13627: Pure Stupidity From NIVEA.

Campaign reported NIVEA is red-faced over a Facebook post that prompted charges of racism by trumpeting: White Is Purity. The skin care company released the following statement:

“We are deeply sorry to anyone who may take offense to this specific post. After realising that the post is misleading, it was immediately withdrawn.

Diversity and equal opportunity are crucial values of Nivea. The brand represents diversity, tolerance, and equal opportunity.

We value difference. Direct or indirect discrimination must be ruled out in all decisions by, and in all areas of our activities.”

Okey-doke. But this isn’t the first time NIVEA has caught heat for its cultural cluelessness. Just ask Rihanna or any civilized Black man.

Nivea sorry for ‘white is purity’ Facebook ad

By Omar Oakes

Skincare brand Nivea has apologised for running a Facebook ad that ran the tagline “white is purity” and prompted accusations of racism.

The ad, for the Nivea invisible deodorant range, has since been deleted from Facebook.

Nivea, which has 19 million fans on its global Facebook page, was directed to Middle East social media users.

An image of a woman wearing a white bathrobe was accompanied by the tagline “white is purity”. Alongside the image, Nivea posted the message, “Keep it clean, keep bright. Don’t let anything ruin it, #invisible.

In a statement, Nivea’s owners Beiersdorf said it accepted the post was misleading and was immediately withdrawn in response to “concerns” about ethnic discrimination.

It went on to say, “We are deeply sorry to anyone who may take offense to this specific post. After realising that the post is misleading, it was immediately withdrawn.

“Diversity and equal opportunity are crucial values of Nivea. The brand represents diversity, tolerance, and equal opportunity.

“We value difference. Direct or indirect discrimination must be ruled out in all decisions by, and in all areas of our activities.”

11629: Turn To Stone With Rihanna.

From British GQ…

11519: Rihanna Too Racy For Mosque.

From The New York Post…

Rihanna kicked out of famed Abu Dhabi mosque over racy photos

The ‘Diamonds’ singer shocks visitors to Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque after posing for pics that didn’t mesh with ‘sanctity’ of religious site.

By Ethan Sacks / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Rihanna brought a little more instability to the Middle East.

The “Diamonds” singer was booted from the famed Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi over the weekend after posing for some photos that were racy by the standards of the holy site.

Though she covered up — by her standards — in a head-to-toe black form-fitting outfit, complete with a hijab headcovering, the 25-year-old pop star clearly didn’t get the memo on the spirit of Islamic law. In photos that were posted on her Instagram site, Rihanna could be seen posing in several provocative poses with lips pancaked in ruby red lipstick — a no-no for a society that stresses covering up women’s sexuality.

“She left without entering the mosque, after being asked to do so, due to the fact that she had taken some pictures that do not conform with the conditions and regulations put in place by the Centre’s management to regulate visits in a way that takes the status and sanctity of the mosque into consideration,” a representative for the mosque told local media outlets in a statement.

Not everyone was starstruck by the celebrity visitor.

“Rihanna pics at Sheikh Zayed mosque are disrespectful to the place of worship,” said one irate tweeter flagged by Al Arabiya.

The mosque spokesperson added that “the singer” came for a private tour to the mosque at a gate that is not meant for visitors — without identifying herself or coordinating the visit in advance.

The mammoth Sheikh Zayed Mosque is the largest religious center in the United Arab Emirates. Named after the late ruler of the country, it’s become one of the highest-profile mosques in the region since it opened in 2007.

Rihanna covered up for her concert in the United Arab Emirates’ capital Saturday night — a Bedouin inspired look she dubbed “Empress RiRi.”

11014: Covering Rihanna and Kate Moss.

10747: Overreaction Of The Week.

Is it only possible for Black women to appear on covers of national publications if they’re nekkid?

10406: Rihanna A No-No For NIVEA…?

NewsOne reported NIVEA CEO Stefan Heidenreich allegedly remarked that Rihanna was not a good fit for the brand. Maybe he thinks she isn’t civilized enough…?

Nivea CEO Allegedly Disses Rihanna, Implies She’s Not Proper Rep For Their Image

By Ruth Manuel-Logan

The sometimes raunchy, yet always sultry pop singer Rihanna may have been kicked to the curb as the face of the Nivea skincare products, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The seemingly non-stop party girl signed on to represent the popular and long-established company last year. Nivea even used Rihanna’s song, “California King Bed,” in a commercial. And, to take the situation a step further, Nivea even sponsored Rihanna’s tour. So why the about-face?

Nivea CEO Stefan Heidenreich reportedly told a German newspaper that the 24-year-old performer should have been a “no-go” from the start. He went on to say that, “I do not understand how to bring the core brand of Nivea in conjunction with Rihanna. Nivea is a company which stands for trust, family and reliability.”

What is Heidenreich reportedly implying about the superstar diva?

Are her wilding ways–partying like a rock star; sporting provocative attire or a lack there of; public problems with men—hurting her brand image? Rihanna’s lifestyle is all over the place and she has not slowed down or changed her stripes one bit.

The Nivea gig actually positioned Rihanna at the number 3 spot on the Forbes list of the highest paid celebs under 30, raking in an estimated $53 million from May 2011 to May 2012.

Though there’s no evidence that she has been formally ousted, Rihanna took to Twitter and responded with a photo of the new CEO with the cryptic comment, “No caption necessary.”

9397: Covering Rihanna.

Esquire’s Sexiest Woman Alive for 2011.

9199: Why Only Ask Blacks To Lead The Protest?

AdFreak created a readers’ poll asking if Rihanna should dump NIVEA in light of the Re-Civilize Yourself ad that drew accusations of racism. Seems like a stupid question to pose, although it was apparently inspired by online protests calling for the recording artist to tear up her endorsement contract. Hey, if Beyoncé is still collecting cash from L’Oréal, why should Rihanna be expected to relinquish her loot? More importantly, if there is indeed a stand to be made, why doesn’t anyone ask the White celebrity spokespeople to join the revolution too?

9196: The End Of Re-Civilization.

Wanted to toss a few additional barbs at the NIVEA fiasco.

First, the expected cries of overreaction provide clear evidence that our industry remains completely caught up in cultural cluelessness.

Second, as previously mentioned, the ad was created by Draftfcb. You know, the agency boasting a strong track record for producing offensive messages. Despite having its parent company’s Chief Diversity Officer once observe, “Homogeneous creative teams limit the number of idea combinations. They can also come up with some embarrassing creative.” This shop features a Black Employee Network and a President-CEO who regularly brags about the company’s commitment to inclusiveness—even though IPG CEO Michael Roth confessed, “Our industry has to do a better job of diversity and inclusion.” Draftfcb routinely collects ADCOLOR® Awards and preaches about the power of cross-cultural con artistry. But at the end of the day, the place churns out more ignorant, insulting and insensitive bullshit than all of the Whitest White advertising agencies on Madison Avenue combined. Re-civilize yourself indeed.

9194: GOOD Says NIVEA Is Bad. Racist Too.

Go check out GOOD for the details. But how could NIVEA be racist? Why, the brand is celebrating 100 years of skincare with Rihanna.

Update: AdFreak reported that NIVEA is apologizing for the ad. And guess what? The message was created by Draftfcb. No surprise there.

7420: Legolicious.

From The New York Daily News…

Staten Island brothers Dee, Ricky Jackson make Lego jewelry that’s been worn by Kanye West, Rihanna

By Simone Weichselbaum
Daily News Staff Writer

Two stylin’ Staten Island brothers are trying to build a fashion empire — brick by Lego brick.

Demetris (Dee) and Ricardo (Ricky) Jackson, both 23, sell bow ties, brooches and belt buckles made of the colorful kiddie blocks.

But these accessories are hardly child’s play — megacelebrities like Kanye West and Rihanna have been sporting the plastic fashion statements.

West is a fan of the $50 red heart brooch, made of 16 Lego bricks and connectors. And the bright yellow $75 belt buckles were a hit during Marc Jacobs’ runway show in spring 2008.

“I feel overwhelmed,” said Ricky Jackson, who looks just like his brother - and their sister, Laura.

The three Jacksons are triplets who were raised — and still live — in the Arlington Terrace Apartments, one of the roughest housing projects in the borough.

“I get inspiration from living here. Hopping on a bus to the ferry, I get to see what is going on,” said Dee Jackson.

The brothers sell their goods on their site, deeandricky.com, and some shops, including Kidrobot, have picked up their line.

Their life wasn’t always so much fun.

Their mom raised the triplets, plus three other siblings, while addicted to crack, relatives said. The chaos led the Jackson brothers to skip class and eventually drop out of Port Richmond High School in the 11th grade.

“I would have liked for them to stay in high school,” said their grandmother, Laura Thomas, 77, who lives with them.

“It is never too late to go back.”

The Jackson brothers have been too busy for class ever since a pal of Marc Jacobs spotted the duo at a 2007 Hamptons party and asked about their Lego wares.

Once their creations hit the runways, business started to boom.

“It is easier than dealing drugs,” joked Dee Jackson. “We are flipping bricks — Lego bricks.”

6997: LOL Cats.

Assorted idiots in a MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• A moron in Florida is blaming his cat for downloading child pornography on the man’s computer. There’s a pussy joke worth pursuing here.

• Wrigley dumped Rihanna assaulter Chris Brown from its celebrity spokesman roster. No word if the Doublemint Twins will charge that he also beat them with a stick. Of gum.

• An autopsy revealed Billy Mays had cocaine in his system, which led to his death in June. Wonder if they’ll keep running his commercials now. Or maybe introduce OxiClean & Sober.

• Former Democratic Congressman William Jefferson was found guilty of 11 of 16 corruption charges. He’ll definitely be cleaning out his refrigerator before heading to prison.

6876: Color Commentary On Brown.

From The New York Daily News…

Chris Brown plea deal in Rihanna beating sends bad message, say domestic abuse experts

By Carrie Melago
Daily News Staff Writer

Singer Chris Brown might have avoided jail time in his vicious attack on Rihanna, but domestic violence experts aren’t letting him off the hook so easily.

Advocates fear Brown’s plea deal, which gave him five years’ probation and community labor, is so cushy that it sends the wrong message to young men and victims.

“It sets a very poor example,” Roslyn Muraskin, director of the Long Island Women’s Institute, said Tuesday.

“This is a person who attacks a woman for no reason whatsoever and now gets away with the attack.”

Brown, 20, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of felony assault in the February attack on Rihanna after the couple left a Grammy party and fought over a text message.

After seeing pictures of Rihanna’s bruised and battered face, many initially figured Brown wouldn’t be able to avoid jail.

And now that he’s been spared from prison, experts fear other boys will expect leniency for abuse.

“Even Paris Hilton got more jail time!” National Organization for Women President Kim Gandy said in a statement.

“Young girls and boys watching this unfold on TV will see than men who commit violence against women practically go scot-free.”

Rita Smith, executive director of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, said Brown’s sentence is typical for first offenders — a problem since it might not be harsh enough to stop future attacks.

“I don’t think it’s enough of a consequence,” she said. “If we give them a break, we give them a shorter sentence or less consequence, it basically just says this wasn’t such a big deal.”

Advocates are particularly troubled about the impact of the sentence on the many middle and high school students who look up to Brown and Rihanna.

But Patti Occhiuzzo Giggans, executive director of Peace Over Violence, thinks Brown should get some credit for owning up to the crime.

“I think there was something refreshing about seeing a celebrity admit guilt. We don’t see that often,” she said.

6871: Botox, Booze & Beating The Rap.

Facing the news with a MultiCultClassics Monologue…

• The Miami Herald presented a report on the increase in Botox treatments and plastic surgery for older workers seeking to remain competitive in the job market. “Youth is becoming more and more emphasized in the workplace,” said Dr. Steven Pearlman. “The seasoned experts, once pictured in ads with lots of wrinkles, have been replaced by young go-getters with multiple degrees and the appearance of boundless energy.” Especially in Just For Men advertisements.

• In Illinois, Walgreens is putting booze back on the shelves. The drugstore chain had stopped selling liquor about 20 years ago, claiming it wasn’t profitable. Given that Walgreens recently reported significant profit drops, the place can at least expect big booze sales with their own accountants.

• Chris Brown copped a plea deal to stay out of jail for beating up Rihanna. Foxy Brown, Naomi Campbell and T.I. are all thinking, “WTF?”

6516: Black Eye Is Beautiful.

The Rihanna CoverGirl spread takes on new meaning with the recording artist’s personal problems. Top beauty hits can help conceal the effects of hits. And you can light up your eyes after you’ve been lit up by Chris Brown. Ouch.