Celebrities = Popularity = Support

What do you see when you look at this picture? Well for me I see the Golden Globes. Then I see Kathy Griffin. Then I see the "NO H8" painted on her face. So, I saw the celebrity before I saw the organization's logo, or advertisement. Kathy Griffin did her job. She brought attention to the NoH8 campaign.

It is very common for non-profit organizations to reach out to celebrities to endorse their cause. In a society that is so focused on celebrities and tabloids it is a smart move to gain popularity and, more importantly, support.

Let's go back to the picture. Adding Griffin's Golden Globes proves to the audience how successful she is. Her success means she has a large following, and once they see that she supports a certain cause they may also decide to support it.

The NoH8 logo on her face has one red number. This is because their campaign focuses on marriage, gender, and racial equality. Proposition 8 was the bill passed in California that amended the ban of same-sex marriage. The attention brought to the 8 by its contrasting color makes the audience wonder why it is different. This curiosity will lead to more research and what the organization hopes will be more supporters.

Using celebrities is truly a successful strategy for non-profits. Yes, it is risky, but the outcome is usually worth it. What are your thoughts? Are you more drawn to causes with celebrities who support it?

Did Livestrong Live up to its Name?

I chose the article “Livestrong Offers Lesson in Mitigating Celebrity Risks” by Rodd Zolkos. To determine if this was scholarly I researched the text that it was published in. Business Insurance is a recognized magazine published for executives in the business industry to educate fellow industry members on risks and management strategies. Zolkos’ article was peer edited by fellow business scholars which makes it a credible, scholarly source.

This article addresses how the fiasco created by Lance Armstrong shows the risks of having celebrities endorse non-profits. Zolkos states that many organizations use their celebrity allies to get their cause in the public eye but often start to separate themselves after they’ve created a name for their organization. It is necessary for the non-profit to build up a successful support staff and board of members so they can survive a potential fall from grace by their celebrity endorser.

The article gives insight into how non-profits can avoid losing their organization because of the dangers of enlisted celebrity help. It does create a successful message by showing how playing on the audiences emotions can be detrimental to the success of the organization. The goal is to attract support through a popular celebrity but if they become unpopular to the public this could be negative to the organization.

Do you believe celebrities have a negative or positive impact on organizations they endorse?

Is Selfless Service Always Selfless?

You see it all the time in the tabloids, on the news, and in the media: celebrities giving their time to serve others in need. Whether it be in a soup kitchen in the hardest parts of downtown, or a refugee camp in a country in Africa most people cannot point out on a map, it seems as though every time a picture has to be taken to prove this good deed.

I am not saying that every time you see a picture of an individual of celebrity status with a group of children at a foreign orphanage it is a hoax to make themselves look better. I do believe that the majority of people go out of their way to provide to those in need out of the kindness of their hearts. I stand by my statement that these photo opportunities are taken in part so a singer or actor can prove that they are more than simply a talented, pretty face.

So why does this bother me so much?

Like I have said in another post, I plan on saving the world. It breaks my heart to see people who use others in need to lift themselves up and enhance the image that others have of them. This is not just celebrities, this is also ordinary people. I care so deeply about this issue because it holds so much importance in my life.

How do you think this glamorization influences the non profit world?