REDWOOD CITY, CA. (Top40 Charts/ Zazzle) - Zazzle, the only on-demand, online retail platform to offer billions of products that ship in 24 hours, today announced a strategic online distribution deal with hip hop icon Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, and his Disturbing tha Peace (DTP) record company.
DTP Records is one of today's hottest joint venture boutique labels with an artist roster that includes Grammy award-winning artist Ludacris, multi-platinum selling Chingy, Playaz Circle,
Bobby Valentino, Field Mob, Lil Fate, Willy Northpole, Shareefa, Steph Jones, Brolic, Small World, I-20, Serius Jones.
Under the deal, Ludacris and DTP will have a merchandise gallery on Zazzle displaying an infinite selection of ready-to-order and customizable products where fans can put their personal style on official Ludacris and DTP artist merchandise which will benefit a variety of charities throughout the year in support of World Aids Month during December, Black Music Month in June and Breast Cancer Awareness in October.
The preferred apparel provider for the charitable merchandise is Zazzle's strategic partner edun LIVE, the socially conscious brand created by Ali Hewson and Bono to drive sustainable employment to sub-Saharan Africa through high volume sales of blank t-shirts. All shirts are 100% "grow-to-sew" African in order to bring trade to these impoverished regions at every step of the value chain.
Merchandise available from the Ludacris and DTP gallery debuts with a t-shirt line targeted to ethically sound campaigns that are important to Ludacris and DTP. Ludacris wore the first series of shirts from Zazzle and edun LIVE merchandise on his recent tour of South Africa which included an appearance at Mr. Nelson Mandela's 46664 World Aids Day concert on December 1.
All products available for purchase or customization will be viewable through Zazzle's innovative Model Realviews technology with the products being displayed in full 3D images. In addition, through Zazzle's innovative Dark Apparel 2.0 technology, Ludacris and DTP fans are able to have their favorite designs on with the highest quality printing available for dark apparel.
"Ludacris is not only a hip hop pioneer and prolific actor, but he is an incredibly socially conscious individual who wants to raise awareness and do good with his celebrity status," said James Heckman, Chief Strategy Officer, Zazzle. "We are thrilled to be his on-demand merchandise partner to further help get his message to fans, and enable his fans all over the world to buy and customize merchandise that further support his causes."
"Teaming with Zazzle and edun LIVE is incredible as it enables me to bridge my music with the important causes I want to raise awareness for all over the world," said Ludacris. "This is a perfect union as their online and on-demand platform allows fans to get products regardless of where they are, and at the same time enables fans to do something good with the purchase of a t-shirt."
"Being chosen as the preferred apparel partner for Ludacris' charitable designs is wonderful, and we are thrilled to help support his endeavors while also raising awareness for consumers to be globally responsible when making choices for merchandise," said Christine Driscoll, Business Development Manager of edun LIVE. "Knowing and thinking about where merchandise comes from is important - it's power in your pocket - together with Zazzle, DTP Records and Ludacris, we hope to further carry that important message."
Zazzle and its strategic distribution partners allow an unprecedented reach to millions of music fans through the Zazzle marketplace, MySpace, Facebook, Ludacris and DTP artist fan sites, blogs, and more.
