Influencer Marketing has been around since the good old Mad Men days. Over time, this strategy has evolved from strictly utilizing celebrity endorsements, towards capitalizing on industry thought leaders & authority figures – internet personalities with a large following and strong opinions. This impulse factor, grounded in jones-effect has seen tremendous success in recent years, in part to the rapid adoption of social media world-wide. Social networks have provided new means and opportunities for communication, allowing individuals to foster strong connections with their followers, while easily & quickly sharing their opinions to large audiences across the globe.

Consumers have always looked to their peers for validation and guidance when it comes to purchasing decisions. However, in today’s marketplace, a phone call to a friend has been replaced by a quick online search or a swipe through Instagram. The internet and social media have created a unique opportunity for brands to capitalize on the power word-of-mouth. Influencers are sharing their opinions and providing demonstrations reaching thousands and in many cases, millions of followers daily through Facebook & Instagram posts, tweets, blogs, videos, and more.