Here’s a letter Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company sent to celebrities Lindsay Lohan and Amanda Bynes inviting them to participate in the company’s one-on-one driving school. The company is apparently wanting to capitalize on the celebrities’ recent well-publicized traffic accidents.
Is it fair that the company wants to use the misfortunes of celebrities to help draw attention to its brand? Some critics don’t think so. Tim Nudd, editor of Advertising Age’s blog Adfreak, is not a fan of the Goodyear initiative. “It’s definitely a cheap publicity grab, and if you’re a generally well respected brand — which Goodyear is — engaging these kinds of marketing gimmicks will only cheapen your brand accordingly.”
Alex Bogusky, formerly one of the main creative engines behind advertising agency Crispin Porter and Bogusky, disagrees. “I love this kind of thing. It’s a good way to inject tires (which are boring) into the public conversation,” he said. “And it seems to me that Goodyear knows a bit about driving and is doing us all a favor in trying to teach this woman how to drive.”
What do you think?
Media Ethics Report 
She might love the chance to learn to drive properly, and more importantly appear in the press again!
You’re probably right, Sophie! For her, staying in the press is a good thing–particularly with her new movie “Liz & Dick” coming out on the Lifetime Network! Thanks for subscribing!
It is going to be interesting to see how the press circulates her latest movie. You’re welcome, it was an interesting read. I’m a PR student, starting up an ethics blog with two classmates. Have a look, any advice is welcome!
Have a look at our latest Facebook and children related post, what’s your opinion? Sophie
Hi Sophie–What’s the URL to your blog?
ethicalangles.wordpress.com Thank, Sophie