Is It in the Stars?

“Just having a celebrity connected to your cause doesn’t really guarantee anything,” she adds. “You have to do something with that celebrity’s name and/or likeness.”

Ask the right questions
Before your organization begins recruiting a potential celebrity spokesperson, it’s critical you answer a number of internal questions.

• Why do you want or need a celebrity spokesperson? Your staff and board members should carefully discuss this question, listing all the pros and cons of involving a celebrity. A written plan of action and a job description for the celebrity are a must.

• What do you want the celebrity to do for you? Are you simply looking to add a name on your stationery or is this person going to be your media star? Will this person represent your organization on talk shows, during press conferences and as a central focus of special events?

• When do you want the celebrity to join your organization? Ed Yoe, president of EdYoe.com, which specializes in talent exclusively for private events, charities and benefits, suggests it takes at least six to eight months to recruit the right celebrity and to make all preparations for his or her involvement. “The more time you spend up front, the better your end product will be if you give yourself plenty of time to find the right celebrity for your unique needs,” he says.

• Where are you located and how far would the celebrity have to travel? Yoe suggests that charitable organizations on the East Coast look to find celebrities living in New York or Florida. West Coast organizations should look to Hollywood. And organizations in the Midwest should look in every direction. “Traveling time is a key consideration for celebrities,” he says.

• How are you planning to locate and recruit a celebrity? Both Yoe and Tateel encourage e-mails and phone calls. They agree the more information you have, the better your chances of finding the right celebrity. They also suggest researching celebrities on the Internet, reviewing industry publications and talking to other organizations that use celebrities.

• How much do you have to spend on a celebrity spokesperson? Although a celebrity might agree to support your cause pro bono, he or she still has to travel, eat, sleep and sometimes bring along support personnel. Most celebrities are not paid for their charity service, but the use of an honorarium is fairly standard. An honorarium can range from a low of $1,000 to more than $100,000.

• Who do you have in mind to serve as your celebrity spokesperson?

“A charitable organization should consider at least three different celebrities, because probably one or two aren’t going to be available,” Yoe suggests. “Do your homework. Find out who has a connection or an affinity to your mission.”