Public Relations
In response to this week’s topic of public relations, I think that the way in which the famous can manipulate the media to its eye is a very valuable tool, and especially through the use of publicity stunts it can change the way they are viewed. Case in point – the Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake “wardrobe malfunction.” It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that this was a publicity stunt meant to boost record sales for a declining artist. Such has been the case all over – when people want attention, they will use different means to get it, and for those in a position to do so, the media provides a perfect outlet. I would be curious to see just how involved Jackson’s PR people were in the event, whether it’s planning (or not-planning) and the reputation cleanup afterwards. I suspect a similar incident in the case of Michael Jackson somehow; after Nirvana’s 1991 Nevermind effectively showed the world that Jackson really is a no-talent pop star begging for attention, I can imagine why he’d be looking for ways to reclaim the spotlight. The Public Relations career is dedicated to making others look good, and to someone skilled with a pen, a creative mind, and, depending on who you work for, no conscience or sense of moral, it can mean a lot of money. It’s still interesting to me at least, how the field has gone from a career of shouting out the attractions at circuses, to subliminal advertising techniques and minute strokes of advertising genius.
