Diddy tries multitasking with new rap video

Killing so many birds with one stone, P. Diddy uses the above clip to advertise his new fragrance (called I Am King), try out for the part of James Bond and take a rap-video vacation: big boats, helicopters, casinos, the works. He also may have killed anyone who's vulnerable to terrible YouTube videos. Never have such onerous burdens—hawking perfume during one of the toughest retail holiday seasons ever, attempting to depose an extremely popular Bond in Daniel Craig—been put on such an unworthy piece of media. At best, the "movie," as Diddy calls it, is a parody of itself and of its genre. If only it made me laugh. Also, the music is terrible. I are king? No, Diddy, you are jester.

—Posted by Jeremy Greenfield

Published on December 2, 2008 | Permalink | Comments (3)
Filed under Diddy, Greenfield, James Bond, Web video

P. Diddy commercial proves too fragrant

Glad to see I'm not the only person who’d rather not watch, or even contemplate, P. Diddy having sex. Other like-minded individuals have banned the new ads for his “Unforgivable” fragrance from cable television because they show the famous(ly awful) rapper/producer/wearer of fur coats parking his car in Jessica Gomez’s garage. Diddy courted controversy with an earlier Unforgivable ad campaign which was deemed too raunchy to display on bus stops. Since he’s already proven himself to be too hot for both television and public transit, expect steamy pictures of him and various models under rumpled bedclothing to appear in libraries and interactive “Shoot the bunny” banner ads any day now.

—Posted by David Kiefaber

Published on September 14, 2007 | Permalink | Comments (10)
Filed under Diddy, Kiefaber

P. Diddy’s ad a hotbed of controversy

In case you missed this yesterday, Estee Lauder is reshooting an ad for P. Diddy’s fragrance, “Unforgivable,” because some department stores deemed the original too steamy for Midwestern and Bible Belt shoppers. The ad showed Diddy in the post-coital sack with two nudies, one Asian and one white. (You can just see moms and dads trying to answer Junior’s questions with the words, “Sleepover party!”) Estee Lauder is standing by the work, sort of, saying it is unfortunate that some retailers are uncomfortable with the ad’s “sexual presence.” Of course, the new ad (left), featuring all three at least partially clothed, isn't as titillating, but at least the perfume company will be able to sell its wares to the family crowd without raising such a stink. And the old ad, posted by BrandNoise, is garnering the company priceless publicity—especially among those Diddy fans who want to smell like a bad, bad boy.

—Posted by Deanna Zammit

Published on January 20, 2006 | Permalink | Comments (8)
Filed under Diddy

Diddy doesn’t pass Google test

So, we’ve been away for a few weeks and were shocked at how quiet our inner blogger became when not given its daily dose of banner ads and TV promos. Given the situation, the best way to snap back into AdFreak-y reality was to tune in the VMAs last night (does anyone actually call them the Video Music Awards anymore?) for an overdose of special performances, product placement tie-ins and an explanation from the show’s host, P. Diddy, on why he has rebranded himself again. The rechristened “Diddy”—as those of you who were not in northern Maine in mid-August know— has claimed that he lopped off the “P.” because people were growing confused over how to refer to him. That’s all well and fine, but, alas, the new moniker doesn’t pass the Google test. If you google the term “P. Diddy”, the search engine spits back an uninterrupted list of dozens of links to the man once known as Sean Combs. Type in "Diddy", however, and the new brand doesn’t get the same play. In the first ten results alone, there are links to three unrelated Diddys: Do Wah Diddy (#2), Diddy Wah (#4) and Diddy Kong Racing (#9). Maybe next time Diddy changes his name—why does that seem so likely?—he should consider giving his new nom de rap a Google test run first.

—Posted by Catharine P. Taylor

Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Published on August 29, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (2)
Filed under Diddy

P. Diddy spins out, and into auto parts

As a businessman, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs still gets mad props. (Do the kids still say that?) But as a brand, Sean John might be wearing a bit thin. Already a hip-hop musician and “entertainment entrepreneur,” the former limo driver is now branching out into the auto-parts business, selling custom rims for luxe SUVs, sports trucks and cushy sedans. There’s no doubt it fits well with the urban culture—spinning rims that run $700-$3,000 per wheel add extra “bling” to your Escalade. (Remember when they were just called hub caps?) And while his new partner, Greg Weld, 61, told the AP that he was amazed by Diddy’s ability to work a room and “build his brand,” I can’t help but wonder if, like a Top 40 song on Z100, this tune is a bit overplayed. First music, then fashion, Broadway shows, marathon running ... now spinning rims? Like Madonna a decade ago, Combs is fond of turning up his name’s volume, but to stay in the spotlight he’ll have to continue to give the venues thoughtful consideration. After all, even the Sex book had a backlash.

—Posted by Deanna Zammit

Photo: Clary/AFP/Getty Images

Published on March 29, 2005 | Permalink | Comments (0)
Filed under Diddy