Victoria and David Beckham in PR 'overdrive' to save tainted reputation after furloughing staff
The Beckham family is doing all they can to save their reputations after the backlash they received over the news of Victoria Beckham furloughing her staff.
According to latest reports, the 45-year-old David and 46-year-old Victoria have swung into action to try and revive their failing reputations with a massive damage control PR campaign. The pair have been heavily criticized after reports emerged of Victoria's plans to use taxpayers' money to furlough 30 of her staff.
Victoria Beckham had planned to furlough dozens of staff at her fashion empire instead of spending some of her £335 million ($419M) personal wealth to compensate them, the Daily Mirror reported. The severe backlash eventually saw her reversing her decision to furlough some of her staff members amid the pandemic.
The couple is now trying to patch up their tainted image on their social media accounts to highlight charity causes and spread good vibes online.
"David and Victoria's team have gone into overdrive to try to win over the public again. They are using their social media channels to reaffirm all the charities they help and remind people how much good work they do," a source shared with The Sun.
The couple also shared that they were sending care packages to vulnerable people in the UK amid the current coronavirus lockdown.
The source added that the public may not be buying into their good deeds and added, "They've been advised to keep reminding the public of all the great work they do to try to take the heat off them."
"But it's all a bit obvious. The public aren't daft, they’ll likely see straight through it," the source revealed. Early signs don't seem promising with social media users calling out the Beckhams for their "positive" messages online.
It was just last week that David Beckham had posted a video clapping for NHS workers on Instagram. He had written the message, "To all the healthcare and key workers who keep working like true heroes, an infinite applause."
The efforts were not well received by viewers and received mixed responses. Some people pointed out how his family was looking to use taxpayer money to help their business despite having a personal wealth of $444 million (£335million).
One user commented, "Yeah maybe you can pull your wallet out. Until then stop clapping you're being a hypocrite."
Another added, "Always been a fan of yours but not anymore, how do you have the nerve to post this. Government funding is to help small independent businesses from going bust during this difficult time, not to help extremely privileged multi-millionaires like yourself from spending a penny of your own fortune. Shame on you."
Victoria Beckham was compared to singer Ed Sheeran who announced that he will not furlough any of his bar staff. He maintained that there will be no attempts to get the government to help him pay the 10 staff who work at his restaurant and bar in Notting Hill, West London.
The bar Bertie Blossoms had to close its doors in compliance with social distancing rules amid the coronavirus pandemic. As a result, like millions of others, Sheeran's staff were left without any work. However, He made it clear he had no plans to furlough any of his staff.
His decision was met by a lot of praise from fans and followers. One such fan shared, "That's because he's humble as f**k." Another added, "That’s the difference between having class and not. @edsheeran has it and no matter how much money @victoriabeckham has, she never will."