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

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. 

As seen on People.com

The acceptance of homosexuality in Hollywood has come a long way in the past decade.  From Ellen Degeneres, to Lance Bass, T.R. Knight and Neil Patrick Harris, the embracing of gay celebrities by the media has worked in their favor to bolster their careers.

If proclaiming his homosexuality to the world wasn’t enough, sticking his never-before-seen son on his arms was a priceless decision of his publicists.  As seen by the recent covers of Ok! magazine and US Weekly,  a newborn celebrity baby picture sells.  Therefore, by coupling the brief, direct headline with the money shot, Clay Aiken’s status may have jumped from the C to perhaps the B-list.

Is any publicity good publicity?  I believe that coming out to the public has proven to be a positive form of public relations that has, in turn, enhanced the careers of fading stars. 

Take Lance Bass from the boy-band ‘N Sync.  Two years after ‘N Sync broke up, Lance Bass had practically fallen off the face of the planet.  However, coming out in July 2006 on the cover of People magazine re-launched his career.  From Hairspray on Broadway, to appearances in blockbluster hits including Tropic Thunder and I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry,  Lance’s public ‘outing’ proved to help his career.

Another case study from the past to consider is the former child doctor, Neil Patrick Harris. Known simply as NPH by his fans, Harris’ career has been a roller coaster for the past 15 years after Doogie Howser, MD was canceled.   After a series of flopping films, Harris came out to the public on the cover of People magazine in November 2006.  Since then he has been nominated for two Emmy Awards, a People’s Choice Award and a Teen Choice Award for his supporting role on the hit comedy How I met Your Mother.  Is the sudden upturn of events a coincidence or the result of much needed publicity?

As the past has proven, coming out in Hollywood is positive publicity. Furthermore, coming out on the cover of one of America’s top weekly publications is even better.  The top responsibility of Aiken’s publicist is to book as many primetime interviews and magazine covers as possible.  This will ensure that Aiken’s press worthy story doesn’t fade in the light of other events.

It is no doubt that society has been affected by the recent glorification of pregnancy in Hollywood.  The art of spinning a potentially career-threatening event like an unplanned pregnancy into a blissful miracle is starting to become second nature for many celebrity publicists.

One can argue that it is the publicists’ job to help stars maintain a positive image.  But how much influence does a public relations professional have on the moral values and ideals of America?  

Does a cover shot and eight page spread in OK! magazine positively spin the fact that Jamie Lynn Spears got pregnant at the age of 16?  Furthermore, do the designer baby clothes and ornately decorated nurseries lend the belief that shopping for, and potentially having a baby, can be fun – at any age?  

Of course being truthful and transparent with information is a core belief to a publicist, but when does the spinning become inappropriate and dangerous to society?  Does omitting the fact that these young celebrity mothers’ lofty salaries let them afford numerous nannies and additional help, prove to be unethical?  

According to a CBS News article, the rate of teenage pregnancies in America rose sharply in 2006 for the first time in 15 years.  So the question really comes down to- does the glamorization of pregnant teenage stars cause the influx in pregnancies,  or are young celebrities simply reflecting society’s current trend?

For Jessica Simpson, winning over country music fans could take a little more than a flannel shirt, daisy dukes and designer cowboy boots.  Simply stated, country fans are just not buying it.  

From the boos and heckles at her debut country performance at the Country Thunder USA Festival this summer, to the negative reviews of her Grand Ole Opry appearance earlier this week, the country community is turning their back to the native Texan. 

On paper, Simpson is perfect for the traditional country fan. As you can see from Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift and the legendary Dolly Parten, it’s nearly undisputable that the blond bombshell look sells. Similarly, like past country artists, her Texan heritage gives her believable ties to the South. 

Furthermore, when it comes to the traditionally conservative nature of country musicians, the teenage Simpson from the ’90s was a perfect fit.  Not only was she the daughter of a preacher, but she was outspoken about saving herself for marriage. However, one reality show and failed marriage later, her transition into a Hollywood socialite is hard for country fans to swallow.

Perhaps Simpson and her stylist have confused the audience of her movie “The Dukes of Hazzard” with that of the country music crowd.  Believe it or not, country singers are not all clad in flannel and cutoffs.  In fact, wearing a western pearl snap shirt and daisy dukes on the cover of Elle magazine, a publication that targets the opposite of country fans, is mockingly insulting. 

Simpson is clearly having an image crisis. Do current country superstars like Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift parade around the stage looking like an extra to a Western X-rated movie? I think not.  Underwood and Swift’s fashion and image have evolved as country music has evolved.  No longer is Dolly Parton with her scantily clad outfits, disproportional body and teased hair an image of beauty. Today it’s the girl-next-door beauty that is turning heads in the country world. This is what I like to think of as the ‘believable’ pretty, hence it doesn’t involve pounds of makeup, a girdle and a gallon of hairspray. 

Not only does the publicist of Simpson need to steer away from overcompensating for her twang-less country voice with overtly western attire, but she needs to respect the conservative nature of the audience.  For example, last week Simpson made her first appearance at the Grand Ole Opry in a skin-tight, low-cut dress that left little to the audience’s imagination.  If the over-the-top, flashy getup wasn’t enough, the near ’warddrobe malfunction’ was the force that pushed some critics over the edge.   

“I think she should have put some clothes on,” one viewer said. While another one responded to how she liked Simpson’s performance with: “I loved that new girl, Crystal [Shawanda] – and she was dressed appropriately.”

My recommendation to Simpson and her publicist is to try to understand her audience.  Although she is new to country music, she is not new to the South.  Personally, as a Texan resident and country fan, her sexualized version of country music is insulting.  Country is about the lyrics, the quality of voice and the passion in the song.  The best of country music occurs when a singer is stripped of background vocalist and elaborate sound equipment.  To convince Nashville and the rest of country fans that Simpson is the real deal,  cover the cleavage, throw on a t-shirt and take the stage with only a guitar in hand. Let her talent -assuming she has some- do the convincing.