Category Archives: Entertainment Publicity

Crisis Management In The Age Of Harvey Weinstein

Crisis Communications, Entertainment Publicity, Uncategorized, , , , ,

It seems like every day a new sexual harassment or assault story is hitting the news out of the entertainment industry, the world of the media, or the political world.  The names of celebrities who have been named keep climbing.  For the organizations that employed these people or were associated with them the question arises, how should they handle the ensuring crisis.  What should their crisis management be?

How an organization responds to such a crisis will have a great impact on its future.  They need to think about all stakeholders in their response – employees, shareholders, vendors, and the public.  At the same time, they should be conducting an internal audit to determine if any other bombshells about to drop.

When responding to an employee’s sexual misconduct, these are tips that organizations need to implement:

  1. Get out in front. When scandals such as we have seen since the Weinstein story broke, an organization cannot wait as far as responding to such a story.  Delay in responding loses several news cycles and the social media onslaught that arises.  It creates the image of complicity with the behavior or worse guilt.
  2. Show how the company is handling the situation internally. Just condemning despicable and perhaps criminal behavior by an employee is not enough.  The organization must show and demonstrate how they are ensuring that such behavior will not occur again by any employee and how they are investigating internally to see if this was an isolated case or if other employees were involved.
  3. Don’t ignore social media. Social media drives narratives.  We have seen this especially in the sexual harassment cases that are dominating the news.  Often the stories break on social media first.  Make sure that your organization is monitoring social media and if an employee is caught in such a story, that you address the social media world in your responses.  Too often this overlooked.

The sexual harassment and assault stories show no signs of abating.  Hopefully this will lead to a change in personal conduct.  But for businesses, as these allegations continue, it is essential that they know how to address such actions by members of their organization.

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How To Maximize A Red Carpet Event

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Red carpet events are a major component of any celebrity’s publicity campaign.  Almost daily the news is filled with images of celebrities at red carpet events.  From film premieres to record releases to award shows to charity events to art shows, these events are a major component of entertainment publicity.  Whether you are attending the event to promote your work or as a guest it is essential to maximize the event.

How can you do this?  By following some simple tips.

  1. Know the event.  Yes, we all know what the red carpet event is but as in everything, the devil is in the details.  You need to know the dress code, the carpet times (when it opens and closes), the purpose, and the host.
  2. Be prepared. Red carpet events can be unpredictable and sometimes chaotic.  Know that.  Reporters typically ask the same questions at these events – what brought you here; what are you working on now; and where can we find you (social media and website) – knowing this you can have you answers ready.
  3. Be on time. Red carpet events are only open for a certain period of time and the press doesn’t stay after the event has closed.  Some events will tell you when to be there others don’t give an exact time.  The best thing is to be at the event precisely when it starts or even a few minutes early.
  4. Take your time. Most red carpet events have a cushion time between participants.  Don’t rush through the event.  Your publicist will be there or the event will have a person assigned to you to announce you to photographers and reporters.  Just pace yourself and don’t rush.
  5. Be consistent with the brand you have established. You have worked hard to establish your personal brand. At the event be consistent with the image that you have developed.  That means in your answers, body posture, and attire be the person that you have branded.
  6. Utilize the media. The purpose of the event regardless of why you are attending is to promote your brand.  Reporters are the way to do this. Engage them when they interview you.  Answer all of the questions.  When doing this look at the reporter and not the cameras and fans about you.  That makes for a better interview.
  7. Utilize social media. The one thing many celebrities forget is the power of social media.  Tweet at the event.  Tag the event in all posts related to it.  Utilize pictures from the event on all social media channels.  In many ways, the social media aspect of the event will reach even more people than the traditional media aspect.

Red carpet events are a part of life for any celebrity and a key to successful publicity.  Avoiding mistakes and maximizing the events are critical for long term branding and success.