Thanks for commenting on my blog. It looks as though we share similar feelings about Vanity Fair’s attention-grabbing strategy. It was definitely a shocker for everyone when the Miley Cyrus cover came out, however I think that it got enough publicity to make Miley into a true A-list celebrity. Vanity Fair tends to an older audience and I believe that it is a great step for Miley for making it onto the cover of a respected, classy magazine like that. I did hear that Annie Leibovitz suggested to Miley that such a picture will sell magazines. Even though that comment makes some people uncomfortable, it is true. Celebrities are in this business because it is their job. That is how they make money, so why wouldn’t someone take up an opportunity that will make them money and also promote their image?

I’m really enjoying your blog – welcome to the fold!

I hate it when PR companies push shock value – in my experience it often comes from a lack of creativity and/or a lack of understanding who the client is and what they stand for. I believe that if you are communicating client messages effectively, at the right target market, in creative innovative ways, there is rarely any need to use over the top tactics.

That said, I do recognize the value of testing boundaries and the fact that sometimes a bit of shock can help launch a conversation – I just hate to see it done for shock value alone.