Beyonce signs $50 million Pepsi deal

Beyonce has cemented her place as a top earning pop superstar by signing a lucrative deal with Pepsi worth an estimated $50 million.

The singer has previously appeared in adverts for the firm, but she has now stepped up her involvement with the company by becoming the face of the brand and giving Pepsi sponsorship for her albums, concerts, photoshoots and music videos.

Pepsi bosses will also provide a multi-million dollar fund for Beyonce to use to bankroll her own creative projects over the next few years, according to the New York Times.

Beyonce says in a statement, "Pepsi embraces creativity and understands that artists evolve. As a businesswoman, this allows me to work with a lifestyle brand with no compromise and without sacrificing my creativity."

Lee Anne Callahan-Longo, who runs Beyonce's Parkwood Entertainment company, insists the deal is more than just a regular brand sponsorship agreement, adding, "It's wise for a brand like Pepsi to give an artist the ability to truly express herself. Instead of just the old-school way of, 'Do you want to be in an advertisement?' This is much bigger. This is, 'How can we create something together that is truly unique?'"

Beyonce will collaborate with Pepsi on the upcoming 2013 Super Bowl half-time show, and an image of her face will be stamped on the side of limited edition cans due for release in the spring (13).

The singer's next album is due for release around the time of the massive televised concert in February (13).