Eliz Kapitanova’s Post

Should influencers and celebrities be legally accountable for the brands they promote? In an era where trust is currency, Is it time to draw a line between genuine endorsements and misleading advertising? In many parts of the world, endorsing a product or service without understanding its credibility is not only unethical but can also lead to legal consequences. Yet, we’ve seen countless cases where influencers advertise products that later prove to be harmful, ineffective, or outright fraudulent, leaving consumers feeling betrayed and often financially harmed. While consumers bear some responsibility for their choices, the truth is that influencer endorsements carry weight. When someone you admire or trust backs a product, it’s natural to assume they’ve done their homework. Shouldn’t influencers, then, confirm the authenticity of the brands they endorse before cashing in? Do you agree? Should there be stricter laws holding influencers accountable for false endorsements? Let us hear your thoughts in the comments! #publicity #publicrelations #storytelling #strategiccommunications

Celebrities and influencers like Addison Rae, Hailey Bieber, Justin Timberlake, and even Oprah have, on various occasions, disabled access to their social media comments in response to negative sentiment. Is this misguided? A new Journal of Marketing study finds that influencers are less persuasive and likable when they disable social media comments. This occurs because influencers are perceived as less receptive to consumer feedback and therefore less sincere, which in turn leads to professional and interpersonal consequences. In fact, the study finds that turning off comments is more reputationally costly than leaving them on, even when the displayed comments are mostly negative. The study posits that influencers who leave their comments on appear to show that they are at least interested in hearing from the public and learning from their actions, while those who turn them off signal their dismissiveness of other people’s opinions. When an influencer is perceived as trying to take reasonable measures to protect themselves during times of emotional turmoil and distress, they are not penalized to the same degree for disabling comments. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gEDnRiDU Study authors: Michelle Daniels and Freeman Wu #influencermarketing #socialmediacomments #marketingresearch

🚨 BRANDS! How are you REALLY vetting your influencers? Yung Filly’s recent arrest for alleged sexual assault has sparked an important question for brands: Are you putting enough time and energy into ensuring your influencers align with your values – or are you just chasing their follower count? Why does this matter? Because too many brands are choosing the same influencers from a shallow talent pool. It’s not just lazy - it’s a ticking time bomb. When things go sideways, like they have now, we see household names like ASOS.com, Marks and Spencer Kraft Heinz, GDK (German Doner Kebab), and The Football Association, amongst others, scrambling to delete posts and distance themselves from the fallout. It’s an ongoing legal case, so public statements are tricky, but consumers are already forming their own conclusions. And when they do, it’s your brand reputation on the line. The creator economy is still relatively new and, let’s face it, a bit of a minefield. Its raw authenticity is both its appeal and its risk. Brands need to stop treating influencer partnerships like a popularity contest and start evaluating the real risks. If you’re sourcing influencers, here are three non-negotiables: ⭐️ 1. Do your due diligence on their past, their values, and their behaviour. ⭐️ 2. Seriously – do your due diligence. There’s no shortcut here. ⭐️ 3. Have a solid crisis management strategy ready to go. It’s not a matter of if, but when you’ll need it. Yung Filly’s arrest is a crucial wake-up call for the creator economy. Brands have to adapt and implement smarter, more strategic approaches to influencer partnerships – before the next crisis hits. Thoughts? #InfluencerMarketing #BrandStrategy #CrisisManagement #CreatorEconomy #BrandReputation #RiskManagement #SocialMediaMarketing #InfluencerPartnerships #BrandSafety

LinkedIn Legal Influencers! Jen Shipley from Irwin Mitchell has taken LinkedIn by storm and her posts are valued at a whopping £300k a year! This comes from new research on legal influencers' social media engagement, conducted by Simon Marshall of TBD Marketing. Jen Shipley, a specialist in medical negligence, truly knows how to engage with her audience. Her valuable insights and updates have earned her the top spot as a "SuperInfluencer". To put this into perspective, the collective engagement of the top 10 influencers from the UK's leading law firms is valued at £1.21 million, significantly outshining the firms' official pages. Why does this matter? It's a clear indicator that personal engagement and authentic content can drive immense value. 👍 Do you follow any legal influencers? Let's chat in the comments! 👇 https://vgcharles.com/ #LegalMarketing #InfluencerMarketing #LinkedInInfluence

Supreme Courts message for Influencers-  Take Responsibility!! Influencers are on the rise. This is not a new concept. Even previously people were highly impacted by the bollywood celebrities.  But now, both the number of brands and also the range of influencers have increased multifolds.  We all have seen celebrities endorsing any product, just for money, be it Pan Masala, fairness cream, online gaming etc. So how do people trust, what to trust when these people influence us to use the said product? With the recent cases, the Supreme Court has delivered a powerful message – endorse responsibly or face consequences. Key Takeaways: ✔️ Endorsers and advertisers equally liable for misleading ads. ✔️ Mandatory self-declarations before airing ads. ✔️ Focus on food and health sectors to protect consumers. ✔️ Patanjali ordered to remove misleading ads and stop selling suspended products. In my opinion, responsible endorsements are crucial for fostering consumer trust and safeguarding public interests.  It is very important that influencers and brands prioritize transparency and ethical practices over short-term gains, thereby contributing to a more sustainable and trustworthy advertising ecosystem. Do you think the Supreme Court's new rules will bring good changes to how celebrity endorsements and advertisements are done? #supremecourt #influencers #endorsewithhonor #honestads

Considering recent events where celebrities and influencers have endorsed products without due consideration or understanding of their effects, it is high time to emphasize the responsibility that comes with communication. When your words reach a wide audience, whether through endorsement deals or personal opinions, you bear a significant responsibility for the perceptions and beliefs they may shape. Therefore, it is essential to take ownership of the consequences of your words and actions. As public figures with substantial influence, celebrities and influencers have the power to sway public opinion and behavior. With this power comes the obligation to ensure that any endorsements or statements made are informed, ethical, and aligned with the well-being of their audience. By exercising due diligence and accountability in communication, celebrities and influencers can contribute positively to society and uphold trust and integrity with their followers. It is crucial to recognize that words have impact, and with that impact comes the responsibility to use one's platform responsibly and ethically. The Economic Times #ConsociaAdvisory #EconomicTimes #InfluencerResponsibility #EthicalEndorsements #SocialInfluence #PublicTrust #CommunicationResponsibility #InformedEndorsements #PlatformIntegrity

Reading the paper got me thinking… 🗞️💭 I’m careful not to spread misinformation on my personal Linkedin profile, because I don’t want to damage the ShowHeroes brand that I represent – But advertisers need to care about misinformation as much as LinkedIn influencers do! A recent study from Zefr and MAGNA Global found that 47% of users find a brand’s integrity is compromised by being adjacent to misinformation. It’s shaping up to be an election-heavy summer, so misinformation will be rife. Choosing your platforms and publishers is going to be important. At ShowHeroes we hand-pick our publishers – diverse, local voices who adhere to brand safety principles. Not every advertising platform can say the same. That’s a stone-cold fact, but you’ll have to verify it yourself. 😉 #digitaladvertising #misinformation #brandsafety #BetterMedia #ShowHeroesGroup

💬 In a jam on social? Don't disable your comments! A Journal of Marketing study finds that turning off comments is more reputationally costly than leaving them on, even when the displayed comments are mostly negative. The study finds that influencers are less persuasive and likable when they disable social media comments because influencers are perceived as less receptive to consumer feedback and therefore less sincere, which in turn leads to professional and interpersonal consequences. The research posits that influencers who leave their comments on appear to show they are at least interested in hearing from the public and learning from their actions, while those who turn them off signal their dismissiveness of other people’s opinions. When an influencer is perceived as trying to take reasonable measures to protect themselves during times of emotional turmoil and distress, they are not penalized to the same degree for disabling comments. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gEDnRiDU Study authors: Michelle Daniels and Freeman Wu #influencermarketing #socialmediacomments #marketingresearch Culverhouse College of Business Vanderbilt University - Owen Graduate School of Management

The Risk of Trusting Social Media Influencers and Political Emancipators In today’s hyper-connected world, the voices of social media influencers and self-proclaimed political emancipators are louder than ever. These figures often wield significant power, shaping opinions, trends, and even public policies with their vast followings. While this influence can provide valuable perspectives, there is a growing risk in placing blind trust in their narratives. The problem lies in the lack of accountability and expertise. Unlike professionals, influencers and political commentators often lack formal training in the areas they speak on. Many spread misinformation, sometimes unknowingly, or present opinions as facts, leading to skewed perceptions. Followers may embrace these narratives without questioning their validity, which can lead to misguided actions or beliefs. Furthermore, influencers and political figures online often prioritise popularity over truth. Algorithms reward engagement, not accuracy, meaning sensationalist or polarising content is often amplified, while more measured, factual discourse struggles to gain visibility. The result? Echo chambers where critical thinking takes a backseat to emotional responses. For businesses and individuals, this trend highlights the importance of discerning the information we consume. Before adopting the views of an influencer or political figure, ask critical questions: Is this person qualified? What are their motivations? Are they offering a balanced perspective? In a world where anyone with a following can shape public opinion, due diligence is more critical than ever. #influencers #onlinepolitician #riskagent #trust

Interesting take on a new legal frontier for influencers: Can your personal style be protected as intellectual property? This case in Texas could change the game for how influencers safeguard their brand. Check out this detailed breakdown by Sharon in her article!