A week is a long time in the world of PR. Just ask Gary Barlow.
Only a week ago, many women of a certain age rushed to their TVs screens to watch a documentary charting the success of the Take That front man turned successful solo artist turned national hero. The documentary showed Gary being interviewed by his good friend James Corden and charted the highs and lows of the singer’s pop career and ended on the formidable charitable work he has undertaken that has since earned him an OBE.
The next day social media channels were awash with comments on what a lovely chap he is and how he fully deserves his success and status as a talented musician, UK ambassador and all-round good guy.
Fast forward a week later and the PR isn’t quite so favourable towards Mr Barlow as it emerges that he had taken a rather unethical approach to his taxes.
Now in B2B PR, our clients are rarely held up to such public scrutiny but I think the morale of this story for any individual or business looking to showcase the good work they are doing is that the press can build you up and take you down just as quickly. Gary Barlow has yet to make a public statement about his tax issues and I’m really surprised that his publicist or team of PR advisors haven’t yet instructed him to hold his hands up and promise to pay back what he rightfully owes. Being honest and open in this situation may just help him hang on to his national hero status. Come on Gary…..how deep are your pockets!
