Adventures in Candyland

I probably shouldn’t - because its horrible to give this any further attention - but I just have to say…are you kidding about Jamie Lynn Spears?!

You already know how we feel about this country’s current celeb-obsessed culture (we’ve made it pretty clear in the posts below), in fact we’re so sick to death of it that we’ve taken a months-long sabbatical from celeb gossip. But news of Brittney’s 16 year-old sister being a mama-to-be has even driven Lauren back to PerezHilton.com for some insider info and humorous commentary. I mean this is truly like watching a train wreck.

Poor Jamie Lynn…she was the good one (well at least when compared to her psycho older sister)! And with a fanbase of 8-12 year girls, you would think her handlers would keep her in check. Oh wait - her “handler” is none other than her very own mother, whom Jamie Lynn says is a role model for having raised three wonderful kids. In fact, Jamie Lynn plans to model her own mothering skills after those of Lynn. Uh - need we say more?

Usually when we meet with prospective clients, they want to know how we can connect them to celebrities.  Can we get Lindsay to carry their bag?  Can we get Bradley Whitford to emcee their charity event?  We often wonder if this is because we’re in LA, where everyone is so celeb-obsessed (though logically it should be the opposite - Angelenos should be sick of celebs!) or if it is just our culture in general.

And, we often caution against going this route - there are plenty of other ways to raise awareness about a product, and even about a charity, that do not involve celebrities.  Why do we do this?  Yes, our connections are limited and we can’t call upon them for every client, but more importantly, celebs are unpredictable.  While some celebrities might be the perfect fit for your brand, others can tarnish it as easily as bolster it; they can be flighty; they can be divas…I could go on. 

I read this in AdAge today and was reminded of the frustration we feel when clients ask about celebs before any other strategy.  Celebrities can be a part of your communications mix, but don’t count on them to make your brand - they’re just as likely to break it.    

Is anyone else sick of celebrities?  Of course, I used to check out perezhilton.com everyday, that was until I started my own business.  Now, I barely have time to read my email let alone pay attention to what some rude, blobby gossiper has to say about self-obsessed people who believe what they have to say is more intellectual and insightful than Pulitzer Prize winners.  Umm…hello, Tom Cruise. But, even if I did have the time, I wouldn’t spend it reading about someone leaving the Ivy.  

I only bring this up because I opened the LA Times online one night last week, and the first thing I see is Posh and Becks.  You know, the two platinum Brits who are being fawned over by the entire city of LA. Boy, is this a superficial city (not like that’s a shock or anything).  But, can these two really love each other?  Is it possible?  Or are they just two marketing entities that work together to produce this odd pop star/athlete money-making combo.  I mean how can he love her really – she always looks pissed off.  Ironically, she probably thinks she looks chic.  

I don’t know…I guess I just feel like celebrity culture is so oversaturated and its overrun people’s individuality.  That’s why it frustrates me when clients are so interested in getting their products to and on celebrities.  They think it’s the only way to get their product noticed and purchased.  I know it helps, but there are other ways that don’t have you begging some high school dropout to say they like your product. 

I know and hope it’s only a matter of time before people will flip again and they’ll decide they like something because they like it, not because some drug-addled, pregnant, anorexic girl does.