Diageo, the leading producer of premium alcoholic beverages, has cited claims of sexual assault against hip-hop mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs as part of their renewed efforts to keep him away from advertising their tequila brand.
The allegations against Diddy stem from an interview with Georgette Hill, an artist who claims she was sexually assaulted by Diddy in the 1990s while on tour with the musician. Since the emergence of the accusations, Diageo has been closely keeping an eye on the situation and now, through a statement released to the public, they’ve expressed their continued stance that he should not be associated with their tequila brand.
“While we are not directly connected to the allegations concerning Sean Combs, we don’t feel that he is an appropriate figure to join us in our campaigns for the tequila. Our brand mission is to take a stand for what’s right and we cannot condone any type of allegations of sexual misconduct,” the statement declared.
The move by Diageo is seen as part of their wider efforts to take a stand against sexual abuse and other issues of inequality. The company made headlines earlier this year after they announced a $1 million donation in order to “support survivors of sexual assault, particularly those from our communities of color and those living in underserved communities.”
Clearly, Diageo sees the situation surrounding Diddy as an opportunity to set an example. While the claims against the producer remain disputed, the statement from Diageo makes clear where the company stands: they will not be associated with anyone accused of sexual misconduct. It’s a strong message that no company is willing to tolerate any form of abuse and that there must be strict consequences, no matter who it’s directed towards.
