Smelling salts Marketing campaigns often make for strange bedfellows. Last week, Jim Clerkin, president of Allied Domecq's North American drinks division, and Shaggy, the Jamaican reggae star, met at a swank New York bar to launch two new flavours of the company's Malibu rum. Shaggy, who was selected as a Malibu spokesman because of his "easygoing" style, wore flip-flops, jeans and an orange shirt unbuttoned to mid-chest. Clerkin, who was heading to a charity dinner after the party, was decked out in a crisp tuxedo. Shaggy flirted with female fans and sipped on a Malibu CMV - which blends Domecq's new mango rum with Courvoisier, its signature cognac. Clerkin mixed Sprite into the mango spirit and stood around with his wife. Still, the two men had a bonding moment after Shaggy introduced Malibu Mango and Malibu Pineapple, telling guests: "This stuff is good." Clerkin leaned in to shake the singer's hand and liked what he smelled. "Are you wearing aftershave or cologne?" he asked. "I've been looking for a new one." "It's Bernini," Shaggy said, endorsing his second product of the night. Perhaps the Italian men's wear and fragrance retailer is looking for an "easygoing" spokesman, too?Source: http://news.ft.com |