Leica's found their slice of the market here.
This really isn't an example of a bad idea, it's just not well thought out execution.
The PR photo and the copy that goes with it doesn't do anyone justice.
Seal is a wonderfully nice man, and a passionate, good photographer.
I'm not a celebrity type of guy, but I know him, have spent time with him, talk to him with some regularity and he really does love photography and though this PR photo kind of looks cheesy, it isn't reflective of the person or the talent and I promise you at his pay grade, a free camera isn't that high on the list.
He does love the Leicas, has about every m lens made, visits their factory when on tour and if anything was probably just helping them out.
If it was just for PR or money, there are much larger brands he could lend his name to.
Still this is an example of just rushing out any PR and advertising without a lot of thought. If it was planned and they allowed Seal or anyone that could/would use this camera to shoot some pretty images, it would have a lot more validity and not come across the way it did.
I am always amazed at how poorly specialty cameras companies market and advertise. If you ever saw that silver brochure with the article on Arthur Elgort and the dmr you'd never dream of buying a Leica, which is a shame and once again it's not indicative of the talent.
I know from Seal's photography, you could make a coffee table book of images he has produced with all types of m series cameras and that should have been the message, not this PR image.
BC