Pharrell Williams and Reebok Agree to End Partnership
Last
month, Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes hit Reebok with a $4 million
lawsuit for allegedly breaching their contract to manufacture and
produce Williams’ Billionaire Boys Club clothing and Ice Cream sneaker
lines. On Tuesday, January 18th, the two parties mutually agreed to end
their footwear and apparel licensing agreement, but Reebok will continue
to sell the Ice Cream footwear at retail until June 30th, 2005. Williams
will announce his new plans for the clothing and sneaker line in the
coming weeks.
Reebok’s Chief Marketing Office Dennis Baldwin said in a released
statement, “Pharrell and Reebok are parting ways as friends with a
mutual understanding and respect that Reebok’s strategy and his strategy
for the design and distribution of Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream
were simply different. Although we would have liked for this venture to
have been more successful, in the end, we both realize that the design
and distribution fit just wasn’t there….We both agree that the door is
open for future opportunities to work together.”
Williams added, “Reebok and I both understand we have very different
visions for my clothing line, BBC, and my sneaker line, Ice Cream. I
have learned a great deal doing business with Reebok, and it has a been
a great experience. I am pleased that we can part ways amicably and am
excited to launch my line independently.” -Playahata.com
