UPDATE: Sandra Bullock has issued a statement through her publicist saying that:
"Ms. Bullock was originally contacted through her attorney to be a part of the PSA in order to promote awareness of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. At no time was she made aware that any organization, oil company or otherwise had influence over Women of the Storm or its message. We have immediately asked for her participation in the PSA be removed until the facts can be determined. Her commitment to the Gulf region has been apparent for many years and she will continue to pursue opportunities that will bring awareness and support to the plight of the Gulf region."
Other than all being heavyweight celebrities, Sandra Bullock, Lenny Kravitz and Blake Lively - along with many other celebs - have all starred in a Youtube ad created by an oil company (including BP) sponsored organization called the America's Wetlands Foundation that is running a campaign to get the federal government to pay for the restoration of the oil-soaked Gulf coastline.
While the video called "be the one" also features other well-known figures like Peyton Manning, John Goodman and Emeril Lagassi, nowhere will you find the corporate stars whose companies ultimately footed the bill for its production - like Tony Hayward, former CEO of BP or Shell's CEO Peter Voser or ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson.
These are just some of the listed sponsors of the America's Wetland Foundation's campaign calling for American taxpayers to pay for the restoration of the Gulf of Mexico instead of the oil company that trashed the region in the first place.
Now why would the likes of Exxon, Shell and BP fork out money to a group with a green, environmentally responsible sounding name like the American Wetland Foundation to make such an argument?
They know that oil executives in Youtube video are not nearly as good looking as Blake Lively.
And more importantly, they also know that oil executives arguing that the American taxpayers should pay for the mess they made is just plain dumb public relations.
I don't blame Lively, Bullock, Kravtiz and the rest of them for appearing in the video, on the surface this "be the one" campaign looks harmless enough.
But appearing harmless is the whole point of this campaign and now that it has been exposed as an oil company PR campaign I know they will do the right thing and repudiate their involvement.