http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/terence-blacker/terence-blacker-why-do-they-all-fawn-over-saint-max-1638457.html
Publicist Max Clifford makes Rolls-Royce the marque of death
Max Clifford, the publicist for the murder suspect Shrien Dewani, ensures that Rolls-Royce benefits from his television appearances.
Publicist Max Clifford poses in front of his Bentley. He now has a deal with Rolls-Royce.
Photo: Francesco Guidicini/Rex
As the voice of Shrien Dewani — who is accused of arranging the murder of his new bride in South Africa — Max Clifford has to appear dignified in his public pronouncements.
Still, given the synergies that the PR man likes to achieve for his diverse clients, television crews filming at his home would be well-advised to interview him with his Rolls-Royce in shot.
“I don’t always get filmed with the car, but, as I’m often interviewed at home, it works out that way,” says Clifford, when I inquire about a car I feel I have come to know well.
“I used to work with Bentley, but then I was approached by Rolls-Royce, who made me an offer I couldn’t refuse. They give me a new Ghost every year in return for some publicity.”
When Clifford was representing Jade Goody, it was remarkable how many stories about her mentioned the restaurant Sketch, another of his clients. One paper even reported how Bentley was the “favourite car” of the dying reality television star.
Clifford says he did not have to dip into his pay-off from News International – after his telephone voice messages were, allegedly, intercepted - to pay for the car.
He is not, by the way, necessarily loyal to any one marque. In 1996, he said: “These days I can afford any car, but the Jaguar is still my favourite.”
He is not, by the way, necessarily loyal to any one marque. In 1996, he said: “These days I can afford any car, but the Jaguar is still my favourite.”
