Unrequited Brand Love

Today's WSJ has a great article on the complications that arise when a "rogue brand advocate" publicly supports a brand that doesn't want their support. In this case, Playboy playmate and Hefner gal pal, Kendra Wilkinson, just can't get enough Olive Garden. (The article is worth reading just for Wilkinson's over-the-top praise for the chain...). It does highlight one of the key realities that today's brand managers need to face: they can no longer control every aspect of their brand.