What’s the Point of Celebrity Speakers?
The force of celebrities is unquestionable. They sell magazines, papers plus they prompt us all to turn on and tune in each day. They have an impact on the clothes consumers wear, the products consumers buy and the food we consume, or do not. What, then, is the purpose of the celebrity speaker in this undoubtedly fame obsessed culture? Surely the numerous more understated endorsements, or rather the more conventional kinds, such as Television adverts and so on, are a reasonable invasion into and influence on us without the famed turning celebrity speaker at all sorts of things from political rallies, to shop openings to charity dinners?
The celebrity speaker is more prevalent and potent. Whether or not it’s of their own accord or as a result of a generous hire charge, it’s more common than ever before to see some kind of celeb or other at events. Prominent examples of celebrities turning speaker are that of Bob Geldoff and his band of celebrity crusaders with a conscience, utilizing their celebrity and influence to raise recognition of the predicament of the hungry.
More recently than that, celebrity speakers appear to have been seen playing more of a political role. There’s Jamie Oliver and his one-man battle on processed foods and even more recently there was the situation of Arlene Phillips getting into governmental politics as the dance tsar.
Regardless of whether we like it or not, then, the celebrity speaker is even bigger today than ever before. No more do superstars merely have an impact on style and beauty; today’s celebrity speaker has a valid message. What use for the celebrity speaker? The young look up to celebrities and even the more grown up people amongst us must confess to being a tad interested in what they have to say. Their celebrity is appealing plus they are role models, no matter if we like it or not. So if the celebrity speaker can push forward a charity’s cause, send a clear message to boost the country’s health or perhaps stir up a little interest in politics, then certainly they have a role. And not just a purpose: a duty, to use their sway responsibly.