The question of whether companies survive their spokemodels is perhaps moot in this situation, but the dilemma TrimSpa finds itself in today is unique in recent times, to say the least:

In the lobby of TrimSpa's headquarters, framed clippings of tabloid newspapers trumpet Anna Nicole Smith's weight loss. Smith is also shown smiling in banner ads featuring photographs before and after her extreme weight loss.

A red van bearing Smith's likeness was parked Friday outside the weight-loss supplement company's office.

With Smith's death Thursday, the company, recently the subject of class lawsuits and a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, has lost its high-profile spokeswoman.

Smith, who lost a significant amount of weight in recent years, made several commercials and appeared on television promoting TrimSpa's weight-loss products. How the privately held company operates without its star spokeswoman, often a tabloid staple, is unclear.

The company had no immediate comment on the death of its celebrity spokeswoman, who was found in a Florida hotel room.

Smith's death poses a problem for TrimSpa, said University of Maryland professor Roland T. Rust, chairman of the marketing department.

"They probably need a complete change of pace, moving away from the celebrity focus, especially the celebrity focus on her," Rust said.(read more)