Britney Spears, ‘N Sync Back Striking Ad Actors

Britney Spears and the members of 'N Sync have endorsed the strike by the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists (AFTRA) against advertisers. According to a joint statement issued on Monday (7/24), Spears has canceled a planned non-union commercial shoot for Clairol.

Both 'N Sync and Britney Spears promised that they would not participate in any additional commercial film shoots until the strike--now in its 86th day--is resolved.

Shortly after the strike began, Spears and 'N Sync drew the ire of SAG/AFTRA members by filming a McDonald's commercial in Canada. SAG and AFTRA members aren't picketing outside the U.S., so several advertisers have moved their commercial shoots to Canada.

Spears has an endorsement deal for Clairol's Herbal Essences shampoo line, which is sponsoring the teen singer's current tour, and she reportedly recorded 60-second radio spot for Clairol before the strike began in May.

Spears will donate $1 for each ticket sold to her June 30 concert at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, Calif., to the SAG Foundation, which will earmark the money for membership financial assistance. 'N Sync will donate $1 for each ticket sold to its July 29 show at New York's Madison Square Garden.

Striking union commercial actors are at odds with the Association of National Advertisers and the American Association of Advertising Agencies, which represent the advertising industry, over a pay dispute. The unions are particularly perturbed at an advertising industry plan to change the current pay structure--which compensates actors on the basis of how often an advertisement is aired--with a flat-rate structure.

Representatives of advertisers and striking actors had their first face-to-face meetings since April last week, but the talks quickly collapsed and no further negotiations have been scheduled.