Influencer marketing is a global force with huge potential for both positive and negative social impact. Influencers, brands, and social media companies that mislead the public could ruin an industry reliant on credibility.Marketers must build teams of trustworthy professionals. They must commission work that prioritizes quality and integrity over virality. And the industry as a whole should develop trade organizations and unions to protect influencers, marketers, and the public.
and a research affiliate in the Center on Digital Culture and Society at the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg School for Communication.Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Marketing Essentials. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.