The BRIT Awards are just around the corner, so we decided to give you a rundown of how these celebrities have bounced back from unfortunate mistakes - and how you can do the same with your business marketing.
It's awards' season and after the success of our Golden Globes blog post, we decided to carry on the message, this time through the BRIT Awards 2014.
We have a lot to be proud of about being British - it isn't just fish & chips, rain and the Beatles, which make our country famous - there is (believe it or not), strong talent in today's generation of British musicians.
However, like we all do from time to time, they make mistakes occasionally. So, we've rounded up some of the best PR misfires, faux pas and downright dodgy choices of this year's nominees - and how they put it right. Luckily for us, they also make the same marketing mistakes you should avoid as a business!
(Thrive is not responsible for the content of external websites)
Sam Smith - Critics' Choice Award (Winner)
Lesson learned: Supporting others can really boost your own chances of success
Famous for: He featured on Disclosure's breakthrough single, Latch and Naughty Boy's, La La La
Website: http://samsmithworld.com/
As an upcoming artist on the British music scene, Sam Smith did wonders for his own credibility by featuring on the infectious La La La. Now, as the Critics' Choice Award winner, Sam is bound for further great things - confirming that sometimes helping others can have a very positive impact on your own reputation.
Jessie J - British Female Solo Artist
Lesson learned: Brand identity can alter people's perception - overhaul it if needs be
Famous for: She used to dress outrageously, then she mellowed and gained our attention on the BBC's The Voice UK
Website: http://www.jessiejofficial.com/
Jessie J burst onto the scene wearing quirky outfits and with a fashion sense that wouldn't look out of place on the wackiest of runways. Her music has always been brilliant feel-good pop, but a stint as a judge on the BBC's The Voice really allowed her to tone down her look and still be a credible, recognisable artist. For Red Nose Day 2013, Jessie J cemented her place in the ranks of great people, shaving her head and proudly stating:
"There’s no point shaving your head for charity if you’re going to grow it back the next day" (source).
One Direction - British Group
Lesson learned: Social media can make or break you
Famous for: Being the Westlife / Take That / The Osmonds of this generation
Website: http://www.onedirectionmusic.com/gb/home/
As a boyband who are arguably in - or have yet to even reach - their prime, at the dizziest heights of fame, One Direction has used the social media explosion - namely Twitter in this case - to really confirm their status as the world's #1 boyband. When a documentary shed a controversially unfair light on their 'superfans', One Direction used Twitter to criticise the broadcaster, C4, and show support for the featured girls - this was a social media win (source). However, they've also had their fair share of social media trouble, with numerous ladies who've been romantically liked to the boys receiving death threats, abusive messages and forcing one of the boys' girlfriend's to close her Twitter account down (source).
In 2014, One Direction has to learn how to use the power social media marketing for them - something that they've worked consistently hard to achieve.
Justin Timberlake - International Male Solo Artist
Lesson learned: Longevity can only add to a successful brand - if it needs fixing, change it (if not, don't)
Famous for: Former Disney child star, former N*Sync boyband member, former boyfriend of Britney Spears - currently one of today's biggest popstars
Website: http://justintimberlake.com/
As a "tween star", JT has reinvented himself over and over again, having been a Disney star alongside Ryan Gosling and Britney Spears, being in a relationship with Britney (and facing the onslaught after their split) and overhauling his NSync image.
He has changed his public brand over the years to reflect his audience and change in direction, every time. These changes have ensured a successful, lasting brand spanning three decades in the limelight (including his Disney days). This timeline only reiterates the importance of brand development, so consider following Justin's example if your public brand no longer reflects your business direction.
Olly Murs - British Single
Lesson learned: Know your brand and live by it
Famous for: Coming third on X Factor UK and going on to have a successful pop career
Website: http://www.ollymurs.com/gb/home
Olly became famous UK-wide when he burst onto the X Factor UK stage (hard to believe that's where he came from) as a 'cheeky chappy Essex boy'. This is his brand: a lovable, wouldn't harm anyone, up-for-a-laugh 'rogue'. We should point out that technically speaking, Olly hasn't made any mistakes with his brand - although he could have.
What he did do, was live up to his carefree image by allegedly keeping a girlfriend secret for a significant amount of time. In a similar way to One Direction (and all other boybands gone by), a star's personal life is everything in celebworld, so he kept that side of himself - to better fit his audience's needs and wishes.
You need to incorporate your audience's thoughts, requirements and perception of you into your brand identity.
Lorde - International Female Solo Artist
Lesson learned: Youth can be a benefit, not a hindrance
Famous for: In the UK, she released Royals which went to #1
Website: http://lorde.co
In 2013, Lorde's Royals made her the youngest solo artist to score a UK number one single since Billie Piper's 1998 song, Because We Want To (a classic if we say so ourselves).
Although youthfulness often means you've got a lot to learn, which inevitably you do, it also means you have a long time to learn those skills and shape your identity/career. With this in mind, Lorde is a great example of how young people can really make a great impact on their industry, thanks to their enthusiasm and ability to face up to any criticism.
With only six days to go until the BRIT Awards (Live on Wednesday 19, February on ITV1 at 8pm) we want to know who your favourite BRIT Awards nominees are - or music stars from time gone by - as well as any more you can add to our list, leave a comment and let us know.
