Sean Combs’ New Fragrance Creates Huge Controversy In Conservative States

Article written by: Rodrick Rainey
Posted on: January 19, 2006

It’s now proven not everyone can get away with campaigns as sexually charged as Axe body spray.

Sean Diddy Combs’ ads for his new fragrance “Unforgivable” were so hot that many department stores, especially in the conservative Midwest and Bible Belt regions down south, refused to display the ads.

“This is wild. When they outlaw cable tv and do away with Abecrombie and Fitch’s lifestyle photos, I’ll take this for more than what it obviously is,” said URB1.COM’s chief of operations on certain locations banning Combs’ fragrance.

With the halt on advertising in those regions, in order to make the February launch date, a new slightly tamer ad had to be created.

The original ad for Diddy’s new fragrance has Combs lying in bed with two women, suggesting a mnage a trois scene. However, many fragrance ads are risqu, begging the question how much is too much?

Who has the “Too sexy ruler” to decide what is offensive and what is creative?

John Dempsey, global president of Estee Lauder said. “It was unfortunate that some people were so uncomfortable with so something with so much sexual presence, but we stand by it”.

The fragrance tested so well with consumers that department stores orders are still rolling in despite concern over steamy ads. Launching in February consumers can already start requesting tests of the fragrance at local cologne and perfume retailers.

URB1 Magazine is hoping to have fragrance sample inserts in the coming issues of URB1 magazine but is yet to be contacted back by Mr. Combs’ company for an organizing of the plan. Subscribe to URB1 Magazine at www.URB1Mag.com for the latest in Urban & Hip Hop Fashion events, news, and apparel!