Abercrombie & Fitch has made Michael "The Situation" Sorrentino an offer that it hopes the "Jersey Shore" cast member can't refuse, saying the reality star would receive "a substantial payment" if he stopped wearing the company's clothes.
The offer also extends to the MTV hit's other personalities as well, but The Situation is the only one called out by name.
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Abercrombie & Fitch's bribery ploy becomes more curious when you consider that, just last summer, Abercrombie & Fitch was selling T-shirts labelled "The Fitchuation."
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Investors weren't enthused by Abercrombie & Fitch's bodacious offer. Its stock has dropped more than 9 percent so far Wednesday, the first trading day after news about the company's PR stunt went viral.
The company released the following statement on Aug. 12:
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We are deeply concerned that Mr. Sorrentino's association with our brand could cause significant damage to our image. We understand that the show is for entertainment purposes, but believe this association is contrary to the aspirational nature of our brand, and may be distressing to many of our fans. We have therefore offered a substantial payment to Michael 'The Situation' Sorrentino and the producers of MTV's The Jersey Shore to have the character wear an alternate brand. We have also extended this offer to other members of the cast, and are urgently waiting a response.