A Philosophy of Communication of Social Media Influencer Marketing

Abstract

Social media influencer marketing emerged in Web 2.0 as a new form of celebrity endorsement in which the Internet-famous create word-of-mouth marketing for brands and organizations on their personal social media pages, blurring the line between organic and sponsored content for their followers. This book explores social media influencer marketing through the lens of philosophy of communication with a praxis-centered approach. Kati E. Sudnick utilizes a multitude of theoretical touchstones—including Christopher Lasch’s narcissistic culture, Marshall McLuhan’s global village, Daniel Boorstin’s human pseudo-event, Jacques Ellul’s propaganda, and the interplay between charismatic leadership and parasocial relationships—in order to consider consequences surrounding Hannah Arendt’s social condition, which appears in hyper-form within social media influencer marketing as a major integrated marketing communication tool. Sudnick applies these concepts to three major case studies surrounding Audible, BetterHelp, and Fyre Festival, drawing implications and conclusions for this integrated marketing communication tactic in an era entrenched within the banality of the social. Ultimately, the author argues for a more aware and conscientious public when it comes to engaging with influencers online. Scholars of communication, philosophy, and media studies will find this book of particular interest.