Turns out, although ABC’s Scandal has some pretty outrageous
characters and plots, the show is actually based off a real woman! The main
character of Scandal, Olivia Pope, a crisis management expert or “fixer” is
actually based directly off Judy Smith.
Judy Smith graduated with a public relations degree from
Boston University and founded her own strategic and crisis communication firm
called Smith & Company where, like Olivia Pope, Smith represents many high-profile
political, athletic and entertainment figures including Kobe Bryant and Paula
Deen.
Smith has even been the public relations expert behind the
scenes of many real-life scandals that have made national news. For example,
one of Smith’s biggest cases was representing Monica Lewinsky after news broke
of her relationship with President Clinton.
She was also the PR expert behind the scenes of a scandal
that erupted in 2007 after professional football player Michael Vick was
accused of operating a dog-fighting ring in Virginia.
As if that wasn’t enough, Smith even worked in the White
House! During her time as Special Assistant and Deputy Press Secretary for the
Bush Administration, she provided the president with communication advice
regarding the Gulf War and US-Kuwaiti relations.
Obviously, Judy Smith has a very impressive resume that
definitely warrants a hit-television show but a lot can also be learned from
her successful career. For example, never talk about your clients: Obviously,
the scandals Smith has been involved in were splashed across all media outlets.
However, until recently most had never heard of Judy Smith. This is because she
has a reputation of never speaking of her past clients, which is definitely a
necessity in crisis PR.
Many have asked Smith the key to her success and her
response is a lesson to be remembered for all aspiring PR professionals: “Constant
work and focus,” she explains. In most careers in PR, professionals will be
handling many different accounts and clients; therefore, it is necessary to
work hard and stay focused to keep up with their demanding needs.
Do you think Judy Smith’s wide range of clients and success
makes her the ultimate PR star?
This guest blog post was written by PRowl Staff Member Emily Charles.
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