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For whatever reason, publicists to the stars (or in this case maybe their manager/fathers) think pregnancy rumors can be a good way to drum up buzz in advance of a big product launch - new album, perfume, clothing line, etc, you get the deal.

The latest example: Ashlee Simpson, who has seen pregnancy rumors fly across the tabloids. Just a coincidence that her latest album is coming out soon?

The cynical PR person in us thinks not. Same with Deborah Netburn at the LA Times, who writes:

Whatever the real story, it's certainly getting her plenty of pre-album-release publicity. The homepages of People.com and Usmagazine.com feature photos of Ashlee "eating barbecue robustly" and "hiding a baby bump."

That's some valuable free publicity, especially if you are a young pop tart whose album is timed for release between two heavyweights like Mariah Carey and Madonna.

Valuable free publicity indeed. But will it make people buy the album? Older sister Jessica's publicized stint and marriage rumors with Dallas Cowboy's quarterback Tony Romo didn't help her movie release, which had an opening day gross of $384.