When Prada Meets Politics
Are celebrity political advocates the real deal or are they just piggybacking on the hottest, most newsworthy topic of the season – the presidential election?
In regards to publicity, the answer to the question is that it doesn’t even matter. Because it is so late in the game, it would be unlikely that Barack Obama or John McCain would invite a celebrity to hold a rally for them or speak publicly on their behalf. Seldom do celebrities’ political statements stretch beyond a branded t-shirt or a sound bite from the red-carpet.
Because the media is oversaturated with celebrities sporting Obama clothing, it is important as a publicist to determine the believability of your client’s political claims.
More importantly, it is the publicist’s job to advise and monitor the negative messages their clients send to the media about the opposite party. Attacking the other candidate will do anything but enhance their public image.
Lindsay Lohan’s posting on her MySpace page is one such example of a political low-blow that backfired when she slammed vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin. Asking, “Is our country so divided that the Republicans best hope is a narrow minded, media obsessed homophobe?”
As if her outspoken statement wasn’t enough, she publicly offered to be a spokesperson for the Obama campaign- a request that was quickly denied by the Obama campaign.
Another celebrity who made a poor public relations decision is Madonna who announced before her performance at Madison Square Garden in New York City that, ““You know who can get off of my street? Sarah Palin! I’m gonna kick her a** if she don’t get off of my street!”
There is a huge difference between voicing your support for a candidate and bashing another. Not only was this an inappropriate time to voice her disgust towards Palin, but in doing do, her poor English proceeded to make her look unintelligent.
Although Madonna and Lohan are examples of poor public relations choices in regards to the election, there are a few celebrities whose support for candidates bolstered their career.
Take Halle Berry for example. She has been an activist for Obama since he announced his entry into the presidential race. Instead of bashing McCain or Palin, she focuses her media attention on highlighting Obama’s accomplishments and qualities that would make him a good president.
Her efforts have landed her in the limelight and recently on the cover of Esquire magazine as the “Sexiest Woman Alive.” Remaining true to her affiliations with the Democratic Party, Berry paid tribute to former President Clinton by reenacting an old cover shot of Clinton during his presidency.
With only a month left for celebrities to exploit a presidential candidate, it will be interesting to see what celebrity will jump on the bandwagon next.
Picture from Esquire.com
Booted From Latest Reality Show- Where Does Kardashian Go From Here?
The results are in. Kim Kardashian- known in Hollywood for a leaked sex tape and hit reality show- is the third to be voted off the latest season of Dancing with the Stars.
As one of the most publicized participants of this season, it seems as though her curvy figure didn’t carry her rendition of the rumba classic “You Give Me Something” into the hearts of the judges.
So with her stint on the popular reality show cut short, where does Kardashian go from here? Sure she starred in the poorly-rated film Disaster Movie along side Vanessa Minnillo in August of this year, but how does she reinvent herself as a member of the Hollywood community that stands beyond low budget films and reality television shows?
A suggestion to her publicist is to link Kardashian to a humanitarian cause. Preferably she should choose one that holds a place near to heart, as to increase her believability as a spokesperson.
Use the media tour she will embark on due to her early departure from Dancing with the Stars to get her voice heard. She will most likely hit all of the morning shows including Good Morning America, the Today Show and the Early Show. Instead of simply speaking on her failed attempt at dancing, refocus the interview to advocate for a foundation.
Which foundation should she choose? After some research, it appears that this past Tuesday, Sept. 30, was the five year anniversary of her father Robert Kardashian’s death due to esophageal cancer. The largest esophageal cancer foundation in the United States is currently the Esophageal Cancer Education Foundation (ECEF), and it appears that they do not have a spokesperson at the moment.
By speaking to the public about her personal loss of her father to esophageal cancer, she will help to raise awareness while softening her public image. In addition, by offering facts and prevention methods to fight this cancer, her image will turn from a ditzy reality show star to an informed, concerned patron.
