"I don't know what's wrong with the African-American consumer in some urban areas," Spike Lee said.

The authors of the study found that on average, African-American and Hispanic consumers pay 2 percent more, or about $500 on the average car, than white male consumers.

People who don't know this market are better off not messing around with African-American consumers.

Other corporations that have experienced a strained relationship with African-American consumers have paid a price.

Everything in the magazine was addressed to the African-American consumer.

Procter's intensified interest in African-American consumers comes after it increased advertising intended for Spanish-speaking consumers.

Previous campaigns aimed at Asian-American and African-American consumers were handled piecemeal by various agencies.

Now, Wrigley's marketing department is more interested in the urban and African-American consumers that the sisters can help them reach when commercials begin airing this summer.

"They wished they had a vehicle to let the African-American consumer know they exist," he said in a phone conversation from his Harlem office.

Stores feature an upscale white and silver design scheme and a high-end sound system that appeals to its target 17-year-old African-American consumer.