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Sex Sells Says Entertainment Publicists at Hollywood Mixer

Sex dominates the content of a majority of TV shows, advertising and now the question begs of PR pros, where do we draw the line? How can Desperate Housewives or Baywatch not be about more than seeing hot, good looking people in extra martial neighborhood affairs or the newest swim suits. And now, new Las Vegas hotels have switched from the family fun themes to topless waitresses and entertainment at the new Casinos, pools and spas.

So this writer while attending the summer mixer at the Punch Grill in Santa Monica, CA, I couldn’t resist asking Entertainment Publicists Professional Society (EPPS) members where do we draw the line on Publicity for sex sells?

“Who are we to draw the line when it comes to sex sells in advertising or publicity,” said "Dr. Cynthia King, Cal-State Fullerton, Center for Entertainment and Tourism Studies" “I think you have to look at community standards to determine what’s appropriate and what audience. I find it’s interesting that any outlet would put a family angle given the historical experience in Vegas. It was an experiment that didn’t quite work, so it appears they’re going back to their roots.”

“I wish I was there now, although we have a pretty good substitute with us,” said Julian Myers, of Julian Myers PR, who also teaches entertainment publicity at UCLA. “As for publicist the more (of sex sells) the better,” he said.

“Sex sells Very Good,” said Author Kim Connet, who publicizing her own book called “Sex Secrets of America in Asia. “With a title like that sex sells, really helps the book sales.”

“It definitely works,” said Molly Capenella, account rep. for MarketWire, Los Angeles. “It is certainly a much more visual public relations and marketing culture than it ever was before, and if it has to be sex sells, I’m all for it.”

“I agree, it definitely gets your attention, and Las Vegas was never a family place anyway,” said Sherri Sibiski, west coast representative, MarketWire.

“Our biggest headline is ‘Mysterious Sexy’ so I think sex sells is a good thing,” said Courtney Jackson, publicist for high end Paris Fashion Designer Yves Castaldi. “For us we have incorporated sexy with classy, so there’s no trashy anymore, but rather mysterious, sleek and elegant.” “In Fashion, sex definitely sells, and the line we are doing is a little more conservative, and more tailored, clean and elegant, and I don’t know if we will follow the trend of sells. But, I really do think that you’re not going to appeal to the younger pop generation without someone that looks young and hot, someone they look up to,” said Morgan Olson, Yves Castaldi.

“I’m kind of tempered about it, because Las Vegas is taking on more show type, adult type of entertainment,” explained Ron Carter, The Carter Agency, Pasadena, which handles independent music artists. “10 or 20 years ago you wouldn’t see Celine Dion, Elton John Prince or Tony Braxton, but now they’re all in Vegas. Las Vegas used to known for the 'has-beens' and the few entertainers who meant anything to anybody. Because the city has taken on a whole new persona, Las Vegas is not the armpit of entertainment anymore.People should be able to take their kids to Vegas, but that’s not happening anymore," said Carter.

The city is growing so fast, and you have all those big developers in and they don’t want to build things for kids, they’re thinking about building hotels for people who will come down there and spend a lot of money, and that’s really sad.”

“I think it is a positive direction that Las Vegas is going of sex sells is cool,” Lucia Singer, Berman Singer Public Relations, Los Angeles. “People always think sexy is cool, and they will also get people to visit to see how they are trying to promote themselves under the new sex appeals.”

The next EPPS event is an August 6th workshop entitled “Working with Fan Sites and Groups,” and will be held at the ICG Local 600 Auditorium, 7755 Sunset Boulevard

Hollywood, CA., 90046, 8:80 a.m. RSVPs at www.eppsonline.org.

About the Author

George Mc Quade is Vice President of MAYO Communications (www.MayoCommunications.com) and is a board member and past president of Entertainment Publicists Professional Society(EPPS). He is also the West Coast Bureau Chief for O'Dwyer Publications, NY (www.odwyepr.com).

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