Are Celebrity Gifting Suites Losing Their Status?
Posted by Beth on 4th March 2010
It seems as though anyone these days can gain access to the ‘Celebrity Only’ Gifting Suites that usually happen days before an awards show. The Suites go into over-drive during award season in Hollywood, where “gift” is a verb, and swag suites are as common as open bars and black-tie parties. Take Snookie and her “Jersey Shore” cast mates for instance, who perused the offerings at a recent Golden Globe gifting suite. (I am still trying to figure that one out). They weren’t up for any awards, and yet had no problems what so ever filling their bags with custom-made jewelry, certificates for spa treatments, Lasik surgery if you can believe that, and clothing, shoes and perfume.
The way it usually works, and the folks who are there promoting their goods can only hope, is that the rich-and-famous celebs load up on free stuff they could easily afford, and don’t even need. In return, they pose for photos with the products they receive, and companies use those pictures to promote their brands.
However, this is slowly changing in a way that has a lot of people feeling slighted, and the once famous gifting suites are beginning to sour. As gifting has become more popular and more public, top stars rarely even show up anymore. They might be hoping for Sandra Bullock and Jeff Bridges, but end up with Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt. The press, who also play a big role in getting their product exposed, linked to a celebrity, and in turn increasing revenue, receive nothing when attending these suites, but reality stars like ‘Snookie’ are treated like A-list Celebrities.
Understandably it would be in poor taste, especially in this economy, for a Matt Damon-caliber celebrity to be photographed carrying a big bag of free swag, but who is getting them, is definitely changing the status of what was once a very exclusive event. So much so, that now, gifting firms send their swanky gift bags directly to the stars’ homes so they can enjoy their goods in private.
In the end, the ultimate goal of any of these Gifting Suites is to sell more products, and gain even more exposure, but I seriously doubt anyone will be running out to get Lasik surgery, or beauty products from Valerie just because they saw a snap shot of ‘Snookie’ holding a gift bag.
Tags: best site celebrity beauty, best site celebrity coverage, Gifting Suites changing in Hollywood, The Bender Sisters hit the Red Carpet Oscars 2010
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