 40 Water Birthday Bash on November 15th in Las Vegas to celebrate all sorts of things including his birthday, "20 Years in the Rap Game" and the birth of his new water line 40 Water.

You can find out a bit more about 40 Water on the official site where an online store is coming soon.

Flavors: Lemon Lime, Fruit Punch, Watermelon, Tangerine.

The site includes the "40 Network" which currently has links to E-40 related sites and the request to freeze/thaw/shake your 40 Water and send in the photo of the results.  I guess that will make more sense when we see a pic or video.

Also, according to the press release, attendees will be serenaded with samples from E-40's next album, The Ball Street Journal, now set for a first quarter '08 release.

E-40 is a franchisee of Fat Burger and Wingstop Restaurant and there will be Fat Burger gift bags at the party!

The 40 Water man also "recently gained an endorsement deal with diamond studded toothpick company called Ice Picks" but no related gift bags have been announced.

Note Regarding the Name 40 Water:
"Forty Water" is actually one of E-40's many alternate names predating this product.

Correction:
I had initially reported, based on the first version of the press release, that E-40 had a VitaminWater deal, however that release has been corrected as has this post.  E-40 is doing his own water line called 40 Water so it's related to products such as 50 Cent's formula 50 from VitaminWater.

Hip Hop Grub Spot Challenges Hip Hop Soda Shop

Hip Hop Grub Spot Promo Video

Looks like the Hip Hop Grub Spot in Miami is going to benefit from the extended buildup to the opening of the HipHopSodaShop in St. Petersburg since both seem to be opening around the same unspecified time and have some striking similarities.

Despite the rough camera work in the above video, this can't be happy news for the folks from HipHopSodaShop's H3 Enterprises who have been building a rather complicated sounding company including H3TV, an acquisition creating flat screen HDTVs for gamers, as well as "H3Raps, H3WhiteTeaBeverages, H3Players.com, H3Merchandising, and H3Players' WorldSeries of CyberSports."  What they haven't done is open a HipHopSodaShop.

Check out the Hip Hop Grub Spot's self-description from their press release:

Hip Hop Grub Spot, is a Hip Hop themed, healthy fast-food global franchise which incorporates, student executive/entrepreneur training, in-store video gaming provided by Microsoft XBOX, with support by Hip Hop artists and professional athletes. It will also retail magazines, DVDs, mix-tapes, and apparel; while serving fast, fresh, healthy sandwiches, wraps, smoothies, and energy drinks.

And compare with H3 Enterprises' description of the HipHopSodaShop concept on their official site:

The HipHopSodaShop franchise is the backbone of all H3 related businesses and encapsulates not only the numerous revenue streams that the Company has developed but also embodies the “community conscious” approach that H3 applies to all of its endeavors. The HipHopSodaShop is a unique restaurant concept that celebrates the skyrocketing demand for everything Hip Hop, complete with a healthy quick service menu, merchandising, memorabilia, giant LCD screens, and a large area dedicated to competitive Video Gaming...H3 has...signed agreements with several top athletes and Hip Hop stars for Area Development Agreements to further accelerate the SodaShops’ market penetration and prominence in the community.

Food, video games, merchandise, social responsibility and big name involvement all tied together with a hip hop theme.  There are a variety of differences between these companies but I'd hate to be the one pitching those during a 30-second local tv interview.

Cynically Tempting ProHipHop Brainstorm:
I know a great spot down the block to launch my latest project, The Hip Hop Chicken Shack.  Opening day proceeds will benefit the Jena 6.

ProHipHop will co-sponsor the 1st Annual Hip Hop Chicken Shack "Shoot the Klansman With TIP's Automatic Weaponry" video game tournament in multiple locations  throughout the Deep South.

Colonel Saunders, your time is over, baby.  We're burning the plantation down and grilling Hip Hop Chicken over the open flames!

Update:
The domain HipHopChickenShack.com is now available for purchase!

1995 Sprite Commercial With Pete Rock & CL Smooth

Pete Rock & CL Smooth - Sprite Commercial

Via kanYe "beating celeb bloggers at their own game" West.

Steve Rifkind Launches Loud Beverage Corp., Plans Loud Sex Shots & Energy 2008 Tour

New Loud Energy Drinks - Sitrus Stunner & Classic Mix

Steve Rifkind, founder of Loud Records, and Ron Urban have launched Loud Beverage Corp. and Rifkind is planning on putting his street marketing expertise to work:

"We will launch this product market by market in the manner of breaking records," says Loud's Rifkind. "In addition to traditional beverage marketing, we utilize radio, DJs, mix tapes, club nights and promotions with non-traditional entertainment and lifestyle accounts. This company's rich musical history has its roots in marketing, and that's the same approach we are taking with Loud Energy Drinks."

More on current and future product lines including Loud Sex shots from the press release:

Loud Energy Drinks currently come in two flavors (Classic Mix and Sitrus Stunner), with a third (Grapple Sauce) in production and a fourth (the sugar-free Pomberry Zero) completing formulation. The drinks, unlike other products, are lightly carbonated, providing energy components as well as essential vitamins and healthful ingredients...

Loud Energy Drinks are currently available in San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, New Mexico, Texas, Atlanta, Memphis, New York City and suburbs, with Virginia, Maryland, DC, Pennsylvania and New Jersey added to the list within the next month...

Loud Beverage Corp. also has several lines in development, including Loud Shotz, a two-ounce sugar-free energy/vitamin/antioxidant shot, which will launch in November with two flavors. In addition, there are plans for a co-branded artist launch of four organic vitamin waters in 2008, along with Loud Sex shots.

And on the marketing including the Loud Energy 2008 Tour:

The packaging incorporates the well-known Loud logo, one of the most recognized brands in all of pop and hip-hop culture, in a streamlined 12 oz., can with a sleek, cool look. By December, the drinks will come in stylized four and six-packs that resemble a woofer from a speaker and an old-school boom box, lending itself to co-branding and promotional opportunities.

Local promotions are planned with partner Universal Music Group at such retail outlets as Dimple, Rasputin, Hastings and more than 200 independent indie accounts. The product will also be on sale at select FYE stores this holiday season....

The Loud Energy 2008 Tour, with a full slate of corporate and entertainment sponsors, is slated to start in January and will run for six months, hitting 26 major markets.

Now that's a rich and useful press release!

There doesn't seem to be a separate website so check Loud.com for future news and availability.

Young Doe aka Charles Truth's Welcome to the Maze: Album & Novel, Plus: Hunid Racks & Remy

Young Doe - Welcome to the Maze Album Promo

This is a lively short promo video for Young's Doe's upcoming release Welcome to the Maze.  Young Doe aka Charles Truth is out of Denver, Colorado and it turns out the album is based on a book he's self published called Welcome to the Maze: A Novel.

Charles Truth - Welcome to the Maze: A Novel

Young Doe @ MySpace

Bonus Footage:

Young Doe aka Charles Truth - Hunid Racks & Remy

Just ran into this recent video single by Young Doe aka Charles Truth, Hunid Racks & Remy.

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
Hunid Racks Merch: Hustla Cigars, Mac Dre & 2Pac Cans
100 Racks/Hunid Racks Energy Drink Copromotes With Yukmouth & Messy Marv, C-Bo Albums

The Federation: College Girl Contest, 18 Dummy Drink

The Federation's College Girl Dance Contest

Though it seems a bit unfocused so far, The Federation is promoting their single College Girl off the upcoming It's Whateva with a YouTube College Girl Dance Contest.

The video above explains that one must submit one's video to www.youtube.com/fedtv where there is currently no information whatsoever about the contest itself.  However the video does explain that the winner will get to appear in a Federated music video and will also get some stuff including a pair of Federation approved Stunna Shades from StunnaShadez.net.

Unfortunately the lyrics to College Girl make it clear that this contest does not promote education:
She's a college girl.
She's nasty.

Best of luck, ladies.

Rick Rock's 18 Dummy Energy Drink

I don't know the full back story on 18 Dummy Energy Drink or the order of events but basically Rick Rock, a major producer who works with The Federation, has an energy drink produced in partnership with Xyience called 18 Dummy that leverages the slang term 18 Dummy and the Federation single 18 Dummy.

Early reviews are mixed.

MySpace Pages:
The Federation
18 Dummy Energy Drink

Drinks Americas & Interscope Geffen A&M Partner Up

Drinks Americas and Interscope Geffen A&M team up for beverage magic in a unique deal that "marks the first time a record label has partnered directly with a beverage company for an equity stake in new products jointly developed."

From the press release:
As part of the agreement, the 50/50 partnership will seek to identify, develop, commercialize and market jointly owned alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage products in collaboration with Interscope Geffen A&M artists. Interscope Geffen A&M will work to sign and negotiate with selected artists, and to assist in the marketing and promotion of the new beverages. Additionally, Interscope Geffen A&M has agreed to assist in marketing and promoting Drinks Americas' current and growing portfolio of products, including Donald Trump's Trump Super Premium Vodka and Willie Nelson's Old Whiskey River Bourbon. Launched in October 2006, Trump Super Premium Vodka is on track to sell approximately 100,000 cases in its first twelve months, the largest introduction of a new spirit product in the industry's recent history.

I guess they got tired of watching artists stack those beverage dollars.  Actually, this sort of thing is where the music industry is going and it will be interesting to see what combos and conflicts emerge given that artists like 50 Cent are already in the beverage game and now his label wants in.

Doritos Commercials f/The Black Eyed Peas

Where's The Party At? - Version 1

Where's The Party At? - Version 2

The Black Eyed Peas Meet Chip Man

Commercials featuring each of the individual Peas can be found at BEPBrazil @ YouTube.

Official Site:
Doritos Party

Related Coverage:
Multi-Year Pepsi-Doritos/Black Eyed Peas Campaign

Rocawear Designed Cherry Coke Can Debuts

New Cherry Coke Can Design by Rocawear

Tomorrow at a NY Fashion Week party, Coke, Jay-Z and the Rocawear design team will unveil the new Cherry Coke can pictured above.  A related design for "Cherry Coke Zero...includes the same silver cityscape and cherries with pierced centers dotted across a predominately black background."

In addition:
The special Fashion Week Cherry Coke launch event will also showcase six artists who will reinterpret the brand's graphics in five different media. The participating artists -- sneaker-designer Dave White, photographer Shareif Ziyadat, digital artist and illustrator Nigel Dennis, sculptor Charlie Becker and lifestyle influencers Nick Poe and Jeff Roberts -- will unveil their interpretations of the Cherry Coke look at the event...

New Cherry Coke and Cherry Coke Zero packaging will be supported by a fully integrated marketing campaign, which includes a new 30-second television commercial that will debut on the February 14 episode of American Idol on FOX, plus radio, outdoor, and point-of-sale executions. The new creative for Cherry Coke was developed by advertising and design agency 72andSunny of Los Angeles, California.

(Photo via PRNewsFoto/Coca-Cola North America)

Sprite & LeBron James Hold Hip Hop Track Contest

Promo for LeBron James' subLYMONal Theme Song Contest

Sprite continues to evolve its subLYMONal campaign with a contest for the best LeBron James theme song.

The contest is happening at LeBron23-23.com and, after creating your hip hop track using the online Studio Mixer, you can then distribute it using Sprite Lymon branded widgets.

I dig the widgets concept.

I also like the fact that in the above promo, which includes the commercial for which the tracks will be chosen, we see one of the most realistic shootouts conducted by rich Americans in fancy houses ever filmed.

100 Racks/Hunid Racks Energy Drink Copromotes With Yukmouth & Messy Marv, C-Bo Albums

100 Racks Energy Drink Promo

Two album releases this week promote 100 Racks aka Hunid Racks energy drink.

Yukmouth & Messy Marv - 100 Racks: The Album

I'm unclear as to the exact business relationship but both albums have Hunnid Racks sponsorships and come from a label called Sumo which I haven't found a site for yet.  Actually I was looking on MySpace and got so many flashing ads that I had to move on.  In any case, it's not like anybody's hiding the fact that there's a relationship here and I appreciate that.

C-Bo - 100 Racks In My Backpack

I'm assuming both albums are along the lines of mixtapes which makes a lot of sense for a branded album of this nature.

100 Racks also has a MySpace page.

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
Hunid Racks Merch: Hustla Cigars, Mac Dre & 2Pac Cans
Young Doe aka Charles Truth's Welcome to the Maze: Album & Novel, Plus: Hunid Racks & Remy

Jay-Z On The Coke Side Of Life

Jay-Z Stageside Radio City

Here's a mini-doc post-promo on Jay-Z's Reasonable Doubt concert that's got plenty of Coke branding on it.  It's part of the Coca-Cola Stageside project which apparently will not be limited to Jay-Z.

I like the fact that they're making it available in multiple formats and outlets from Bittorrent to Quicktime to YouTube.  I'm also wondering who Mindping is, the person who sent me these links without pointing out the Coke connection.  Hmmm.

In any case, thanks Mindping!

Prep-Unit Pimps Smirnoff Raw Iced Tea

I'm not really sure what to say about this viral video ad featuring "Prep-Unit" pimping Smirnoff Raw Tea, an alcoholic product, so I'll just provide some links to other folk's coverage beginning with where I found it.

ThirdWay Advertising Blog:
Smirnoff Tea Partay - Preppies on YouTube
Smirnoff and BBH have hit the mark with this spot . . . by embracing Ice Tea’s geekiness instead of trying to run away from it.  Improperly launched, alcoholic ice tea would probably have all the appeal of a lime wine coolers.  By confronting ice tea’s prissy image head-on, Smirnoff gives this new product a fighting chance.

Marketing Vox:
BBH Viral Vid for Smirnoff Raw Tea Takes Off
[The clip was] produced by Bartle Bogle Hegarty . . . [and] directed by music video veteran Julien Christian Lutz of HSI Production.

Tea Guy Speaks:
Smirnoff Raw Tea Partay
If you'd like to find out a little more about what Raw Tea is, good luck to you. Smirnoff has a Tea Partay Web site set up here. As of right now, it just redirects to the Smirnoff Ice Web site, which features a small banner ad for the product and nothing more.

The Corner:
Tea Partay: Smirnoff Raw Tea commercial
I lived in Scarsdale, NY for 6 years - we vacationed on Martha's Vineyard for 3 summers.  It will be interesting if something this spot on & funny can be used to spur actual sales of what is likely a bad tasting drink.

My general impression is that they put out a video that took off before they were quite prepared to deal with the response.  While I think you should always prepare for the best, at least they've got a hit to contend with.

Update:
A comment by "Anonymous" led me to a somewhat heated discussion that broke out on Adfreak regarding this video with some attempts to get serious by MultiCultClassic's HighJive and Knock The Hustle's Hadji Williams.

If you check out the exchanges, you may find Hadji somewhat heavy handed but I'm sympathetic since that's often my m.o. in such situations as well, though I'm trying to move away from that because weaklings everyday people just can't handle it.  Note that not only do commenters immediately go to personal attacks on Hadji, but they don't really engage HighJive's more light handed approach with any interest in the deeper elements of his critique either.

This exchange reminds me of one of my experiences pointing out what I considered racist comments by Steve Hall at AdRants.com when he once broke into pseudo ebonics while discussing a campaign related to black people.  I would stop checking for AdRants entirely but Steve actually covers more hip hop related campaigns than most of the big ad blogs, so I bite the bullet, but it doesn't make me happy.

Know Your History: Beanie Sigel Takes A Sprite Break!

Could it really be over 5 years since Beanie Sigel and Sprite asked, "What Are You Thinkin'?"

Hip Hop lyricist Beanie Sigel takes a "Sprite break" during filming of Sprite's "What Are You Thinkin'?" campaign in Los Angeles. The ads challenge urban youth to embrace their uniqueness and their own personal sense of style by demonstrating the folly of judging others on appearance alone. (Feature Photo Service, 2000)

The Ghetto Big Mac

Ghetto Big Mac: How to remix the Dollar Menu at McDonald's

Somehow I find it difficult to imagine a McDonald's exec recognizing how good such a nutty video could be for them.  But you never know.

I like most everything about this video including the choice of music, the interactions with the employees and the presentation of the process.

It also suggests interesting possibilities for McDonald's to jack Burger King's Have It Your Way image.

Even though I don't go into McDonald's very often and this video reminded me of how much I dislike concoctions like the Big Mac, it also made me think about keeping an eye on things at my neighborhood outlet just on the off chance that I'll catch somebody piling fries on their double cheeseburger.

Of course, it may be more plausible to keep an eye out for a Crispin Porter + Bogusky knock off.

Found via The Rap Up

Apparently it's in the process of oozing viral goodness. 

Update:
Not that there aren't Ghetto Big Mac haters out there as well, though Hashim seems to be critiquing the sandwich rather than the video and that's so beside the point.

Nobody cares about the product.  Buzz is all that matters in today's short attention span Web 2.O'Reilly world!  Haven't you heard?

The Black Eyed Snickers' Instant Def Episode III Drops

So the third installment of the Snickers: Instant Def series featuring the Black Eyed Peas, except without the group's name, has been released on the site and it continues to exploit the old school hip hop theme with increasing Snickers brand placements.

Though I think the Snickers placements will wear thin, with lines like the one revealing a new superpower, "I turned a Snickers truck into a lowrider," that aspect may turn out ok.

What I find particularly funny about this campaign is that it serves as a slap in the face to the constant criticisms of the Black Eyed Peas by various sectors of hip hop for not fulfilling their agenda for rap music while leveraging the increasingly corny aspects of the old school perspective.  I'm not dissing the concept of the Four Elements or hip hop culture or history but I do feel it's a mistake not to recognize that graffiti writing and breakdancing haven't had any major aesthetic breakthroughs in many years.

The Black Eyed Peas are great pop stars and their relevance to hip hop in whatever form one worships is ultimately a nonissue in marketing their music and in marketing Snickers, i.e. I don't think they're trying to impress the old school crowd with any of this campaign.  They're much more likely to be reaching young people who find the old school kind of corny and like seeing the Black Eyed Peas in what is essentially a Saturday morning kids show.

For my part, I'm much more influenced to pick up a Snickers bar these days cause they're conveniently located right over the automatic checkout at my local grocery store than because the Black Eyed Peas are pimping them.  And yes, I think My Humps is one of the weirdest songs I've heard in a while but I'm not holding that success against them nor do I find that stating the obvious, i.e. "Fergie is white", to be a criticism even worth discussing.

But if you just plain don't like them, I'm certainly not going to argue with that.

AllHipHop.com's 3rd Annual AllHipHop Week w/BBQ!

I can't believe I missed announcements of earlier AllHipHop Weeks cause AllHipHop Week 2006 is a great concept.

AllHipHop Week 2006 will unite thousands of celebrities, music executives, entertainers, national media and loyal Hip-Hop enthusiasts to celebrate the growing influence of the Hip-Hop industry in American culture.

Sponsors and Partners:
Pepsi and Verizon, and in association with VIBE Magazine and HOT 97-WQHT-FM, New York; reigning over New York City August 5 through 11.

In these fast paced times, they have every right to claim tradition by their third year:
Following tradition, the 3rd Annual AllHipHop Week kicks off with an annual favorite, the classic AllHipHop BBQ, which is sponsored by G-Unit.

A G-Unit sponsored barbecue?  It's not like I'd go but that's hard to argue with.  And I do love barbecue.

This year the BBQ is combined with a massive Gaming Tournament offering cash prizes up to $10,000!  Expect AllHipHop's signature events including the Breeding Ground™, giving top artists an opportunity to showcase their skills to an audience of major Hip-Hop media, executives and A&Rs; and the Social Lounge™, a Hip-Hop meeting of the minds as various artists, executives, politicians and intellectuals from the Hip-Hop community have a roundtable discussion about current events and issues.  This year's AllHipHop Week offers events for all lovers of the culture including the "Urban Visualizations Art Show: Hip-Hop As Life, a Salute to Gordon Parks," AllHipHop's Battle Royale emcee battle, and the urban chic "House of AllHipHop" Celebrity Fashion Show.  The week culminates with a grand finale performance, in association with media partners VIBE Magazine and Hot 97-WQHT-FM, New York.

From barbecue to Gordon Parks.  Cot damn!

On A Barbecue Related Note:
I realize they may just be grilling stuff but now they've got me thinking about beef brisket [no pun intended].  I know a place in NC run by transplanted Texans where you can get legitimate beef brisket, though they shut down their operation that was just three blocks from my present abode.

Beef brisket rules.  Go ask Balance if you ain't heard!

But mostly it's a pork thing around here.  Not that I mind.  Sorry Adisa!

And you know we got the hush puppies that can't be beat.  My brother in Connecticut says they don't even know what they are up there!  Talk about impoverished.

In any case, these guys just worked me over with this announcement.  Now that's good marketing!

By the way, I probably shouldn't say this about Mr. Banjoko, but he's jealous of both me and Balance cause we've had beef brisket and he hasn't.  Why else would he look so pissed in all his photos?  The man's barbecue deficient!

What's The Point?:
So I'm trying to make a point here about engaging your target audience.

In my case, the barbecue theme caused me to riff because I have a deep relationship to barbecue.  But, obviously, this is a serious multilayered promotional event that I expect to be reading about on a blog or two from New York before long.  Cause it can't just be about making folks like me envious of missing the party, whether you categorize that envy as part of the plan, an added bonus or an unexpected result.

Snoop Dogg In Orbit Gum Ad & Website

Snoop Dogg makes more crossover magic with Orbit Gum!

Via Advertising/Design Goodness.

Full Text Of Roederer Press Release Response To Jay-Z Cristal Boycott

I finally found the full press release from Roederer that, to date, I'd only seen one sentence of in the English-language online press, though that one line sure got great distribution on hip hop news sites.  Too bad there's no market for a serious hip hop news operation in this country.

Special thanks to Awer who was going to look for and translate a French version.  His take on the lack of interest in France is included in the previous post along with links to news about some upcoming hip hop events in Paris:
Hadji Williams: How Cristal Hustled Hiphop (Plus Updates)

Alright, now I'm really going on vacation.  Peace, y'all.

Champagne Louis Roederer President Addresses Comments in the Press
Tuesday June 20, 6:48 pm ET

REIMS, France, June 20 /PRNewswire/ -- The following statement was issued today, by Champagne Louis Roederer President Frederic Rouzaud:

It has come to my attention that unjust accusations are being made against Champagne Louis Roederer following my recent interview in The Economist. A quick-spreading rumor falsely attributes me with the reference "unwelcome attention." I did not use this phrase and I did not imply such sentiment.

The House of Louis Roederer could not have been in existence since 1776 without having the utmost regard for, and interest in, all forms of art and culture; this encompasses the most contemporary of fashions and music, which allows us to keep in step with the modern age. Cristal, like other great fashion names, has earned greater renown by being adopted by some of today's most recognized artists, entrepreneurs and opinion leaders.

Our goal is that Cristal be most appreciated for what it is: a wine which is always produced without compromise in limited quantities and to which the greatest care is applied to safeguard its quality. Our constant efforts are to ensure that those who love Cristal can appreciate it for the wine that it is.

As winemakers we cannot deny that we have occasionally been a little dismayed at seeing our wine sprayed around in celebration instead of being savored in a glass. We have routinely been questioned on the subject of extravagant displays of consumption, but of course we understand that such a form of celebration is part of champagne's mystique and heritage.

I welcome this opportunity to set the record straight and express our gratitude that people from a diversity of cultures and countries have been enjoying our wine for so long and have allowed us to prosper since 1776.

Frederic Rouzaud
President / CEO
Champagne Louis Roederer

Contacts:
Xavier Barlier
Vice President Marketing & Communication
Maisons Marques & Domaines
Email:  xbarlier@mmdusa.net
Tel:  510-286-2000

Theresa Wray
Public Relations Associate
Maisons Marques & Domaines
Email:  twray@mmdusa.net
Tel:  510-286-2014

Source: Champagne Louis Roederer

The Complete Account:
ProHipHop Coverage & Analysis of Jay-Z's Cristal Boycott

Boycott All Roederer Products, Not Just Cristal

As Jay-Z adds his weight to the Cristal boycott first suggested by Nah Right, the question of whether or not such a limited boycott of Roederer products would be effective must be raised.

Michael Miraflor links to the actual Economist article in which the noxious quotes of Roederer management are included but other information suggests an expansion of the boycott is necessary:
Roederer [makers of Cristal] and Moët produce a range of champagnes, starting from a “basic” non-vintage costing around $30 a bottle; followed by vintage champagnes that are produced in a single year and aged for longer, and are commensurately more expensive; and, at the top of the tree, their prestige cuvées, Cristal and Dom Pérignon.

An effective boycott would include all Roederer products, since boycotting only Cristal might actually be good for Roederer's Cristal brand.  To be honest, I don't know anybody that's even seen Cristal other than on television, but I don't hang with Richie Rich.

For example, Roederer owns Northern California based Roederer Estate that produces three wines with the Roederer brand.  A variety of Roederer wines and champagnes are available in the U.S., many under $50.

Boycotting Cristal is weak.  Boycotting all Roederer products is powerful.  If the streets have Jay-Z's back, then he can mobilize a real boycott that hurts Roederer rather than a limited boycott that may actually work in Roederer's favor.  Unless, of course, this is personal posturing on the part of Jay-Z which will simply free up limited supplies of Cristal for other Richie Riches to consume.

By the way, is anybody actually demanding anything in case the boycott actually succeeds?  No demands = no way of claiming victory.

Let's get real or let's move on to the next topic of the day.

Hey, Bay Area, how about organizing a protest at Roederer Estate in Mendocino County?

On Second Thought: It's a little silly to call someone racist for not wanting to be associated with musicians who brag about their criminal past and, in some cases, appear to be continuing their criminal activities.  Just a thought.

The Complete Account:
ProHipHop Coverage & Analysis of Jay-Z's Cristal Boycott

Jay-Z Joins Cristal Boycott, Good for Cristal?

Last week, AllHipHop.com and Nah Right turned the hip hop communities attention to an article in the Economist in which Cristal's Frédéric Rouzaud expressed distate for American rap stars' patronage of the high priced champagne.  Nah Right blogger Eskay even called for a boycott.  Now Jay-Z is joining in the fun by announcing that neither he nor his 40-40 Club will be buying Cristal in the future.

While this may appear to be a form of brand self-destruction, given the extremely limited supplies and the elite image of this product, the boycott actually may be just what Cristal management desires, unless rich white socialites decide to join the boycott.  No matter the outcome, it's the right thing to do.

Further Coverage: Boycott All Roederer Products, Not Just Cristal

The Complete Account:
ProHipHop Coverage & Analysis of Jay-Z's Cristal Boycott

 

Black Eyed Peas as Snickers Superheroes

Reading the press release and seeing the above pic makes me think that Snickers' attempt to reach "teen influencers" with online episodes, or "digi-sodes", featuring the Black Eyed Peas as "Snickers factory workers by day and 'defenders of old school hip hop' by night" isn't going to work so well.

Seeing the trailer changed my mind:

It's much nicer in the full screen version at Instant Def.

According to the release:
The idea was created by advertising agency BBDO New York in collaboration with Form TV's Jesse Dylan and will.i.am, who also created the theme song and mixed music for all of the "sodes."

The campaign looks interesting with print, theater, in-store and online advertising though it sounds like the emphasis will be online:
Snickers plans a limited flight of print media buys in support of Instant Def. In-theater advertising began Memorial Day weekend, showcasing the trailer in top 10 markets. The In-Store Sports Network, FootLocker, FootAction and Champs stores nationwide will showcase the trailer during the months of June and July.  Public relations efforts for the Instant Def campaign will have a heavy online concentration, using a grassroots approach to create buzz surrounding the webisodes, as well as online promotions with key websites.

Have other such trailers for online projects been run in movie theaters and in-store?  I'd better ask Chris.

The trailer is available at Instant Def and the series starts on June 5th.  I'll be checking it out so I'm sure I'll have more to say.

Sprite's Changing Relationship to Hip Hop: From Ogilvy & Mather to Crispin Porter + Bogusky

As some have recently expressed, Sprite's ditching of Miles Thirst could be seen as a move away from hip hop and, perhaps, indicative of a larger marketing trend.

Though launching a Sprite campaign focused on the lymon angle, Sprite will still hold a:
fashion event -- the inaugural Sprite Street Couture Showcase -- at Guastavino's in New York. The event will feature collections from streetware designers, including Etnies, LRG, Rocawear, Triple Five Soul and WESC.

Of course, such an event could simply be playing out older commitments or not viewed as hip hop specific but, rather, urban in its broader dimensions.

On the other hand, the Sprite/MSN Exposure site features urban and hip hop related elements, with a shift from the focus on a star, well, Miles Thirst, to real people becoming celebs for their realness, or something.  Very of the times.

The earlier Sprite/MSN collab The Scenario featured Miles Thirst and hip hop djs, so Sprite's been online for a while.  Perhaps current developments are more about Sprite's changing relationship to hip hop rather than an abandonment scenario.

Of course, they also have to do with a shift in ad agencies from Miles Thirst creators Ogilvy & Mather to Crispin Porter + Bogusky.  CP+B are the ones doing the subLYMONal campaign featuring the term OBEY from Obey Your Thirst that I can't help but think resonates due to Shepard Fairey's OBEY campaign.

Sprite has also had a mostly unrelated "Show & proove" street campaign going since April:
To try and shake things up at street level, Sprite is employing a campaign that loosely strings together viral video, guerrilla postings and print ads in alternative weeklies all of which ask, "Do U have the proof?" The new logo, which looks like a football made of half lemon and half lime is featured, although the brand name is not revealed.  The "Show & prove" guerrilla effort was originally touted as an underground buzz-building ploy, a la Halo 2's ilikebees.com, complete with a countdown to the launch event. However many of the plans, created by Commonground, Chicago, have yet to come to fruition or have been scrapped altogether.

Sounds like a bit of chaos and also that the activities related to hip hop in some way, primarily the fashion show and the Exposure site, are all separate from CP+B's core campaign, which might not be a good sign for the future of such projects.

Hip Hop Restaurant Franchise

Halls of HipHop, a "restaurant/club concept" will open its first locations later this year. However, they are also buying multiple franchises and will give each franchise the choice to convert stores to a fast food opportunity called TheHipHopSodaShop. Brian Peters is the entrepreneur behind Halls of HipHop which announced future openings back in December. Apparently, part of the long term goal is to become a publicly traded company.

Diversification: Formula 50 & Man Alive

50 Cent's partnership with Glaceau to create the vitaminwater drink Formula 50 is deemed a success with unique marketing initiatives to come, including a limited edition version to promote 50's upcoming album. Vibe had an interesting analysis of the drink when it came out in the fall.

The Finish Line recently bought The Hang Up Shoppes which owns Man Alive, a fashion chain that considers itself to be the "nation's leading hip hop fashion retailer".

Hip Hop Energy Drinks

With revenues from energy drink Crunk!!! topping $1 million, Lil Jon discusses his involvement with developing and marketing the drink, including naming an album after it, as well as future product plans. In addition to interviewing Lil Jon, Burt Helm also provides an overview of the energy drink scene that includes multiple hip hop related drinks such as Nelly's seminal Pimp Juice, Fat Joe's plump Stinger and one of Russell Simmons' failures, DefCon 3.

Chronic Candy Set to Erode Western Civilization

Snoop Dogg and P. Hilton's apparent endorsement of Chronic Candy has led to controversy over the possibility that it is a marketing effort aimed at youth that will promote marijuana use similar to such cigarette campaigns as Joe Camel. ProHipHop thinks this might actually be a marketing campaign designed to benefit from the widespread youth appeal of marijuana in order to sell candy.

ProHipHop is also alarmed that no one is concerned about false advertising. The slogan, "Every lick is like taking a hit" is extremely misleading and its message that one will get a buzz off pot without THC is patently false. Furthermore, marijuana does not taste good. No one eats marijuana for the taste. So to imply that a sweet tasting candy product that does not get you high is similar to a foul tasting substance that requires a great deal of processing to enter an edible state but that will get you high is where the real scandal lies in this media event.

ProHipHop must also go on record as being highly disappointed by Snoop Dogg's endorsement of a marijuana related product that does not deliver on its claims. Since P. Hilton does not have a reputation to protect, I'll just leave it at that.

Doing For Cognac What FUBU Did For Fashion

Although this press release came out last week, I wanted to mention the announcement that Carnivo Unlimited is the first African American owned company to import cognac to the U.S. However, their initial product, to be released in February, will be a cognac, vodka and fruit juice mixture similar to Hpnotiq. Their release reveals refreshing honesty and a "ride or die" attitude combined with the excellent phrase, "doing for Cognac what FUBU did for fashion."