influencer

The growth of influencer marketing is undeniable, and the industry is no longer limited to humans; from cats, dogs, and even rabbits, it seems like anyone can become an influencer in this multi-billion dollar industry. Even more surprising, however, is the rise of an entirely new kind of influencer: computer-generated, or “virtual,” influencers.

Take Miquela Sousa (@lilmiquela) for example. By all accounts, the 19-year-old Brazilian American model and singer looks like a standard Instagram influencer. Every month, about 260,000 people play her music on Spotify. On Instagram, Sousa has over 1.6 million followers, and has shared sponsored posts with a number of major brands, including Calvin Klein. Indeed, there is one significant factor in which Sousa is different from Bella Hadid, the model she poses with in her recent Calvin Klein post: the young Brazilian isn’t a real person. She is a computer-generated character, crafted by Los Angeles firm Brud in 2016.

She might not like being described this way, but Sousa is hardly one-of-a-kind. From Chinese television news presenters to a tongue-in-cheek Colonel Sanders, virtual influencers are on the rise. Moreover, thanks to the value they offer potential partners, virtual influencers don’t seem to be going away any time soon. There are some obvious benefits to companies that choose to create or hire a virtual influencer. In the case of China’s Xinhua News, the creation of a virtual news anchor means the outlet will have access to a staffer able to cover breaking news at all hours of the night, seven days a week. At the same time, Xinhua now has access to a news anchor who won’t be taking any sick days, or requesting pesky holiday leave at inopportune times.

Additionally, a virtual influencer is much less of a public relations liability than a human influencer is. Celebrities and other human influencers are all prone to making mistakes that could reflect badly on a partner brand. With a virtual influencer, companies have close to zero risk of being associated with negative press in a later scandal.

Finally, a virtual influencer is still a fairly novel concept, and will draw immediate attention to partner companies. For brands trying to reach a younger audience, or prove their innovativeness, a virtual influencer can offer huge appeal compared to human influencers.

On the other hand, there is still significant power in genuinely engaging with audiences via authentic influencers. Virtual influencers like Miquela Sousa can talk the talk, but this can still backfire if audiences don’t trust the authenticity of her words.

Truly, influencer marketing is still at its most successful when it is seen as real and genuine. Brands that seek out real people to promote their products and services to real people might be taking on a little extra risk, but it is exactly this risk which draws in audiences to trust and connect with influencers in the first place.

The technology behind virtual influencers will no doubt continue to evolve beyond recognition, but the truth behind successful online marketing remains: brands that connect with their audiences will always find a more sustainable path for growth.

Ronn Torossian is the CEO and Founder of 5W Public Relations. 5W PR is a leading digital pr and influencer marketing agency.

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Ronn Torossian is the Founder & Chairman of 5W Public Relations, one of the largest independently owned PR firms in the United States. Since founding 5WPR in 2003, he has led the company's growth and vision, with the agency earning accolades including being named a Top 50 Global PR Agency by PRovoke Media, a top three NYC PR agency by O'Dwyers, one of Inc. Magazine's Best Workplaces and being awarded multiple American Business Awards, including a Stevie Award for PR Agency of the Year. With over 25 years of experience crafting and executing powerful narratives, Torossian is one of America's most prolific and well-respected public relations executives. Throughout his career he has advised leading and high-growth businesses, organizations, leaders and boards across corporate, technology and consumer industries. Torossian is known as one of the country's foremost experts on crisis communications. He has lectured on crisis PR at Harvard Business School, appears regularly in the media and has authored two editions of his book, "For Immediate Release: Shape Minds, Build Brands, and Deliver Results With Game-Changing Public Relations," which is an industry best-seller. Torossian's strategic, resourceful approach has been recognized with numerous awards including being named the Stevie American Business Awards Entrepreneur of the Year, the American Business Awards PR Executive of the Year, twice over, an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year semi-finalist, a Top Crisis Communications Professional by Business Insider, Metropolitan Magazine's Most Influential New Yorker, and a recipient of Crain's New York Most Notable in Marketing & PR. Outside of 5W, Torossian serves as a business advisor to and investor in multiple early stage businesses across the media, B2B and B2C landscape. Torossian is the proud father of two daughters. He is an active member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and a board member of multiple not for profit organizations.