Good and Bad PR

A Vogue PR Move?

by Jill

LeBron James has done what few men have done before – but this time, it was off the basketball court. James is only the third man to ever grace the cover of Vogue magazine, joining Richard Gere and George Clooney in this exclusive group. This month’s historic issue features James holding supermodel Gisele Bundchen in what was seemingly supposed to be a juxtaposition of beauty and brawn. But not everyone sees it that way.

ESPN commentator Jemele Hill has posted a different view on her blog. Hill believes that the cover image promotes racial stereotypes, with James crouched over in all black with an angry look on his face while Bundchen is the picture of beauty and innocence in his grasp. She feels that the image “successfully reinforces the animalistic stereotypes frequently associated with black athletes”, comparing James and Bundchen to King Kong and Fay Wray respectively.

Hill’s comments have spurred controversy, with outlets like The Today Show exploring the cover as both a simple image of two of the world’s most famous people and as an illustration of the abundance of racial and sexual stereotypes in the media.

Take a look at the cover.

Do you think this was a good PR move for the squeaky clean James or an unnecessary risk at bad publicity?

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  1. Jill, I think this is a fun cover and very different for Vogue – so I am going with a good PR move.


    — Michelle    Mar 28, 12:33 PM    #

  2. I also think this is a good PR move. I love how you worded this, “a juxtaposition of beauty and brawn.” I think the intent was nothing more than just that.


    — Kate    Mar 28, 12:35 PM    #

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