March 18, 2009

Alex Rodriguez's Details Magazine Photos Damage His Reputation

PHOTO: A-Rod Kisses Reflection in Mirror - photo by Steven Klein

AS SEEN IN THE NEW YORK TIMES - WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2009

Striking a Pose Before Drug Revelations
By Lynn Zinser

For Yankees’ third baseman Alex Rodriguez, a cover story and eye-opening photo shoot for Details magazine could hardly have come at a less opportune time. He agreed to the project in late December, when it may have seemed like a good way to raise his fashion profile. Instead, he sat for the interview on Feb. 5, the day he found out that his positive test of steroids in 2003 would soon be publicly disclosed.

For Details, the timing was splendid.

“You look at the pictures and you have to wonder what he is thinking,” said Alex Bhattacharji, an articles editor for Details magazine. “He was totally at ease."

"It led us to believe he was either relieved it was coming out or he didn’t realize it would come out so soon," Bhattacharji, in reference to the steroid revelations. "We either lucked into or fell into the time period that adds a head-scratching element to the whole question of who Alex is.”

The article, written by Jason Gay, describes Rodriguez as relaxed during his interview with Details, even though Sports Illustrated reporter Selena Roberts had approached him that same day to ask about his positive drug test. He was taking no frantic phone calls and did not hint at any turmoil, Gay wrote, adding that Rodriguez drank shots of tequila during the photo shoot and posed without complaint.

The photographer, Steven Klein and creative director, Rockwell Harwood chose the setting for the pictures, a bare-bones gym in Tampa, Fla., and they suggested the poses, including the one in which Rodriguez kisses his own reflection. Bhattacharji said Rodriguez could have declined any of the shots.

Mike Paul, a public relations executive who is the founder of the New York-based MGP & Associates PR, wondered why Rodriguez's representatives did not object to the images. "Even before the steroids scandal, he already had a reputation in crisis that was ongoing because of his personal life," he said.

The day after the interview, Gay wrote, Rodriguez tried repeatedly to contact him. He asked Gay not to write what he said was his favorite Madonna song, fearful that it would be played before every at-bat on the road.

Rodriguez may have been posing for a magazine aimed at fashion-conscious men, but Gay described him as unhip, writing, "Stylewise, he's a little Fred Rogers, a little Jerry Seinfeld."

PHOTO: A-Rod's Self Love - photo by Steven Klein

Remember, do the right thing when your reputation is in crisis and seek the counsel of an experienced reputation management expert. It will be a major challenge, but ultimately the rewards of repairing your reputation will be great. Why? Because Your Reputation Is Everything!™

About Mike Paul

Mike Paul is editor of The Reputation Doctor blog. The Reputation Doctor is a nickname given to him by various clients. Mike's blog is located at www.ReputationDoctor.com. He appears regularly on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News Channel, TruTV (formerly Court TV), ABC News, ESPN, CBS News, BBC, and others as a weekly contributor and expert in the global news regarding corporations, CEOs, celebrities, athletes, politicians and other public organizations and public individuals with reputations in crisis. Mr. Paul is also president and senior counselor of MGP & Associates PR (www.mgppr.com), a leading strategic public relations and reputation management firm based in New York. For interview requests, keynote speeches, senior counseling or other business opportunities with Mr. Paul, call 212-595-8500 or email info@mgppr.com.

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Comments:

Comment from: quhole [Visitor] · http://www.picktorrent.com/

I think, this photos are great!

Aug 26, 2009, 3:07 am

Comment from: Puneet [Visitor] · http://www.puneetvaghela.com

To be fair, A Rod has never been in the limelight for his fashion sense. He's a premier class sportsman, who, despite the drug scandal, can still be considered an ace in MLB. I'm not sure how flattering the pictures of him are (although his arms are huge!), but I wouldn't go as far as saying it harmed his reputation. The affair with Madonna probably did more than these pictures.

Sep 9, 2009, 7:53 am

Comment from: Andy Morgan [Visitor] · http://www.accidentandinjuryclaims.co.uk

I don't understand why i effected his image. There is nothing wrong in it. Yes it may be wrong in the eyes of those who thinks in negative way but if you think in positive way it wont effect.

Jan 4, 2010, 6:16 pm

Comment from: Mike Capson [Visitor] · http://www.informativecomputersolutions.com

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Dec 13, 2009, 8:39 pm

Comment from: domain name registration [Visitor] · http://www.fastvision.com/Domains.fvnx

I don't see whats wrong with the photos, they look great.

Jan 18, 2010, 6:07 am

Comment from: Torrent download [Visitor] · http://www.btscene.com

Great post and awesome pictures

Nov 17, 2009, 10:58 am

Comment from: Mandy Margolies [Visitor]

Shall we talk about Abu Graib and its impact on US foreign relations? As you know, that is my discipline.

M. Vick and the NFL are hurting US foreign relations.

Lets discuss.

Shall we have lunch?

Jul 29, 2009, 12:13 am

Comment from: vest [Visitor] · http://www.globalcanadameds.com/

Photos very interesting for me, so thanks

Dec 14, 2009, 1:43 am

Comment from: Dentists Frisco [Visitor] · http://www.mckinney-dentists.com/

It's a terrible thing, but if he can just leave it off, then it's fine.

Jul 23, 2009, 1:44 am

Comment from: Karen [Visitor]

I agree - I think celebrity representatives should help them avoid mistakes like this.

Apr 14, 2009, 5:35 am

Comment from: Ares Vista [Visitor] · http://www.ares.net

Baseball has become another black eye on the face of America. It's a shame, and everyone involved should be embarrassed and resign.

Jun 9, 2009, 11:29 am

Comment from: Gill [Visitor] · http://www.health-free-tips.com/legal-steroids.htm

We shouldn't worry about Alex's reputation, he is building a new one as we speak, apparently admitting using steroids brought him a great deal of publicity. People write articles about him, even some steroids are named after him...

Jun 9, 2009, 3:46 pm

Comment from: Paolo [Visitor] · http://www.paolo.cc

it's strange... it seems like two different guys...

Jun 12, 2009, 1:26 pm

Comment from: cisco exams [Visitor] · http://www.cisco-certification-exam.com

Mistake is embarrassing us all. Any remedy for it?

Jul 4, 2009, 7:13 am

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