subject: Naomi Campbell - a crisis management team's nightmare [print this page] Supermodels are often associated with front page headlines and diva' like actions, but none more so than Naomi Campbell. Her crisis PR team have had to deal with several counts of legal action taken against her, six of these regarding her assaulting various members of staff. Whilst her publicity agents may try to pin these outbursts on her troubled childhood, these acts have given Naomi the reputation of fiery, aggressive individual. Typing her name into any search engine is a sight for sore eyes as common words which jump off the page include: assault, tantrum and court.
As a top supermodel, Campbell would be expected to strive to be a role model to others, and ensure media relations were the best they could be. Her Celebrity PR team have worked effortlessly in order to improve her image by ensuring Naomi is seen getting involved with charity work and flying out to Haiti. In a recent interview Naomi has apologised for her past behaviour, another attempt by her over worked reputation management team to improve her image. Yet this apology falls short of rectifying her continued abusive behaviour towards her staff.
Naomi found herself in court yet again recently, testifying in the "blood diamond" trial of Charles Taylor. A televised courtroom, combined with worldwide media interest, provided the perfect opportunity for Naomi's PR company to ensure the supermodel had a chance to improve her image with the media, as well as the public. Considering the weight of the claims made against Charles Taylor; 11 counts of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and other serious violations of international humanitarian law including murdering and mutilating civilians, cutting off their limbs; using women and girls as sex slaves; and abducting children and adults, you would expect compliance and co-operation from the witnesses. Instead Naomi made it publicly known at the trial, which she had already delayed attending, that it was a terrible inconvenience' to her and she wished to get this over with and get on with [her] life'. Not only does this selfish behavior highlight the side of her nature which has got her in trouble with the law before, but also portrays the supermodel as unsympathetic towards the fates of those victims in question.
Naomi's PR consultancy should have used this court appearance to contrast the supermodel's previous run ins with the law in order to impress how she has cleaned up her image. If she had been compliant and dropped the sulky attitude, her PR agency would have found that Naomi's relations with the worldwide media would have improved, literally overnight, instead of finding themselves dealing with the negative press which followed her reluctant, sullen performance. Her change of story and sketchy accounts of the allegation in question has led many to believe that she is hiding or covering up parts which she would rather remain hidden. Statements from witnesses in the up and coming days may further drive the nail into the coffin that is Naomi Campbell's reputation. It will take a lot for her PR consultants to build effective public relations once again with the media.
Naomi Campbell - a crisis management team's nightmare
