Celebrity and Influencer in a Fan Economy

Celebrity endorsement (CE) constitutes a popular marketing strategy. A large body of research and practices recognize the salience of celebrity traits such as credibility and attractiveness in enhancing endorsement effectiveness. According to these approaches, celebrity fans are at the receiving end of the marketing strategy, and they function primarily as brand purchasers. Their varied roles in enhancing CE are less understood. Aided by the proliferation of social media, fans are connected nationally and globally to form not only a formidable force but also a talent pool. Together, they play an increasingly important role in the CE process. This chapter investigated the changing role of celebrity fans and their contributions. Both traditional celebrities and social media influencers were examined. In both cases, the fans are active shapers of the endorsement process. This is a recent development, where the celebrity, their fans, and the endorsed brand are forming a co-creation platform. The implications are discussed.