Martin Eisenstadt’s Blog

I’m finding that representing a titan of American entertainment like Mel Gibson can be quite challenging for a contrition crisis management consultant such as myself.  While it’s gratifying to see that certain gossipy websites like HollyScoop are responsibly covering the story, there are other less reputable sites such as RadarOnline who continually try to pour gasoline on the inflammatory personal life of Mr. Gibson. I had my own run-in with Radar when one of their so-called reporters, wrote this to my assistant Danny the other day:

Please contact me on 323 658 2xxx

Danny replied:

From: Danny [mailto:daniel.sadler@eisenstadtgroup.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2010 12:31 PM
To: Renfrew, Cliff
Subject: Cliff - thanks for the email…

Cliff - Sorry, but I’m not authorized to speak directly to reporters myself. But if you’re interested in speaking with my boss, Martin Eisenstadt, CEO of the EisenstadtGroup, I’m happy to pass on the message and have him call you. thanks, Danny

To which the curt Cliff replied:

I do not think you guys are legitimate please call me asap 323 658 2xxx.

 Cliff Renfrew

So I did. I left a nice message on Mr. Renfrew’s answering machine, and despite my busy travel days (as you can imagine, it’s been a little hectic around the office), I dictated the following email, which Danny promptly sent from my account:

From: MartyEisenstadt [mailto:martin@eisenstadtgroup.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 15, 2010 2:50 PM
To: Renfrew, Cliff
Cc: daniel.sadler@eisenstadtgroup.com
Subject: Cliff - re: Mr. Gibson

Cliff - per your request, I just left a message on your phone.  Forgive me, I’m traveling today, and Danny had a hard time reaching me earlier.

 

As for your email, I must say that to hear a tabloid site that’s been trafficking in unconfirmed audiotapes from Mr. Gibson questioning MY legitimacy gave me a little chuckle.  But I respect your chutzpah and I’m happy to answer your questions.

 

As to the issue at hand, we think those accusing Mr. Gibson show that this is another example of the Hollywood and Washington elites misreading the mood of the country. I find it a curious coincidence that the release of these alleged tapes was timed to the death of Mr. Gibson’s longtime agent Ed Limato, followed closely by Ari Emanuel’s swift dismissal of Mr. Gibson from the William Morris Endeavor agency.  The nature of Mr. Emanuel’s fraternal relationship with President Obama’s chief of staff, Rahm Emanuel, only makes me think that this has nothing to do with a man having a heated discussion with his child’s Russian mother.  Rather, this strikes me as some sort of delayed cultural payback for Mr. Gibson exercising his freedom of expression for his film “The Passion of the Christ.”  After making untold millions for his agency and for his friends in the Hollywood elite, it is sad to see their galling lack of gratitude and loyalty to him.

 

I hope that helps.

 

Sincerely,

Martin Eisenstadt

CEO & Founder, EisenstadtGroup

ME:ds

To which Mr. Renfrew of the esteemed RadarOnline replied even more curtly:

It doesn’t.

Now I’ve dealt with plenty of ochre-tinted journalists in my days in Washington, and I certainly hold no grudges against anyone who plies in the murky waters of gossip, innuendo and rumor - I wouldn’t have a career in this town if I did.  In fact, some of my best friends in Washington are so-called gossip columnists like Patrick Gavin of Politico, or Nikki Schwab of the Examiner and even Amy Argetsinger of the Washington Post (Amy, sorry I spilled that drink on you at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner - my assistant took care of the dry cleaning, right?).

But TMZ-wannabe sites like RadarOnline are becoming part of the story when they alone are dribbling out clearly edited “audiotapes” of Mr. Gibson free from the scrutiny of any legitimate journalists.  For all we know, Radar has simply edited together Mel’s monologues from his past movies (the similarities to Lethal Weapon 3 are striking) and cut them together with the voice of Anna Chapman, one of the Russian sleeper spies.