Publicists Discuss Long Term Effects on Chris Brown’s Career

New York, NY – Apparently, it seems as though Chris Brown can now breathe a sigh relief as his legal problems are now behind him as his plea deal seems to have dissolved his long strenuous dilemma. An obstacle, I’m sure, he’s glad to overcome. The only problem now, it leaves questions on whether or not this is the end. Since the beginning, media surrounding the incident made him out to a monster, putting his career in question. After pleading guilty at his recent trial and admitting wrong, experts are stating that something of this nature might put his musical career at risk. Early on in the year, after the incident, Brown began losing most, if not all, his endorsements and sponsors.

Publicity has and always will be a huge factor amongst artists in the industry. The people behind public relations are responsible for media control and the public credibility for the artist in any situation they are put into. Publicists Tamiko Hope and Rhona Fox recently discussed the effects this passing situation will have on the young R&B star as told to MTV News and 24hourhiphop.com.

Tamiko Hope, who is a publicist for Atlanta MC Shawty Lo, recently spoke to MTV News about the aftermath of the Chris Brown/Rihanna trial giving her expert opinion on how it will weigh on Brown’s career.

These were her comments:

“I do believe it would have been a much different story had Rihanna testified, especially given the damaging information that was leaked early on. But with almost five months having passed since this ordeal began and people having had time to marinate on what happened, as well as seeing both parties move on with their lives in the media, I think the general public is ready to see this come to an official close.

With that said I still think it will be a difficult and long road ahead for Chris Brown as he tries to regain order to his personal and professional life. He will have to prove himself to be real before he will be able to re-establish his career. This is someone who had a squeaky-clean public image, a young man who was a favorite amongst the Nickelodeon crowd and beyond, who now has a tarnished reputation, something that he will forever be linked to. People might not talk about it as much as time passes, but they never forget.

I think he should use this as an opportunity to help other young people who are involved in domestic-violence situations, whether it be him doing speaking engagements at schools or actively participating in programs and/or organizations that are specifically related to domestic violence,” she said. “It would be great for him to also mentor young boys about how to properly channel their anger, with the help of experts in that field. In anything he does, it needs to be done out of sincerity — a need to really want to be better — because I think people can at least empathize with you when you’re trying to right a wrong.”

New York-based music publicist Rhona Fox has worked with top names in the industry like Shaggy and Lil Jon, and represented events such as T.I.’s ‘Live Your Life Concert’ and the recent Best of the Best show featuring Flo Rida, Rick Ross, and Young Jeezy. She currently works with rising R&B/Hip-Hop star Black Dada. As an expert in the field, Fox added her own opinion about the Chris Brown/Rihanna aftermath and the effects it will have on his tarnished career as sent via email to 24hourhiphop.com.

These were her comments:

“The case is over but the moral, personal and professional ramifications from this tragic situation will plague Chris Brown for the rest of his life and probably thereafter. It’s a permanent stain on the name of one of America’s favorite pop stars of all-time, with every vile detail splashed across headlines, tattooing minds around the world and transcending age, race and gender barriers. We’re professionals and can spin anything, but the degree of the assault – placing the life one of the world’s most famous faces in jeopardy – is an obvious challenge for any marketing team to revert Brown’s reputation to his brand, his target audience being teenage girls. The leaks from the case, images evident of his destructive nature, and now a guilty plea, directly undermine every Chris Brown lyric and song from the past, and claim insincerity for those to come.

Professionally, he’s a pariah for the music industry including advertisers and concert promoters. His rotation has severely declined; many deejays have publicly refused to spin his hit singles. In New York right now you can hardly hear a Chris Brown record on the air, and when you do, you think of Rihanna. Perhaps time will help regain his spin factor and commercial appeal, but it’s doubtful his image can ever be repaired. Bottom line, we’ve seen felons and so on make it to the top, but never anyone who tried to kill America’s pop princess.

Ironically enough, the best thing that happened to Chris Brown during the resulting public outcry is Rihanna. The fact that she reunited with him after a brief estrangement showed the world she was not afraid of him. That immediately made him acceptable to society again and was the best tactic his team could have ever orchestrated. Now that they are both court-ordered to stay away from each other (at least 50 yards, except for industry events where it’s 10 yards apart), Chris Brown will never be able to stand under her umbrella, literally and figuratively. Hopefully Rihanna can be strong and keep her end of the bargain, for her fans and her own well-being. Brown’s publicist doesn’t have to worry about finding a new client anytime soon; there’s work to be done and the campaign starts right now.”

In prospective, it is not just Chris Brown’s career in question, Rihanna also has an undetermined future ahead of her. Experts say that the Barbados native’s career will stay strong; however, it will take some time to return to its usual state. Chris Brown’s, however, is still in question. Execs are still wondering if Brown can still be marketed and regain the fans’ confidence in him, some skeptics even say that he should have served time. We will just have to wait and see what happens over the course of the year as time passes.

Keep posted to 24hourhiphop.com for updated news on the ongoing Chris Brown/Rihanna situation. Is it the end or just the beginning?

Artists Weigh In on the Aftermath of the Chris Brown Trial

Westwood, CA – We all knew the day would come when Chris Brown would eventually have to face judgment. That day has come and gone. In light of the recent trial that has been all over the media, especially with his decision to enter the final guilty plea, fans and artists alike are reacting to the conclusion quite differently. It seems as though the industry wasn’t ready for his plea, but fortunately, he did not have to serve time.

During the red carpet event for the release of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen in California, MTV News was on the scene and of course, they didn’t fail to inquire about Chris Brown and his recent attributes. After the trial, it was apparent that Chris Brown was on all their minds and they weren’t hesitant to speak upon the recent situation. Interestingly enough, lead actress of the sequel to Transformers, Megan Fox, had no comment about the situation and was firm about her answer.
Transformers star Tyrese commented stating that he wished the two could have been at the movie release, adding that it would have all been in good positive energy:

“I just wish they were [It would help them] to embrace this energy at this premiere.”

A-Town starlet, Ciara, included her comments about Rihanna and Brown as they are no strangers to each other’s work:

“I support both artists; it’s a very personal process.”

Ex-Danity Kane member, Aubrey O’ Day, added her two cents about Brown commenting that because the way the world is today, we should forgive and forget:

“Violence is never the answer — even if provoked, but with bigger issues like war, we just need to let go and forgive. Let people move on.”

Cast member of Law & Order and star of the first Transformers film also added his comments about the young R&B vocalist stating that he will continue to purchase his albums regardless of Brown’s situation:

“I wish them well. I’m not going to let a personal instance taint my opinion of someone musically.”

At press time, Brown was fortunate as not to receive prison time, however, he was sentenced to five years of probation and 180 days of community service. Experts say the reason for the plea deal was so Rihanna wouldn’t have to testify as the victim and main witness in the trial.