The latest issue of the Financial Times’ weekly Creative Business supplement leads with a story on how supermodels such as Claudia Schiffer are attempting to beat the traditional limitations of their profession, i.e. ageism by building their personal brand.
“In reality, however, this shorthand (‘celebrity sells’) is a scribbled montage of press coverage, brand tie-ins and carefully controlled PR. (For this interview, Schiffer’s London PR agency originally asked for – and was immediately refused – copy and headline approval.)”
At least the journalist, Katja Hofmann, included the agency’s clumsy and ridiculous attempt to “manage” the story. All too often journalists don’t point out this practice. I can’t find the firm in question, so it would be great if she had published their name 🙂
Girls and boys, you don’t build relationships by trying to manipulate, strong arm or bluff people. Your days are coming to an end, how will you ever adapt to a world where you will have to communicate with people outside the media-sphere on a one-to-one basis?
The illusion of control is eroding. Understand how to communicate with people. That’s communicate not obfuscate.
Murphy's Law 