Celebrity endorsements are a staple in public relations and advertising. We all know the power of a celebrity. It’s simple, celebrity sells (even the Chicago Tribune knows this.) Consumers pay attention to celebrities because they are attracted to the familiar – even in a recession. Brands are always looking for a spokesperson to add to the credibility of a product. I wonder how many brands have considered acquiring the President of the United States of America?
As President-elect, Barack Obama, fought to keep his Blackberry before he assumes the position of our Commander-in-Chief on January 20, 2009. The world knows how much Barack Obama loves his phone…we’ve all seen the pictures of it glued to his waste or affixed to his hands. Some stars fit a product so perfectly, that they became synonymous with the brands they were paid to promote – think Brooke Shields and her Calvin's to James Earl Jones for Verizon or Bill Cosby and Jello to Michael Jordan and Nike. I wonder what the staying power that the President will have on Blackberry will be...?
I can’t help but to think about what my clients would give to have their product endorsed by the soon-to-be most powerful, and certainly the most popular, man in the country. The best thing about this endorsement is that it’s FREE – again, even in a recession. I’m curious to find out if Mr. President-to-be will be able to keep his phone in the era of technology. Yes, He Can! Or, should…anyway. It’s time the oval office pops the bubble that engulfed the former Presidents. I would like to think that I voted for the first e-mailing president.
Do you think celebrity endorsements will continued to be fueled by this economy? Or will its saturation finally take it's toll?
*Photo Credit: Gear Live
Tags: Lifestyle PR
Posted by Rashidah Ferguson on January 14, 2009 6:20 AM
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