Credit crunch: it is time for celebrities to use their PR influence for the greater good?
July 9th, 2008 by Wendy McAuliffe
I’m a big fan of Phil Spencer and Kirstie Allsopp, the presenters of C4’s Location, Location, Location, and was impressed to hear a few weeks back that they were going to be lobbying the Government to make changes to Stamp Duty. As Kirstie said, “I’ve been advising the Conservatives on some policies but this is bigger than party politics… it’s people’s lives.”
Good on ‘em I thought…about time someone in the public eye stepped up to use their influence in a meaningful way. But what’s happened since? Very little as far as I can tell. The lobbying campaign is still in planning phase it seems, while the property crisis contines to worsen.
I realise that many celebrities do a lot of work for charity, both and home and overseas, but at a time when the country is facing recession, should celebrities active in relevant sectors make better use of their thought leadership status? It always helps to have a recognisable name when you want to get your views heard on a matter.
The hugely successful Jamie Oliver ‘School Dinners’ campaign always comes to mind in conversations of this sort, but few others jump out at me.
I’d be keen to hear of UK-specific examples where celebrities are using their PR voice to lobby on matters of national concern, as it’s a subject that I’m interested in investigating further.
Phil and Kirstie, if you fancy responding, you’d make my day!
Tags: channel 4, kirstie allsopp, lobbying, phil spencer, stamp duty