After controversy sparked a chain reaction of Paula Deen being dropped from the Food Network and numerous other sponsors, the chef has hired crisis manager Judy Smith to help get her career back, as the Huffington Post announced.
Interestingly enough, Judy Smith is the inspiration for the Olivia Pope character on ABC’s hit drama series Scandal. She has had experience advising athletes Kobe Bryant and Michael Vick when they became involved with legal issues, according to the Huffington Post.
Though Smith is confident with her strategies, other crisis managers are not really behind her. Dan Hill, a crisis manager for Ervin/Hill Strategy, said in an interview with the Washington Post, “No one is going to buy what she says now, even if it’s a perfectly crafted message… Everyone thinks you should respond immediately, but with something like this, usually time serves them well.”
The Huffington Post has confirmed Deen hired Smith and Company through an associate of hers. This associate, however, has not provided any other details regarding the situation.