This is actually the type of thing (annoys me as well btw) that is pandering to everyday people and gets good publicity for the company which helps in creating

This is actually the type of thing (annoys me as well btw) that is pandering to everyday people and gets good publicity for the company which helps in creating star appeal which does in many ways further the companies agenda. (Which will increase the value of the stock and also helps with hiring as well..) For example even when dealing with Washington, star appeal goes a long way to getting people to take you seriously and to listen to you. As a similar example, take Steve Job's fame and how he was able to use it in order to close deals that an unknown CEO from an equally large company would never be able to do.