Tabloid short memory, lunacy vs interrogating facts, a Royal PR suggestion, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs for the celebrity ecosystem, CAMPAIGNING MATTERS, Byron Allen entertainment, and more
Just wanted to say how much I appreciate how intentional you all are being with your Royal Family coverage in the midst of all of this insanity, as well as your focus on the PR issues. If you're actually covering the BRF, I know it's got to be something good!
As someone who works in PR (albeit in a very different space), I still cannot get over how bad they are at this! None of this is new, but the fact that they are not willing to hire top-notch people, PAY THEM WELL, and take their advice speaks volumes about who they are are individuals and an institution. I don't know why I let this occupy my headspace, but it's like a never-ending car crash that I can't look away from.
I think it's hard for us to truly understand how old their system is. Their PR is growing out of hundreds of years of image maintenance. They're cleaning to a way of doing things that has served them well through wars and revolutions, so in that way I get why they're not making adjustments on the fly. At the same time I think they are underestimating the power of social media to keep a story alive far beyond the 24-hour news cycle.
I constantly think about their centuries of controlling the narrative, but even Harry didn't pause when explaining that his gran is the Queen. This is deep deeeeep.
Thanks for addressing my question, and while I totally understand the comment about being a “paper of record” (or not, as the case may be), I just wanted to say: I consider myself decently well-read and up to date on world & cultural news, but as much as I love the NYT and Al Jazeera, I haven’t read them everyday of my life for the last 15+ years. It is definitely the LG team’s voice I hear in my head and the place that has formed some of my most deep-seated values - so don’t underestimate your impact!
When I think about interesting PR strategies, my mind immediately goes to Beyoncé and how she's managed to cultivate such a devoted fanbase despite maintaining something that, to me, resembles the "never complain, never explain" approach of the BRF, rarely giving interviews, not responding to stories in the media. I think Taylor Swift follows this kind of PR roadmap too, maybe prompted by the Kim/Kanye/Reputation stuff, or maybe more of a scan of the celebrity environment and what was working for others--but in any case, she went from being very accessible to fans, posting relatively personal stuff on social media, to pretty much exclusively posting about her work.
I don't want to go so far as saying there was a direct imitation of strategy, but I find myself thinking a lot about the ways a strategy like this works well and the ways that it can cause major challenges, too. It does seem to often leave a vacuum that gets filled with rampant conspiracies!
I love the suggestion of the BRF meeting the online insanity where it's at with the Wonka meme--that quote has WILD relevance to more unhinged conspiracy theories that are coming out. (And echoing Cassie, I do appreciate that this conversation is being approached thoughtfully here!)
I can totally see this angle, for Beyoncé in particular. The biggest advantage that Beyoncé or Taylor Swift have over the royal family though, is they’re ability to “explain” through their work. Things we see today they are silent on, may have a reference later on down the line in a song or music video (Taylor is 10x more explicit here, “blue dress on a boat” kills me). So they don’t necessarily explain, but they give enough of a glimpse into their inner lives, so their fans feel like they KNOW and it’s a dialogue between them and the artist and there’s an explanation without the explanation. The only outlet the Royal family has is planting quotes and leaks to the tabloids, and we are seeing how well that is backfiring on them.
I think Beyonce definitely does never complain, never explain. Taylor seems to do a lot more explaining, but puts her name to it. The royal family seems to complain and explain all the time, like a broken record. I’m glad Lainey doesn’t cover it, because it never seems to be new, but I do appreciate the analysis of their work when something more newsworthy actually happens.
Beyonce might be closest to what the BRF has cultivated in their true blue stans. However, her songs tell her story and that's it. There's no "source" outside of singing unless you count Mama Tina. That's not in her control. MT has her own rules. BRF thinks their subjects truly believe in their superiority. Their bad behavior is couched in class and they refuse to acknowledge that the masses are not going to be shushed. No matter that the Commonwealth is having a contest for who can not be the next top remaining colonized. They're proud of being inbred and talentless hacks. How do you help people who wish for the return of the days of Thomas Cromwell??
I’d love to see a really well-done poll of the BRF’s standing among the British public. You won’t get one that is publicly released as those tend to be surveys done with less rigorous methods.
I say this because in politics (which is as analogous to the BRF as is the entertainment world given the element of British tax dollars funding part of the BRF and some of the public functions of the BRF), very frequently what is a problem on social media is less so among the broader public. I’m wondering if they’re counting on a quiet majority thinking the chatter is unfair to Kate while she’s recovering from major surgery and counting on a backlash to some of these jokes.
That’s not to say that a smarter strategy would shut down this chatter and preserve broader popularity as well as modernize the BRF. But it is odd for the BRF to not fill the vacuum before someone else does or figure out a way to distract.
Thank you for answering my question, Sarah! And for all the great chat here. It's been a really positive and engaging place to check in at a chaotic time.
Oscar! Oscar, Oscar! Lainey and Traci on the balcony!!! I’m excited to see what their looks will be. Will Liz be reporting from the parties? And an after show! I honestly can’t wait. This is my personal Christmas/Super Bowl. I’ve yet to see Poor Things and I will this week but I’ve seen everything nominated in the main categories. I don’t have Oscar parties anymore because I’m too serious and I want to watch with people who have opinions on the films and also know when to STFU during a great moment. I let my daughters watch with me because I can shush them. They love that I make fondues 🫕. Cheese with bread etc and chocolate with fruit for dessert. I hope The Squawk community will be here for the fun. What are YOUR Oscar night traditions? I’ll stop shouting now! But I’m so excited!
I absolutely LOVED this mail bag. I had so much going on that I could only read and not comment. It's full to the brim with great work about work.
For instance, I immediately wanted to know what juice Byron wouldn't have? Does @Sarah mean juice as in connections because Hollywood gives me NFL ownership vibes where they don't have to let you in even when you have the things necessary that they want to allow into the club (NFL has ONE owner of color and there's a particular name for that particular minority and why they're given acceptance, or did she mean actual money???). Could it be that this was why Tyler Perry has to build his own? However, Tyler has an issue with respecting the craft and recognizing that his actual abilities are limited (wig grievance is top priority). Byron has been trying to push his way into the regular door, but they allow a Zaslav who has barely read a picture book to completion. It feels....NAACP-ish. Like, they should be called???
Just wanted to say how much I appreciate how intentional you all are being with your Royal Family coverage in the midst of all of this insanity, as well as your focus on the PR issues. If you're actually covering the BRF, I know it's got to be something good!
As someone who works in PR (albeit in a very different space), I still cannot get over how bad they are at this! None of this is new, but the fact that they are not willing to hire top-notch people, PAY THEM WELL, and take their advice speaks volumes about who they are are individuals and an institution. I don't know why I let this occupy my headspace, but it's like a never-ending car crash that I can't look away from.
I think it's hard for us to truly understand how old their system is. Their PR is growing out of hundreds of years of image maintenance. They're cleaning to a way of doing things that has served them well through wars and revolutions, so in that way I get why they're not making adjustments on the fly. At the same time I think they are underestimating the power of social media to keep a story alive far beyond the 24-hour news cycle.
I constantly think about their centuries of controlling the narrative, but even Harry didn't pause when explaining that his gran is the Queen. This is deep deeeeep.
Thanks for addressing my question, and while I totally understand the comment about being a “paper of record” (or not, as the case may be), I just wanted to say: I consider myself decently well-read and up to date on world & cultural news, but as much as I love the NYT and Al Jazeera, I haven’t read them everyday of my life for the last 15+ years. It is definitely the LG team’s voice I hear in my head and the place that has formed some of my most deep-seated values - so don’t underestimate your impact!
Omg same! This is the only website I have read daily consistently since it became a website (after Lainey’s email newsletter days). LG4EVA!
Hear hear!!!
Wholeheartedly agree!!
I read this daily, and savor what I missed if I can't read everything when I want to.
“Lainey Gossip is not the group chat”. Mic drop
When I think about interesting PR strategies, my mind immediately goes to Beyoncé and how she's managed to cultivate such a devoted fanbase despite maintaining something that, to me, resembles the "never complain, never explain" approach of the BRF, rarely giving interviews, not responding to stories in the media. I think Taylor Swift follows this kind of PR roadmap too, maybe prompted by the Kim/Kanye/Reputation stuff, or maybe more of a scan of the celebrity environment and what was working for others--but in any case, she went from being very accessible to fans, posting relatively personal stuff on social media, to pretty much exclusively posting about her work.
I don't want to go so far as saying there was a direct imitation of strategy, but I find myself thinking a lot about the ways a strategy like this works well and the ways that it can cause major challenges, too. It does seem to often leave a vacuum that gets filled with rampant conspiracies!
I love the suggestion of the BRF meeting the online insanity where it's at with the Wonka meme--that quote has WILD relevance to more unhinged conspiracy theories that are coming out. (And echoing Cassie, I do appreciate that this conversation is being approached thoughtfully here!)
I can totally see this angle, for Beyoncé in particular. The biggest advantage that Beyoncé or Taylor Swift have over the royal family though, is they’re ability to “explain” through their work. Things we see today they are silent on, may have a reference later on down the line in a song or music video (Taylor is 10x more explicit here, “blue dress on a boat” kills me). So they don’t necessarily explain, but they give enough of a glimpse into their inner lives, so their fans feel like they KNOW and it’s a dialogue between them and the artist and there’s an explanation without the explanation. The only outlet the Royal family has is planting quotes and leaks to the tabloids, and we are seeing how well that is backfiring on them.
I think Beyonce definitely does never complain, never explain. Taylor seems to do a lot more explaining, but puts her name to it. The royal family seems to complain and explain all the time, like a broken record. I’m glad Lainey doesn’t cover it, because it never seems to be new, but I do appreciate the analysis of their work when something more newsworthy actually happens.
Beyonce might be closest to what the BRF has cultivated in their true blue stans. However, her songs tell her story and that's it. There's no "source" outside of singing unless you count Mama Tina. That's not in her control. MT has her own rules. BRF thinks their subjects truly believe in their superiority. Their bad behavior is couched in class and they refuse to acknowledge that the masses are not going to be shushed. No matter that the Commonwealth is having a contest for who can not be the next top remaining colonized. They're proud of being inbred and talentless hacks. How do you help people who wish for the return of the days of Thomas Cromwell??
Oh my God, Kate Waldo, I’m dying Lainey!
I’d love to see a really well-done poll of the BRF’s standing among the British public. You won’t get one that is publicly released as those tend to be surveys done with less rigorous methods.
I say this because in politics (which is as analogous to the BRF as is the entertainment world given the element of British tax dollars funding part of the BRF and some of the public functions of the BRF), very frequently what is a problem on social media is less so among the broader public. I’m wondering if they’re counting on a quiet majority thinking the chatter is unfair to Kate while she’s recovering from major surgery and counting on a backlash to some of these jokes.
That’s not to say that a smarter strategy would shut down this chatter and preserve broader popularity as well as modernize the BRF. But it is odd for the BRF to not fill the vacuum before someone else does or figure out a way to distract.
Thank you for answering my question, Sarah! And for all the great chat here. It's been a really positive and engaging place to check in at a chaotic time.
Oscar! Oscar, Oscar! Lainey and Traci on the balcony!!! I’m excited to see what their looks will be. Will Liz be reporting from the parties? And an after show! I honestly can’t wait. This is my personal Christmas/Super Bowl. I’ve yet to see Poor Things and I will this week but I’ve seen everything nominated in the main categories. I don’t have Oscar parties anymore because I’m too serious and I want to watch with people who have opinions on the films and also know when to STFU during a great moment. I let my daughters watch with me because I can shush them. They love that I make fondues 🫕. Cheese with bread etc and chocolate with fruit for dessert. I hope The Squawk community will be here for the fun. What are YOUR Oscar night traditions? I’ll stop shouting now! But I’m so excited!
I absolutely LOVED this mail bag. I had so much going on that I could only read and not comment. It's full to the brim with great work about work.
For instance, I immediately wanted to know what juice Byron wouldn't have? Does @Sarah mean juice as in connections because Hollywood gives me NFL ownership vibes where they don't have to let you in even when you have the things necessary that they want to allow into the club (NFL has ONE owner of color and there's a particular name for that particular minority and why they're given acceptance, or did she mean actual money???). Could it be that this was why Tyler Perry has to build his own? However, Tyler has an issue with respecting the craft and recognizing that his actual abilities are limited (wig grievance is top priority). Byron has been trying to push his way into the regular door, but they allow a Zaslav who has barely read a picture book to completion. It feels....NAACP-ish. Like, they should be called???
Great questions squawkers!