Shaq partnership a slam dunk for TIP Solutions
Basketball great Shaquille O’Neal has joined Chicago-based software company TIP Solutions as a shareholder and global brand ambassador in another sign that celebrity tie-ups with tech companies remain popular. The deal comes just weeks after BlackBerry announced that it is parting ways with R&B singer Alicia Keys after a yearlong collaboration. BlackBerry (BBRY) signed Keys in January 2013 as its global creative director, but the partnership failed to help the Canadian company gain ground in the consumer smartphone market. The many celebrity appearances at the International Consumer Electronics Shows in Las Vegas earlier this month indicated that tech companies are still enamored of celebrity partnerships as a way to draw attention to their products and services. The 2014 CES saw pop star Will.i.am join 3D printer company 3D Systems (DDD) as its ” chief creative officer .” Also at CES, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson promoted SMS Audio, Motley Crue rocker Vince Neil …