In Happier Times, Filming 2006's "El Cantante"

Indicative in the above image (circa 2006), it seems that Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony were at their happiest when Marc Anthony took the lead, personally and professionally, and Jennifer Lopez was simply his beautiful Latina wife and his “muse” has Anthony referred to Lopez in Jennifer Lopez’s VH1 Behind the Music special, which aired last year.

Indeed, there was a time, post-Bennifer, when Marc Anthony was Jennifer Lopez’s knight in shining armor, revamping her damaged ego and damaged image, and helping the showy superstar to live a more tame, low-key life, letting Anthony take the lead on all things from their home life to how Lopez presented herself to the media. Anthony even directed some of Lopez’s musical efforts, like her effort at an all Spanish album, Como Ama Una Mujer (which got a luke warm reception from fans).

The problem, the wildly sexy and ambitious “JLo” would eventually re-emerge, much to Marc Anthony’s dismay.

According to People Magazine, which alleges the Jennifer Lopez/Marc Anthony union exploded over “jealousy, infidelity, and control,” this split did not come out of the blue, as assumed by the outside world, and even some insiders. The People Magazine cover story, written by Joey Bartolomeo, claims that it was “after months of non-stop arguing” that the couple finally called it quits. The People Magazine article even goes on to say that there were times when Lopez even feared that her husband was being unfaithful to her. Another insider in the article says that they “started to see life differently,” and goes on to refute issues of alleged infidelity on Anthony’s part.

TMZ and other news outlets are mocking Lopez’s decision to run off to Europe on a promotional tour for her latest album, LOVE?, and her personal appearance in the Ukraine where the “On The Floor” singer agreed to perform a private show for a wealthy European businessman and his friends for a whopping $1 million dollars. Strange choice of decisions in the midst of Lopez’s marriage breaking down, and where are 3 year old twins Max and Emme in all of this upheaval? Perhaps with Lopez’s family?

Lastly, as Anthony took to Twitter to praise Lopez being chosen as this year’s People Magazine’s “Most Beautiful Woman,” behind the scenes, an unnamed source says he was fuming over the wardrobe she was shot in for the People Magazine spread, asserting that he found Lopez’s wardrobe “too sexy and unbecoming for a 40-year-old mother of two.”

Marc, you married Jennifer Lopez!

Seven Year Itch

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony have decided to call it quits on their seven year marriage. The couple, who are parents to 3 year old twins, Max and Emme, released a statement to People Magazine stating, “We have decided to end our marriage. This was a very difficult decision. We have come to an amicable conclusion on all matters.”

The power couples’ official press statement continues, “It is a painful time for all involved and we appreciate the respect of our privacy at this time.”

Though seemingly happy for much of their seven year union, Jennifer Lopez did hint at marital strife with husband Marc Anthony in the past. Lopez revealed to US Weekly Magazine in an interview from several months ago that there was a time during her marriage to Marc Anthony when things got so turbulent between the two that she “could see what the end looked like.” She went on to tell US Weekly that she and Anthony decided to dig in and get their marriage back on track because their twins, Max and Emme, 3 years old, “are counting on us.”

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony’s relationship troubles have reportedly revolved around differences of opinion on where to make their homebase, with Anthony reportedly preferring the quiet serenity of their Brookville, Long Island, New York mansion while Lopez prefers the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles. Anthony also reportedly had some issues with Jennifer Lopez’s hectic American Idol schedule which won’t be slowing any time soon, as the magestar has signed on for another season.

From working in public relations for over ten years and running my own public relations firm, Allison Dawn PR, for nearly seven years I have learned what makes client/publicist relationships work and what doesn’t.

The single most important thing to consider when choosing a public relations or marketing firm to represent your company is a shared vision with similar values. It’s really that simple. As a personal example, Allison Dawn Public Relations tends to gel most effectively with companies and organizations that share a vision of strong work ethics, corporate responsibility, philanthropy and a general awareness that public relations and publicity is a long term career, and not a single, short term project.

Building, polishing and cultivating a public image that will resonate with the media, potential consumers and with your industrty’s insiders requires ongoing strategic planning and public relations efforts that consist of: traditional public relations, community outreach, viral marketing, online social media, philanthropic outreach, impeccable customer service and ongoing branding indentification strategy.

When a client signs with my PR Firm, and says they just want as many media placements in magazines and on television as possible in the shortest amount of time, I can do that for them. I can blitz the media with their product samples or service and pitch their company ad nauseum, and our firm has a good track record at getting media placements, but in our optinion that is only part of the picture. One issue with “quick fix” publicity is that there has to be a strong news angle or “hook” to get a large amount of publicity in a short amount of time. Very often, and many PR Firms will not fess up to this, but if the brand is unknown this requires something of a circus trick. You have to make the brand, product or service seem as outrageous and novel as possible to generate media interest quickly. Does that help in the long run? It depends whom you ask.

What I often try to explain to clients is that a better way to attract positive media attention that will likely last and build over time is to spend the first part of the marketing and public relations campaign making the client newsworthy. Doesn’t that make sense? Creating a strong foundation and public relations platform that we can then go to the press with has long lasting results. For instance, if product placement and buzz in the celebrity weeklies like US Weekly, Life & Style Weekly or Star Magazine is what a client has set their sites on, well then we need to first set our sites on building a celebrity following. The press then follows and it has a more organic feel. That is why we love to work with celebrity stylists, personal publicists, costume designers, and the like.

If a client’s goal is to eventually link up with a high profile charity that is headed up by a well known entertainer or politician, well then don’t we need to establish a resume, so-to-speak, of philanthropic work that will impress that particular targeted person?

I could cite endless examples. The point is, don’t put the cart before the horse. Everyone will see what’s in your cart but it won’t go anywhere.