I presume whatever deal was signed it was signed for the benefit of both parties. I'd reckon there would be as much give and take on both sides. If he's promoting a guitar or range of them, I'd imagine they'd still have some push on him. He might be mega-successful and could promote any brand but not all brands would want him, just as he wouldn't want all other brands.
I don't really see him signing up to play a few riffs at a few Gibson organised events as him being a puppet. If they told him how to record music for his band fair enough but to me, a few little promos is not really that much different to the guitarists who have played the national anthem at baseball games. Whatever this deal is it's been lucrative enough for Dave to be seen without his signature V, it makes me wonder just what other things got over the line before signatures were penned.
I wonder if Jnr just opens his mouth and words fall out. I suppose in some ways it's good to see the guy talking about anything but the same old topics, but with everything he's talked about lately I wonder if he does know or is just making shit up and no one's reading.