INDONESIA: Alicia Keys ditched sponsorship by cigarette company ahead of first concert in Jakarta

Record ID: 1484816

  • Title: INDONESIA: Alicia Keys ditched sponsorship by cigarette company ahead of first concert in Jakarta
  • Date: 7th August 2008
  • Summary: JAKARTA, INDONESIA (JULY 31, 2008) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF CONCERT'S VENUE SIGN READING 'ALICIA KEYS AS I AM TOUR 2008' (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) CONCERT ORGANISER RINNY NOOR SAYING: "It is not a big problem. She came instead," (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) CONCERT GOER JEDI SAYING: "That is good. She holds her principles. Few people has that kind of principles. I a
  • Embargoed: 22nd August 2008 10:24
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Indonesia
  • Country: Indonesia
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVA7896SCERIME7UZ58NZYKV3UO2
  • Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  • Story Text: R&B singer Alicia Keys who is in worldwide tour "As I am" made her first appearance in Jakarta.
    The 27-year-old singer earlier apologised to her fans when she discovered that her concert was sponsored by tobacco firm Philip Morris. In a statement, Keys apologized for "any misleading advertising initially associated with the show." The singer immediately asked for an investigation and that corrective actions be taken, statement said.
    The Indonesian unit of Philip Morris International has pulled promotional material with cigarette branding for a concert it is sponsoring by Alicia Keys after complaints from anti-smoking campaigners.

    "It is not a big problem. She came instead," said Rinny Noor, organiser of concert about the withdrawal of the tobacco firm from sponsorship.
    Fans welcome her move.

    "That is good. She holds her principles. Few people has that kind of principles. I appriciate her," said fan Jedi, 27.
    Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids sent letters to Keys and to Philip Morris Chief Executive Louis Camilleri requesting the withdrawal of the cigarette firm's sponsorship of the concert.
    Fans came from all over Indonesia and neigbouring countries like Malaysia and Singapore with tickets sold between USD 83 to USD 330. The artist performed several songs like 'Teenage Love Affair', 'Like You'll Never See Me Again' included hit song "No One" in a full-house concert. She also played piano during the one-hour show.
    Keys' tour, to promote her chart-topping album "As I Am," the album debuted on record charts at No. 1 and has sold over 3 million copies.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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