Rick Chambers & Associates, LLC
Strategic Communications
  • Home
  • What We Offer
  • Guiding Values
  • Blog
  • Books
  • Contact Us

When Celebrity Endorsements Matter -- Or Don't

10/12/2012

 
Picture
Image: Freedigitalphotos.net
If there were something I was going to endorse, it would probably be something like sneakers. – Justin Timberlake, singer/actor


Since the birth of celebrity—which, history tells us, goes back to the scandal-prone Roman gods—famous people have been used to endorse things. From Lily Lantry and Pear Soap more than a century ago, to Bill Cosby and Jell-O Pudding, to William Shatner and Priceline, marketers believe the public cares about what celebrities care about—and that translates into product sales.

What’s been interesting, and at times disturbing, to watch is the growing trend of celebrity endorsements for political candidates. Of course, American stars have as much right to support an office-seeker as anyone else. And their involvement certainly generates discussion.

Whether it’s constructive discussion, or whether celebrity endorsement has real meaning … well, those things are up for debate.

The latest—certain to sway undecided voters, um, never—comes from celebrity train wreck Lindsay Lohan, who has endorsed presidential hopeful Mitt Romney. Perhaps slightly more helpful to Romney was a thumbs-up from actress Stacey Dash, who starred in the 1995 film Clueless. It wasn’t a good experience for Dash, though, as her GOP cheer earned her swift condemnation from Tinsel Town. (I wonder if Scott “Happy Days” Baio got as much grief when he supported Romney?)

Meanwhile, President Barack Obama is scoring more A-list endorsers, including the incredibly influential Oprah Winfrey, whose blessing is good for a million votes, according to one study. George Clooney’s fundraising dinner  last May generated $15 million for the President’s re-election war chest. And the geek vote was secured by none other than Mark “Luke Skywalker” Hamill, who compared Obama to Star Wars wise man Obi-Wan Kenobi.

From a public relations standpoint, celebrity endorsements are meaningful when the stars clearly articulate their reasoning. People want to feel connected to their favorite celebs, so they find value in hearing a star explain his or her thoughts in an honest and personal way.

Unfortunately, a lot of these endorsements are more about association, or even personal publicity, than about heartfelt support. We all know Michael Moore—who is an entertainer, not a journalist—will endorse a Republican candidate just as soon as the validity of porcine flight is scientifically proven. His blustering does little to generate real, thoughtful discussion, and a lot to get his mug on TV. Likewise, porn star Jenna Jameson revealing (sorry) she’s a Romney fan doesn’t engender civil discourse. The advent of social media has made it even easier for obscure “whatever-happened-to?” personalities to get a moment back in the spotlight.

Celebrity endorsements won’t be going away, so it rests with the general public to weigh such cheerleading with care. For political PR, a great many headaches can be avoided if celebrities who rally around a candidate or cause are prepared to be open, honest and specific about their support.



Comments are closed.
    Picture

    Rick Chambers

    Rick is the owner and president of Rick Chambers & Associates, LLC.

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    December 2021
    September 2021
    April 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012

    Categories

    All
    Accuracy
    Code Of Ethics
    Communication Ammo
    Communications
    Digital News
    Fairness
    Firefly
    Integrity
    Internal Communication
    Lie
    Loyalty
    Matt Friedman
    Media Relations
    Pr
    Print News
    Prsa
    Public Relations
    Radiance
    Recognition
    Sean Williams
    Serenity
    Spin
    Star Trek
    Star Trek Phase Ii
    Tanner Friedman
    Truth

    RSS Feed

About Us

Rick Chambers & Associates, LLC, brings a solid track record of strategic, diverse, objective-based communications and public relations services. RC&A works closely with clients to understand their business, develop stakeholder relationships, build meaningful dialogue and help share their stories effectively.

Picture
Rick Chambers & Associates, LLC
1514 Kingsbury Drive
Portage, MI 49002-1664
USA
269.873.5820
info@rickchambersassociates.com