News: Pharell Williams Reaches Back

The Star Trak executive is in talks to build a computer resource center in his hometown, Virginia Beach, VA.

The economic development director for Virginia Beach, Don Maxwell, told The Virginian Pilot that the demographics, cost, and size of the project are still being figured out. But, Virginia Beach's City Council may get to review the deal as early as next month.

In addition, Williams is also negotiating with Apple and Microsoft to support the center and will utilize a local architect to design the building.

"One of these kids could be the next chemist for Pfizer," Williams said referring to the health care giant Pfizer Inc.

HP has started a campaign entitled the "Computer is Personal Again" and Williams has agreed to appear in the new spot. The campaign debuted with rapper/mogul/Def Jam president Jay-Z and has featured Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, U.S. Olympic, snowboarding gold medalist Shaun White and television executive Mark Burnett (The Apprentice, The Apprentice: Martha Stewart, On the Lot). All three spots will be available online prior to hitting major television networks.

We can also prepare for Williams highly anticipated solo release "In My Mind" to drop July 25.

The spot, like mogul Jay-Z's ad before it, features only Pharrell's voice and torso as he explains the virtues of his HP Pavillion notebook and scrubs virtually through various features like Tom Cruise's character in "Minority Report."

"We are seeing great interest in the number of blog links and online buzz created by the first two ad spots," said David Roman, the vice president of marketing communications, Personal Systems Group, HP, in a statement. "Online video sites and their prominence in the blog community are today's word of mouth, providing a very personal avenue to help HP reach an audience that doesn't necessarily respond to traditional media, but who will watch an ad online if it's been recommended by a well-liked blogger or their friend."

In the ad, Pharrell states: "I'm way into the whole retro gaming thing. I mean it takes me back to being a kid in Virginia Beach. ...I have my own pro skate team. I have photos of all these guys in here."

While he's speaking, Pharrell uses his hands as paddles to play the video game Pong, positions his arm diagonally as a skater speeds down its length and throws up his Star Trak hand sign.

In addition to Pharrell and Jay-Z, HP has filmed similar spots starring Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and snowboarder Shawn White.

Tonight, you can catch Pharrell, a.k.a. Skateboard P, on the "Tonight Show with Jay Leno." Friday, he'll perform on "Jimmy Kimmel Live."