Ayu's Panasonic contract over?

[Larien]

Originally Posted by Bigtop

I think Ayu's way too busy, that's why. I think now her interests are far different that the past, that's what I am seeing. This year's Ayu has been a DIFFERENT Ayu since the past; now she's more mature, and at a time like this, I think it was a good decision for Panasonic.
(see: http://panasonic.jp/products/digital.html)

I can agree that it's a good decision for Panasonic, because while it's nice to have a recognizable figure as your spokesperson/the face of your brand, and to keep that face regular, as a marketing strategy, Ayu is probably no longer right for them.
That said, for Ayu, I think this is quite the loss without a backup. It's very important for any artist to keep themselves marketable and to keep their face out there in the public eye. In today's music industry, even today's world, if you aren't constantly appearing (as Ayu is wont to do, working too hard!), people will forget about you, and you'll fall by the wayside. This seems to happen a lot to Korean artists who spend too much time promoting overseas, trying to break out in Japan or the US, and neglecting their Korean fanbase for many years.
Anyway, I'll be interested to see what contract Ayu can secure next!