A recent incident involving actor Justin Baldoni cast a shadow on the world of public relations, particularly in Hollywood. While BoardroomPR works within the realm of B2B and B2C clients, including entrepreneurs, law firms, real estate, financial services and nonprofits, we do not work in celebrity or entertainment PR. However, the tenets of our work and industry remain the same. 

Traditionally, PR is tasked with building and maintaining positive public perceptions of individuals, businesses and brands. Baldoni, along with his publicist, are accused of orchestrating a smear campaign against actress Blake Lively. This raises critical questions about ethical practices within celebrity PR, where manipulation, deception, and even smear tactics are employed and sometimes used to protect reputations and advance careers. These actions suggest a dark side of PR and are damaging to the entire profession. 

The Lively-Baldoni case highlights several concerning aspects of PR:

• Blurred Lines: The allegations suggest a misuse of PR resources for personal vendettas, crossing the line between professional representation and personal attacks.   
• Potential for Abuse of Power: The influence and resources available to Hollywood PR firms can be misused to silence critics and manipulate public opinion, creating an uneven playing field. PR practitioners are trusted sources for the media. Breaking trust can have irreparable repercussions against that individual or brand. 
• Damage to Public Trust: When PR professionals engage in unethical practices, it erodes public trust in the entire industry, making it harder for legitimate PR professionals to build and maintain credibility.   

While the Lively-Baldoni case is a stark example, it’s important to acknowledge that not all PR agencies operate this way. Many firms in the industry, including BoardroomPR, strive for ethical and transparent communication, building genuine relationships with the public and upholding the integrity of our profession.

The future of PR depends on our ability to uphold the highest ethical standards. This requires a collective effort from all professionals in the industry to prioritize truth, transparency, and ethical conduct in everything we do. 

To learn more about public relations and how BoardroomPR can help your business and brand, give us a call at (954) 370-8999 or visit our website at www.boardroompr.com.

Jessica Shein

Account Director