Celebrities, Movie Stars & Entertainers Value Power Of Barter

Stars and celebrities increasingly are looking for barter arrangements that offer a bigger piece of the action. Here are some recent examples:

�         Ashton Kutcher has bartered for a minority stake in Popchips (a healthy snack-food maker), in addition to being named the company�s �President of Pop Culture.�

�         Lady Gaga has been named chief creative officer of Polaroid. She will be helping develop new products, in addition to her financial stake in the company.

�         Sarah Jessica Parker is the new chief creative officer of fashion brand Halston (owned by Hilco).

�         Ellen DeGeneres has a 15% stake in Halo Purely for Pets.

�         Several years ago rap artist 50 Cents cashed in on a barter deal (making millions) that he struck with Energy Brands Inc., maker of the Glaceau line of waters, including VitaminWater. (The company was later sold to Coca-Cola Company.)