50 Cent raps deal with local biz

CLEARWATER — As Seen On TV, a local direct response marketing company, entered a partnership with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, a rapper and actor currently involved in a lawsuit against another Gulf Coast business.

As Seen On TV, through its subsidiary TV Goods, signed a deal with SMS Audio, the manufacturer of a line of headphones designed by Jackson. Clearwater-based As Seen On TV, according to a release, now holds exclusive distribution rights for SMS Audio to major live TV shopping networks, including QVC and QVC.com. SMS Audio plans to introduce new additions to the 50 Cent headphone line on QVC Nov. 10 and Nov 11, the release states.

“We have worked diligently with the SMS Audio team since the initial launch in December 2011,” As Seen On TV CEO Steve Rogai says in the statement, “and are very excited about the prospects of the entire product line appearing on QVC.”