It’s a traditional tool that all PR pros use to spread the word about a product or event.

In between the promoting, celebrities have two choices: Go into hiding or stay in the limelight.

But is this tool becoming a little too obvious when celebrities only use it to promote their album, clothing line or movie release? For those who love the spotlight, ie: Lindsay Lohan or Britney Spears, you really don’t notice it. Every time the TV is on, there they are putting on a show.

For those who like to keep a low profile, Mariah Carey for example, you rarely see them making appearances at different events (with the exception of charity events) or do any performances until right before a release.

Gwyneth Paltrow is a prime example. The Oscar winner has been pretty vacant in the past few years, off raising her family I’m sure. Now that her new movie, Iron Man, is set to premiere, she’s been everywhere. The Signpost made a comment about her reappearance.

Granted, this reappearance has caused a lot more positive attention because of her new look. She’s looking better resulting in praises from a lot of the media and style gurus. The Elle Tell All blog praises her coming out style.

It’s coming to a point where celebrities don’t see the need to put themselves out into the spotlight until it’s time for the public to start buying. Is that fair to the consumers?

PR-wise, it’s not. A celebrity can’t call on the public only when they need them. Like I’ve said in previous posts, the public is not forgiving and it definitely doesn’t forget.

These celebrities have the misconception that the public owes them something for their great talent but it’s really the other way around.

The public will survive with one less entertainer. But can they survive without the consumers? I don’t think so.

Entertainers have to maintain a presence during the down time to keep up the awareness. I know I’m bringing in a marketing aspect, but it does make sense. If consumers are not thinking about that singer while they’re at Wal-Mart, they are not going to buy their album. It’s simple logic.

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt are always in the limelight with little effort. It could be because they are thought to be the best-looking couple in the world or it could be because they are always at some event. Oftentimes they attend charity events, which always add major good will points. I’m not saying they attend charity events to get on the public’s good side, but they are always on the cover of a magazine.

They prove that celebrities don’t have to dance on table tops to keep attention but rather be comfortable with the media enough to keep themselves in the snap shots.

Not only does staying in the limelight create a presence, but it also continues to foster a relationship. Celebrities give the public some pictures and performances, and the public will return the favor.

Gwyneth Paltrow image courtesy of celebrity-gossip.net

Brad and Angelina image courtesy of img2.timeinc.net