Dangers of phony publicity photos
At
the start of Andy’s professional career, when he was around 17, we took on three young guys from London to make a promotional video for him.
They were studying film and media and they took footage of him training, competing and talking about his background and ambitions to show to potential sponsors.
During the time we spent with the students, one revealed he moonlighted for a paparazzi agency.
Coming from a small town in Scotland, we had no idea of the kind of things that went on – until he filled us in.
He explained there were a number of celebrities on their books who would tip them off as to where, when and who they would be with.
There was an agreement that a photographer would show up, take some pictures, and the celeb would get publicity from appearing in the press, and a cut of the agency’s earnings on the photos.
From that moment on, I began to look with suspicion at every celebrity photo and it became very clear that paparazzi partnerships are a common occurrence.
Yes, we expect it from reality stars and wannabes, but we really don’t want it from a man who wants to be Prime Minister.
The picture of Boris Johnson with his girlfriend at a picnic table in the middle of nowhere, apparently oblivious to the person snapping away, was more see-through than the camera lens itself.
It was an obvious set-up, which makes you wonder how stupid he thinks we are.
He should remember we have social media now, where fakery is quickly exposed.
Neither of my sons has courted celebrity. They’ve stayed true to their roots and, as a result, people see them – thankfully – as being normal and genuine.
The PR representing Andy has known him for many years and understands what he’s about but, before that, there were occasions where he was asked to pose for photos with celebrities and he would always question why.
He was happy to meet and shake hands with someone, but he never saw the point of doing it just for publicity purposes.
When I saw the photos of Jeremy Hunt in Scotland posing with a can of Irn-Bru and some fish and chips, it looked staged and patronising.
And while I’m sure he and Boris are surrounded by spin doctors telling them what to do, you have to wonder what their core values are if they are being persuaded to pose for such daft pictures?
The public have become more savvy, and these leadership contenders appear worryingly out of touch.