Lesson In Class
Are Bentley's spokespeople really any classier than Paris Hilton? Carmaker lookspink & petty
Add Bentley Motors to the list of companies who prefer to keep high-profile (albeit slightly unsavory) consumers out of their marketing campaign.
Forbes reported that Bentley considers Paris Hilton and her "type" to be "brand-deflating." Although Hilton has been happily driving her customized, hot pink $200,000 Bentley Continental GT since 2008 — and despite the fact that she has been almost retreating from the spotlight in recent years — the car company has now decided to distance itself from the celebrity.
Maybe it's those ancient sex tapes that damaged her reputation. Or the cocaine possession charges. Or the vapid and poorly-rated reality TV shows.
Bentley wants to class it up a bit to appeal to "young, monied drivers."
So who has the company wrangled to sell its $212,800 convertible? Carine Roitfeld — former editor of Vogue Paris (though, at 57, I wouldn't exactly call her "young"). Hunky Argentine polo player and model Ignacio "Nacho" Figueras — who apparently summers with Beth Ostrosky Stern (wife of Howard Stern) in a "strictly platonic relationship." And Peter M. Brant, billionaire and art collector.
Certainly an affluent bunch. Are they classier than Paris?
