Comments on: Celebrity / diplomacy http://www.popandpolitics.com/2008/04/17/celebrity-diplomacy/ Thu, 11 Feb 2010 21:50:32 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: chris nelson http://www.popandpolitics.com/2008/04/17/celebrity-diplomacy/comment-page-1/#comment-7212 chris nelson Fri, 18 Apr 2008 18:29:59 +0000 http://www.popandpolitics.com/2008/04/17/celebrity-diplomacy/#comment-7212 That's actually a really interesting point that I've never heard mentioned before, regarding the face-saving of dictators and warlords. We take our actors way more seriously than we should here, and I'm sure they can easily come off as simply more insipid American mockery of the globe. Our presidential candidates won't touch it but the guys from Ocean's 11 are all up in the issues. Vewy intewesting... That’s actually a really interesting point that I’ve never heard mentioned before, regarding the face-saving of dictators and warlords. We take our actors way more seriously than we should here, and I’m sure they can easily come off as simply more insipid American mockery of the globe. Our presidential candidates won’t touch it but the guys from Ocean’s 11 are all up in the issues. Vewy intewesting…

]]> By: Caroline Jaine http://www.popandpolitics.com/2008/04/17/celebrity-diplomacy/comment-page-1/#comment-7211 Caroline Jaine Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:29:29 +0000 http://www.popandpolitics.com/2008/04/17/celebrity-diplomacy/#comment-7211 Celebrity Diplomacy is not as effective as at first appears. Often the main driver behind participating in ethical awareness raising campaigns has far more to do with the agent and PR team working for the celebrity and charities are often hand picked to show said idol in the best light. A genuine public diplomacy initiative for a cause will have the betterment of the cause at heart and not the image of the celebrity. We should be addressing the issues of the world in proportion to needs and not for quick wins and quick spins. Sometimes celebrity endorsement can have an adverse effect too….for example spouting off about problems in Darfur without having a clear understanding of the issues or sensitivity towards the leaders involved. I am not convinced that a bout of arrogant finger wagging from a Hollywood movie star is the most diplomatic way of inspiring change from a regime where face-saving is inherent. Celebrity Diplomacy is not as effective as at first appears. Often the main driver behind participating in ethical awareness raising campaigns has far more to do with the agent and PR team working for the celebrity and charities are often hand picked to show said idol in the best light. A genuine public diplomacy initiative for a cause will have the betterment of the cause at heart and not the image of the celebrity. We should be addressing the issues of the world in proportion to needs and not for quick wins and quick spins.

Sometimes celebrity endorsement can have an adverse effect too….for example spouting off about problems in Darfur without having a clear understanding of the issues or sensitivity towards the leaders involved. I am not convinced that a bout of arrogant finger wagging from a Hollywood movie star is the most diplomatic way of inspiring change from a regime where face-saving is inherent.

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