Celebrity reputation management is a big business in Hollywood and New York, with stars spending significant time and resources to protect their images. However, this industry often tolerates dishonesty, citing that entertainment is a frivolous pursuit with low stakes.
The author, Elizabeth Spiers, has seen the effects of celebrity PR tactics firsthand. She co-founded Gawker in 2002, which initially covered well-known New Yorkers. Her site faced a cease-and-desist letter from an entertainment lawyer who attempted to silence her over an unflattering story about one of his clients.
Recently, actress Blake Lively filed a legal complaint against Justin Baldoni, her “It Ends With Us” director and co-star, for sexual harassment and retaliation. Spiers noticed that Lively appeared hostile towards a reporter in a video clip before the news broke out. The author suspects that this was part of a smear campaign orchestrated by PR firm hired by Baldoni to damage Lively’s reputation.
Reputation management is a lucrative industry, with celebrities spending more on image protection than some high-profile executives or politicians. This ruthless business often prioritizes flattering stories over truth and can tarnish talent with the art of smears.
Spiers’ experience as a journalist and digital media strategist highlights the challenges faced by those in this field. Her insights offer a glimpse into the complex world of celebrity PR tactics, where the stakes are high and the consequences can be severe.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/26/opinion/blake-lively-justin-baldoni.html