One of the world’s most renowned leaders and South Africa’s first black President Nelson Mandela has decided to withdraw from public engagements and appearances. Rumors and speculations about 91 year old Mandela health were put to rest after the announcement by Nelson Mandela Foundation. The statement said that icon of anti-apartheid movement was doing well and would take much needed rest to do things he enjoyed doing in retired life.

Nelson Mandela had cut down public engagements ever since his retirement some five years ago but last week there were rumors that leader was extremely ill and media speculations went to the extent of his funeral plan and coverage. The much awaited official announcement ended all speculations.

Last week Hollywood actor Charlize Theron went to the extent of auctioning off meeting with the leader at a charity event for some $140,000. Nelson Mandela Foundation rebuked the actor for her publicity stunt. It is sad indeed that a leader of stature of Nelson Mandela should suffer such publicity at his age.  Public memory is very short and these publicity stunts and rumors will be short lived. History and people of South Africa will remember Nelson Mandela for right reasons.

Via Guardian

The reality show “Britain’s Got Talent” has given birth to yet another celebrity – Susan Boyle. But the fairy tale story of this ordinary woman from Scotland has already seen an ugly twist when she failed to win the talent show despite her meteoritic rise and overnight fame. Her performance was a hit on YouTube and world over. She had whole of America backing her. But it was British viewers who finally didn’t send her enough votes and showed her the door.

The exit of Susan Boyle from the show is not an exit at all. In fact just after losing in the final, Susan Boyle suffered from ‘emotional exhaustion’ and had to be admitted to a London Clinic. The paparazzi are now following her every move and every emotion. This is a new beginning for celebrity Susan Boyle who is expected to sing in front of US President Barack Obama too.

Susan Boyle has many fans and her song was downloaded some 200 million times. But there were hate sites too. She was disliked for the same reason she was adored by people – her ordinariness. Of course that’s the celebrity package these days- bouquets and brickbats! Publicity is inclusive of negative publicity. It remains to be seen whether she will be a celebrity or a punching bag. Hope Susan Boyle understands the rules of the game and doesn’t end up in Clinics often for treatment.

Via Boston Herald

Reality TV show star Jane Goody’s life was like a fairy tale indeed. It was a rag to riches story. It was story of a girl with little education who had dysfunctional parents. It was a tale of a foul mouthed attention seeking reality show star always scorned, mocked and loved by the media. Jane Goody cashed on anti-publicity to become a celebrity and lived out her entire life in media glare. Her cancer and her death too became a tragic reality show.

Jane Goody was all of 27 when she finally silently succumbed to painful cervical cancer. Yes, she did cash on her publicity and her anti publicity but it could never really buy her peace and little more precious time with her two sons and newly married husband. She courted controversies and was even hated by public and the media. But till the very end she was pursued and finally even loved by the same entertainment world.

Modern entertainment world is very unkind indeed. It just catapults ordinary men, women to a celebrity status and dumps them the next day. It weaves a fairy tale and cashes on TRPs. But never before a fairy tale has ended so tragically.

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Via BBC

Honda Scooter’s latest ad campaign “Smarter” projects both scooter and small car and gives brownie points to scooter. But the ad itself could have been smarter.

Advertising is another subtle art of persuasion. When such comparisons are made explicitly the subtleness is lost. Definitely small cars are posing a threat to scooters. Small car manufacturers often project small cars as a safer driving option for small families than two wheelers. Safety and affordable price are their key selling points.

Here scooter doesn’t look convincingly smarter. It could also be projected as a slimmer, lighter and cheaper option for choked metropolitan roads. The X factor is not really visible. There are no celebrity brand ambassadors riding the scooter either. Efficiency is an important factor but not enough when compared to safety of four wheelers.

Counter advertising is in vogue. For example, Pepsi and Coke, Apple and Microsoft often indulge in such tactics. But then they come up with interesting punch lines which sustains public interest. Thats what advertising and publicity all about.

Via Ads of the world