***1245pm Eastern update: Laura Ingraham has phoned the Verizon exec I mentioned below, John Harrobin, to come on her show to discuss Akon…apparently, he took a half-day off today and won’t be back until next Wednesday…stay tuned and keep up the pressure for accountability…***

Calling Verizon Wireless exec John Harrobin…anyone home?

***

Check this out. Rapper/singer/whatever Akon is a “featured artist” at Verizon Wireless:

Yes, thanks to Verizon, you can download the explicit version of such classic Akon hits as “Bananza:”

Hey ladies drop it down
Just want to see you touch the ground
Don’t be shy girl go Bananza
Shake ya body like a belly dancer

Hey ladies drop it down
Just want to see you touch the ground
Don’t be shy girl go Bananza
Shake ya body like a belly dancer

Is Verizon Wireless out of its mind? As we reported at Hot Air yesterday, Akon is in deep doo-doo in Trinidad over his vulgar sexual molestation of a 15-year-old girl during one of his trademark “performances.” The incident is being investigated by police authorities in Trinidad and the country’s prime minister has condemned the performer and his posse. I suggest Verizon Wireless executives watch the video, which was a hot topic on The Laura Ingraham radio show this morning:

Will Hillary apply her “Rutgers Pledge” to Verizon Wireless?

Where’s Obama?

Will Al Sharpton name names and target Akon in his march against hip-hop today?

***

Verizon is just one of Akon’s many corporate enablers. As I note in the Hot Air report, Akon appeared on Fox’s American Idol recently and he’s currently on tour with Gwen Stefani. It’s the decision by Verizon Wireless to market his explicit lyrics and songs–and quotes like this one from a top Verizon Wireless exec–that put the company at the top of the pressure list:

“Akon has emerged as one of the world’s most compelling and exciting stars,” stated Vice President of Marketing and New Media for Verizon, John Harrobin. “His commitment to his artistry and the community enables us to take our partnership with music industry innovators in yet another direction by collaborating on this unique TV advertising campaign.”

“Artistry?!”

Are you a Verizon Wireless customer wondering why the company is promoting vulgar, misoygnist trash? The customer relations phone number is 1-800-483-7988. [Update: that's the land service. The right number is 866-673-9561.] Ask the company to do the right thing.

***

MM.com reader and Laura Ingraham listener Irma e-mails Verizon’s code of conduct:

Verizon’s Code of Conduct

Verizon is proud of its leadership and reputation as a world-class company that is committed to the highest ethical standards. Our Verizon roots have a long history of commitment to integrity and respect. The corporation’s commitment to those standards and values is defined in Verizon’s Code of Conduct.

We are pleased to share our Code of Conduct (134 KB .pdf) to let our customers and all of our business partners know that integrity and respect serve as the overarching principles for how Verizon conducts its business. Our goal is to be the most respected brand in communications by making and keeping promises to our customers, our communities, our shareholders, and our employees. The Verizon Commitment and Values, which appears on the inside cover of our Code of Conduct, highlights these commitments.

If you want to submit an inquiry or complaint to the Office of Ethics and Business Conduct, please call the VZ Ethics and EEO GuideLine at 800 856-1885 (800 968-4586 TTY) or visit www.verizonguideline.com.

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