Permabanned
2011:
Jersey Shore's The Situation offered cash not to wear Abercrombie & Fitch
US fashion brand offers to pay controversial reality star not to wear its clothes, fearing 'significant damage' to its image
Mark Sweney
@marksweney
Wed 17 Aug 2011
Fashion retailer Abercrombie & Fitch is reversing the normal rules of product endorsement by offering a "substantial" sum to Michael Sorrentino – AKA The Situation from MTV's Jersey Shore – not to wear its clothes.
The reality show's cast of "loud, foul-mouthed, hyper-groomed, spray-tanned, sex-obssessed" Italian-Americans have proved both a controversial ratings hit.
However, Abercrombie & Fitch has decided Jersey Shore's cocktail of sex, alcohol, bragging and bad behaviour is harming its "aspirational" brand image and "may be distressing to many of our fans".
Since launching in 2009 the MTV reality show – which recently spawned a UK version called Geordie Shore – has courted more than its fair share of controversy.
While several of the eight-strong cast have cashed in on endorsements - notably weight loss supplements, alcohol and tanning products – A&F would like Sorrentino, one of the most popular characters on the show, to switch to an "alternate brand".
Sorrentino – who goes by the nickname The Situation because, in his words, "everywhere I am there is a new situation" – is known for showing off his "six-pack" and flashing the A&F logo on his underwear.
Abercrombie & Fitch said that while it understood that Jersey Shore is an entertainment show it believed that its customers may be deterred from buying A&F clothing as a result of the negative brand association.
An A&F spokesman said: "We are deeply concerned that Mr Sorrentino's association with our brand could cause significant damage to our image. We have therefore offered a substantial payment to Michael 'The Situation' Sorrentino and the producers of MTV's Jersey Shore to have the character wear an alternate brand. We have also extended this offer to other members of the cast, and are urgently waiting a response."
It is not hard to see why A&F might want to distance itself from Sorrentino. He and his three male castmates introduced viewers to lifestyle habits they follow with religious conviction – such as "GTL", the daily routine of gym, tanning, laundry – and derogatory terms such as "grenade", to refer to an unattractive woman.
2023
The ex-CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch and his British partner face allegations of exploitation from men recruited for sex events they hosted around the world.
A BBC investigation found a highly organised network used a middleman to find young men for the events with Mike Jeffries and Matthew Smith.
Eight men told the BBC they attended these events, some of whom alleged they were exploited or abused.
Mr Jeffries and Mr Smith did not respond to requests for comment.
But the couple's middleman denied any wrongdoing and said men went into these events "with their eyes wide open".
Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) - which also owns the Hollister brand - said it was "appalled and disgusted" by the alleged behaviour.
Two former US prosecutors who independently reviewed documents and testimony uncovered by the BBC have called for an investigation to determine whether charges for sex trafficking could be brought. Under US law, sex trafficking includes getting an adult to travel to another state or country to have sex for money by using force, fraud or coercion.
Warning: This story contains descriptions of sexual acts
I'll let you read the sordid rest for yourselves if you so wish, I'm about to dine and these deviants turn my stomach:
Jersey Shore's The Situation offered cash not to wear Abercrombie & Fitch
US fashion brand offers to pay controversial reality star not to wear its clothes, fearing 'significant damage' to its image
Mark Sweney
@marksweney
Wed 17 Aug 2011
Fashion retailer Abercrombie & Fitch is reversing the normal rules of product endorsement by offering a "substantial" sum to Michael Sorrentino – AKA The Situation from MTV's Jersey Shore – not to wear its clothes.
The reality show's cast of "loud, foul-mouthed, hyper-groomed, spray-tanned, sex-obssessed" Italian-Americans have proved both a controversial ratings hit.
However, Abercrombie & Fitch has decided Jersey Shore's cocktail of sex, alcohol, bragging and bad behaviour is harming its "aspirational" brand image and "may be distressing to many of our fans".
Since launching in 2009 the MTV reality show – which recently spawned a UK version called Geordie Shore – has courted more than its fair share of controversy.
While several of the eight-strong cast have cashed in on endorsements - notably weight loss supplements, alcohol and tanning products – A&F would like Sorrentino, one of the most popular characters on the show, to switch to an "alternate brand".
Sorrentino – who goes by the nickname The Situation because, in his words, "everywhere I am there is a new situation" – is known for showing off his "six-pack" and flashing the A&F logo on his underwear.
Abercrombie & Fitch said that while it understood that Jersey Shore is an entertainment show it believed that its customers may be deterred from buying A&F clothing as a result of the negative brand association.
An A&F spokesman said: "We are deeply concerned that Mr Sorrentino's association with our brand could cause significant damage to our image. We have therefore offered a substantial payment to Michael 'The Situation' Sorrentino and the producers of MTV's Jersey Shore to have the character wear an alternate brand. We have also extended this offer to other members of the cast, and are urgently waiting a response."
It is not hard to see why A&F might want to distance itself from Sorrentino. He and his three male castmates introduced viewers to lifestyle habits they follow with religious conviction – such as "GTL", the daily routine of gym, tanning, laundry – and derogatory terms such as "grenade", to refer to an unattractive woman.
2023
The ex-CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch and his British partner face allegations of exploitation from men recruited for sex events they hosted around the world.
A BBC investigation found a highly organised network used a middleman to find young men for the events with Mike Jeffries and Matthew Smith.
Eight men told the BBC they attended these events, some of whom alleged they were exploited or abused.
Mr Jeffries and Mr Smith did not respond to requests for comment.
But the couple's middleman denied any wrongdoing and said men went into these events "with their eyes wide open".
Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) - which also owns the Hollister brand - said it was "appalled and disgusted" by the alleged behaviour.
Two former US prosecutors who independently reviewed documents and testimony uncovered by the BBC have called for an investigation to determine whether charges for sex trafficking could be brought. Under US law, sex trafficking includes getting an adult to travel to another state or country to have sex for money by using force, fraud or coercion.
Warning: This story contains descriptions of sexual acts
I'll let you read the sordid rest for yourselves if you so wish, I'm about to dine and these deviants turn my stomach:
Abercrombie & Fitch ex-CEO accused of exploiting men for sex
An organised network recruited men for sex with Abercrombie & Fitch’s then-CEO - BBC investigation.
www.bbc.co.uk
