This is my blog. I can say what I f***en like..... right?

Are people considered brands? Of course.

But the big question is, to what extent are you accountable to those who perceive the brand "you"? What exactly is the brand you intend to project and where do you cross the line between your brand perception and your personal life? For companies this is an easier task to manage than individuals. Companies strategically develop their brands through an internal/external marketing entity in order to be perceived a certain way. However what happens when a person becomes a well known brand? In essence they are the company and their actions control how their brand is perceived. On many occasions their brand only represents a certain aspect of themselves ie celebrities and athletes.

Just recently, Australian swimmer Stephanie Rice posted a "homophobic slur" on twitter which read: "Suck on that f*ggots!" (most likely not intending to attach any homophobic connotations) following the Wallabies victory over South Africa. That statement itself is of course politically incorrect on all levels and would cause offense to some people who read it. Consequently Rice was dropped by luxury car sponsor Jaguar and her $100,000+ Jaguar XF that was given to her part of the sponsorship deal was confiscated.

Bad judgement on her behalf? Probably. In the heat of the moment she got "excited" and tweeted something inappropriate. I'm sure we've all blurted something inappropriate at the wrong time some time or another, however in Rice's case, she is a brand - a well known brand. Knowing she has sponsors with vested interests in their own brands, ie Jaguar, Davenport, Sunrice, there needs to be a constant awareness that everything she says in the public domain will be seen by everyone and if the wrong things are said it will be heard.. by many.

Were her tweets from her personal twitter account, which have no affiliations with anybody but herself inappropriate? It can be argued that the intended audience wasn't the public forum but to her close friends, and those who don't agree or take offense to what she says should just ignore it. Celebrities and sporting figures become role models and sometimes don't ask to be role models. Do they still have a responsibility to act accordingly and politically correct just to satisify everyone and make sure they don't offend anybody? Can't they just live their lives the way they want?

I'd like to hear your thoughts.