We are a celebrity-obsessed culture. This I know from my extensive research on the matter, reading “People,” “US,” and “Star” on a regular basis, then confirming that research via TV shows like “Access Hollywood” and “Entertainment Tonight,” and crosschecking it via websites like TMZ.com and perezhilton.com. Again, purely for research.

Of course, as the consumer goes, so go advertisers—which helps explain why ads featuring celebrities have doubled in the last ten years. One in four ads now features a celeb, compared to one in eight in 1995, according to research conducted by WPP.

Given the public’s voracious appetite for all things famous, that number is likely only to increase. But is it worth the inherent risks involved? As the number of sources covering stars increases, so does the chance that a star will be caught doing something unsavory and potentially damaging to associated brands.

In this issue, Senior Writer Robert Cherry makes a case for celebrity endorsement, arguing… well, you can read it for yourself. You’ll also find the latest news and quotes on the subject, plus our newest column, “On The Couch.” In this issue we learn more about Project Director Gretchen Mahan as she reveals her guilty pleasures and more. We've also added a new feature to the newsletter—links to related videos and websites. Simply click to watch or read more.

Enjoy,