Celeb makes decent splash in her protest

Hamilton Nolan, PR Week USA, Wednesday, 14 June 2006, 10:39pm,

The Hollywood publicist whose job it is to control media coverage of their star client down to the last detail may not look forward to opening up today's paper and being greeted by the headline, "Daryl Hannah Arrested in Tree." Even if the rest of us do.

But have no fear; this was not the inebriated hang-gliding fiasco that you may have imagined. The Splash-y actress was doing a bit of civil disobedience to try to save an urban "community farm" in South Central LA that's slated to be developed into warehouses.

From a public popularity view, Hannah was probably on the right side of this issue. Everybody hates developers in poor neighborhoods, and everyone loves activities for South Central LA youth that don't involve drugs, gangbanging, or midnight basketball.

In Hollywood, being branded a shoots-and-leaves-grubbing tree hugger will actually land you a free ride in Leonardo DiCaprio's Toyota Prius. It's a win-win.

But look closer, and you see the chinks in the strategy. Hannah's fellow protesters included '60s stalwarts Joan Baez and Willie Nelson, but a woman of her age will need to target a younger demographic next time. Maybe, naked sky surfing to "Save the Dew." All the kids are into it.

Ratings:
1. Clueless
2. Ill-advised
3. On the right track
4. Savvy
5. Ingenious

This article was first published on PR Week USA