Celebrity PR Strategy, Tips, and Tactics (2025 Guide)

Whether we realize it or not, we often feel as though we know the celebrities we love on a personal level.

• We follow them on social media, so we know what they're up to.
• We watch podcasts and interviews with them, so we see how they think.
• We've seen candid photos and videos of them, so we understand their mannerisms.
• We see their campaigns, so we resonate with their values.
• We see ourselves in them, so we adopt some of their traits as our own.

In a lot of ways, your favorite famous people are like extensions of you. You respect them and what they stand for, so being their fan becomes part of your identity.

But the reality is that they're just good at what they do. Like everyone, they're real people. But (almost) everything they post to social media, say on podcasts, or do in public is carefully calculated.

And the reason you feel so strongly about them is that they have a good PR team behind them.

What is a celebrity?

There are four main types of influencers:

• Nano influencers: These are your everyday people who have smaller but very engaged audiences. They generally have under 10k followers and are well-known for niche activities (e.g., beauty tutorials, cooking demos, etc.).
• Micro influencers: These have a slightly larger following, usually between 10k and 100k followers, and primarily specialize in niche topics like fitness, finance, or travel.
• Macro influencers: Macros have a much broader reach and typically have anywhere from 100k to 1 million followers. They are characteristically well-known for their personalities and interests.
• Mega influencers: These are the big names in the industry, people like Kim Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, and Gigi Hadid. Megas have strong followings of 1 million+ and usually show up in content for fashion/beauty products, clothing brands, luxury goods, travel, and lifestyle-related posts.

Celebrities are the mega influencers. They command the attention of a broad audience of millions, and their fans are passionate about them. In general, media outlets report on their behavior and their fanbases keep up with the news.

While the exact definition of "celebrity" may vary from person to person, generally speaking a celebrity is someone who:

• Has a large and passionate fanbase
• Appears in major publications, media outlets, and other high profile places
• Is often talked about and followed by the general public
• Has a large social media following and strong online presence
• Has an impact on fashion, pop culture, or other fields of entertainment

Within the "celebrity" category, there are a few levels, from B-list celebrities to A-list stars. The best examples of this are major Hollywood stars like Kim Kardashian and Rihanna. But many other lesser-known celebrities have made names for themselves in their respective industries.

What is PR, and how do celebrities use it?

For celebrities, public relations (PR) is the strategic practice of managing communications between an organization, public figure, or celebrity, and the public. It involves media relations, crisis management, brand and identity management, marketing initiatives, event visibility, and earning press coverage.

PR tactics serve three purposes: to create a favorable image of the celebrity or public figure, generate positive publicity, and get people talking about them.

The goal is to ensure that fans think fondly of the celebrity. In turn, this makes them willing to part with their money in support of them, whether that's by buying tickets to their shows, wearing their merchandise, or investing in their brands.

Do celebrities need PR services?

To answer in one word: Yes.

Everyone seems to want the coveted life of a celebrity — the fame, the money, and all that comes with it. Especially on social media, celebrity life is glamorized, envied, and worth aspiring to. But what many fail to realize is the amount of work that goes into curating that image.

If you're a celeb, here are five ways PR services can help:

PR services help celebrities face unfair criticism (and the stress that comes with it).

Having millions of followers means millions are always watching. And that means that there will always be people ready to criticize them.

Countless public figures have cracked under the pressure of fame, and countless more are scrutinized for things out of their control. "Cancel culture" can be a serious threat to public figures who have national exposure.

When Kylie Jenner posted a photo to Instagram with Travis Scott, her partner, in front of their private jets, fans immediately criticized her for being “tone-deaf” and “insensitive” in the midst of a global pandemic.

Would it have mattered to anyone if it weren't Kylie Jenner who posted it? Probably not.

Small random criticisms on social media are one example of the bigger picture. And because of the massive amounts of scrutiny, many celebrities have caved in to public pressure, gone seemingly crazy, or broken down completely under the stress of it all.

Celebrities are humans, too. And the right PR strategy can help them take a proactive approach to protecting both their mental health and public appearance.

A PR agency can help celebrities navigate a PR crisis.

Even if a celebrity does everything right, a PR crisis can still occur. And it is essential to have the right team in place to handle it quickly and effectively.

Remember back in 2009, when Tiger Woods' car accident led to revelations of multiple affairs? He lost over $20 million in endorsements from that. And to the public, who was once a "sports hero" could only be seen as a "cheater."

Woods’ team orchestrated a formal public apology and a five-month-long retreat, and the public was seeing headlines like these:

Then, they staged a carefully managed comeback narrative around redemption and resilience.

And if you're a victim of a dark PR campaign, an agency like Influize can also work with you to release factual, image-repairing information about the situation through press release distribution services.

Public relations professionals help celebrities control their narratives.

Famous people can't control everything that the media says about them. But they can control some of it, and they can certainly control what they say and how they present themselves to the public.

Again, this is where a PR agency comes in. Celebrity PR managers work alongside the celebrities to craft their narrative, manage their brand identity and reputation, and use the media to promote positive messages about their work or lifestyle.

PR agencies also have the expertise to recognize what type of content resonates with fans and how to create an emotionally engaging relationship between the celebrity and their fans.

With the right PR approach, celebrities can become integral parts of a larger narrative that shapes public opinion and influences future events.

Outsourcing PR saves time for busy celebs.

The importance of PR isn't just that it helps celebrities manage their public image and protect their mental health—it also saves them time.

Celebrities often have busy schedules and little free time.

Usually, public relations involves:

• Crafting PR campaigns that are tailored to their specific celebrity needs and goals
• Handling the media and responding to press inquiries
• Working with other influencers and leveraging social media platforms
• Building relationships with sponsors, PR outlets, bloggers, bloggers, and podcasters
• Managing several social media accounts, including when and where to post, what to say, and how to respond to commenters
• Staying up-to-date with PR trends and staying ahead of current events
• Having a damage control and mitigation plan for dark PR or a PR disaster

These are all time-consuming tasks that require an immense amount of effort. Outsourcing PR to celebrity PR firms can help them avoid taking on more tasks than they can handle and focus on what's important to them.

Professional PR service providers know how to measure the success of a PR campaign.

Even if a celebrity did everything right, never had someone attack them in the media, successfully managed all their accounts, and had a tight grip on the media, measuring the success of their PR efforts would still be a challenge.

Personal brands are run like businesses. That's why we measure quantitative and qualitative metrics for all of our celebrity clients:

• Media mentions (volume)
• Media quality and tier
• Message pull-through
• Positive vs. negative coverage
• Audience sentiment
• Share of voice (SOV)
• Engagement on PR content
• Brand trust and reputation scores

And since an agency will report on these things for the celeb, they can identify opportunities to improve their PR strategy and better reach their target audience.

5 successful PR strategies for celebrities

PR for celebrities requires an extensive strategy and plan, often including both traditional and digital/social media channels and press release types.

Traditional PR methods—such as press releases, interviews, and photo shoots—are still relevant for creating a public figure's presence. But social media has become increasingly integrated into celebrity PR as well, as it can be used to reach larger and more engaged audiences.

When creating a PR strategy for celebrities, these five tips should be taken into consideration.

Hire a celebrity PR firm.

When you hire a PR manager, look for one who specializes in celebrity public relations. When looking for a solid agency to handle your public relations and media strategy, use the following criteria:

• Are they well-connected with the media outlets you want to target? You probably have an idea of which outlets are the best fit for your message, so make sure they have a solid relationship with those.
• Do they understand current trends in celebrity PR? A good agency will be up to date on new and emerging trends in the world of public relations, such as social media and brand collaborations.
• Are they genuinely interested in working with you? If you're famous, chances are at least a few PR firms have heard of you. Make sure you choose one that is genuinely interested in working with you and understands your goals and expectations.
• Do they have a track record of successful campaigns for celebrities in your field? Rule out any PR firms that have been responsible for numerous bad campaigns.

Also remember that working with a PR firm isn't a magic solution. It's a partnership, and you will need to be proactive and involved in the process if you want your positive press coverage to have an impact.

Partner with smaller influencers.

The average person has grown skeptical of polished, high-profile PR stunts. Why? Because people know they’re paying for it and assume the celebs couldn’t care less about the product, service, or cause they’re representing. Most large celebrities are so far removed from the average person's reality that they struggle to make a genuine connection with their audience.

Particularly with the rise in popularity of TikTok and user-generated content (UGC), local and micro influencers are the opposite. This is precisely why they take up 91% of the influencer market: because they come off as more genuine, trustworthy, and personable.

As a celebrity, teaming up with micro-influencers can help you:

• Humanize your message
• Reach niche audiences
• Bridge the trust gap

They can also provide a more authentic, grassroots approach to PR and reach audiences who may not be connected to the mainstream media.

Let's say you're P. Diddy (only for a second though! #nodiddy), and you're coming out with CÎROC's version of a canned vodka soda. The first thing you'd do is send cases to micro influencers to review and share on their social media accounts, like this:

You might also partner with college universities known for partying, popular nightclubs that aren't "basic" or "mainstream," or a local bar that has a cult following.

Even in a major city like LA or New York, this will have a profound impact on brand equity and acceptance.

Start investing in press releases.

There are several different types of press releases: news announcements, product launches, corporate updates, special offers, and more. You might not know which ones will have the greatest positive effect on your public image, but the best thing you can do is start focusing some of your energy on getting them out there.

Take Timothée Chalamet's unconventional marketing tactics for his 2024 role in the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown. His press campaign included surprise performances, niche interviews, and appearing at the London premiere on a Lime e-bike, which aligned him in real life with Dylan's rebellious spirit.

This is the kind of out-of-the-box thinking we prioritize heavily at Influize, and it's a great way to get your message out there without spending too much time or money on production. Releases can also be used as a platform to showcase your accomplishments and provide insight into the experiences you have had in your industry.

Find a way to humanize yourself.

People typically respond well to celebrities who can relate to their everyday lives. That's why it's important that you find a way to humanize yourself in the public eye, whether it's through media interviews or social media posts.

To be successful at this, think about your goals and what personality traits you want to portray. Then work on building those traits by taking advantage of opportunities to show the world your "authentic" self.

For example, if you're an actor who wants to be seen as down-to-earth and approachable, make sure you take time out of your busy schedule to meet with fans or do interviews where you can answer questions candidly. Talking about hobbies or personal interests can also help make you more relatable.

One of the most common strategies for this is podcasting (Think Jake and Logan Paul). Having a meaningful conversation with someone who has similar interests to your own can be a great way to show that you are personable and easygoing.

You could also create a secret social media account that is dedicated to something you love. Lorde, for example, has an Instagram account solely dedicated to rating onion rings.

Cole Sprouse's Instagram account is just photos of other people trying to secretly take photos of him.

Participate in media events.

Speaking of media events, they're extremely beneficial for celebrities. Not only do they help build relationships with the press, but they also give you an opportunity to showcase your talents and accomplishments in front of a large audience.

Whether it's attending awards shows, giving interviews on popular talk shows, or participating in Q&As at film festivals, taking advantage of any chance to get in front of the camera can be highly beneficial (especially if you have the floor to speak).

A recent example is Michelle Obama, who used her 2025 appearance on The Diary of a CEO to address rumors about her marriage to Barack Obama.

In some cases, celebrities or their management teams will be contacted to appear. But usually, the inner workings of who gets invited to appear on the show is pitched, negotiated, and exchanged for by representatives for PR firms.

If you hire a PR agency, we can make this process completely hands-off for you, as we've already got the connections in place to get you noticed by the right people.

To sum it all up...

In addition to doing their normal jobs (e.g., creating content, filming movies, etc.), celebrities need to take an active role in managing their own publicity. Investing time and energy into crafting a public image that's tailored to your goals and personality is essential for long-term success.

From navigating imminent PR catastrophes to getting invited to media events, there are several ways to ensure you remain in the public eye for all the right reasons. The key is to find a balance that works for you and your career ambitions.

By taking steps to control their PR strategically, public figures can ensure their reputations remain protected and that their work is enjoyed by a wider audience for years to come.