Website Guilts Celebrities Into Participating On Twitter

It isn't as bad as it sounds. There's a website, called Charity Bribes, that raises money for various charities in a pretty unique way - by collecting money to bribe celebrities to do stuff. Huh? The site calls on folks to put up some cash to try to convince their favorite celebrities to join the rest of us online (or to do something whacky). Celebrities don't need this money, of course, so the bribe isn't really for them - and isn't the true motivating factor here either. You see, once the celebrity joins (or does whatever he or she is being "bribed" to do), all funds raised to convince the celebrity to participate are given to a specific charity attached to the bribe. Hmm. I guess it is as bad as it sounds. The site, created by ad copywriters Chris Baker and William Spencer and launched three weeks ago and has tasked itself with "bribing celebrities to do a little awesome for a lot of good." The current bribe, to get comedian Larry David to join Twitter, has raised more than $7,000 and will benefit the National Resources Defense Council if he accepts the bribe. But how does this whole thing work, specifically? It's a simple process, really: Join the bribe by pledging money. If the bribe actually works, funds go to charity. If not, no one is charged. Celebrities have 30 days to accept and complete the bribe as they are entirely unaware (unless they read about it) of the bribe until it's presented to them. The site also ask folks to submit ideas for future bribes (the ideas are participant-generated) and to vote on which bribe will happen next. Right now, there are quite a few "bribes" in queue for you to vote on. The most popular bribe that appears to be coming up next involves Conan O'Brien. The bribe, benefiting Autism Speaks, would require him "to wear an eye patch (and turtle neck, also holding a pipe) while interviewing a guest on his show. If asked about it, he should say “I don’t want to talk about it.” Other featured bribes include: The next bribe will be selected in two days, so if you want to get in on this, check out the site, vote for a winner and make a pledge! Note that the website's FAQs tell us that a portion of the funds are kept to cover administrative costs: "Charity Bribes charges 5% in order to cover our expenses and to add new features and functionality. Like issuing receipts and making your donations tax deductible." So, what do you think? Would you pay to bribe a celebrity to participate online if it was for a good cause? Is it fair to guilt them into participating - or does that not really matter so much? (Bribe photo from Shutterstock)

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Website Guilts Celebrities Into Participating On Twitter

Mary C. Long

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Mary C. Long