In an era of social media, influencers wield unprecedented power over global consumer decisions. As digital natives increasingly turn to influencers for guidance, the need for comprehensive research on their impact becomes paramount. Brands, aiming to connect with a precisely targeted audience, must grapple with ethical considerations in this rapidly evolving sphere. Global Perspectives on Social Media Influencers and Strategic Business Communication delves into influencer research and practices, exploring their impact on various industries and sectors. This book dissects the motives and characteristics of social media influencers and navigates the terrain of ethical considerations surrounding their collaboration with businesses and organizations. This book covers influencers' effect on brand loyalty, cultural norms, community building, and their role in business management, advertising, and strategic communication. The book dissects the impacts of social media influencers on audience behavior, exploring areas such as brand attitudes, purchase intentions, and the dynamics of parasocial relationships. It examines the nuances of engagement, differentiating between paid endorsements, sponsored content, and pure electronic word-of-mouth while also spotlighting the influence of live streaming on consumer behaviors. This book is a valuable resource for businesses, strategic communicators, marketers, scholars, and anyone seeking a profound understanding of the dynamic world of social media influencers.

This book seeks to draw a comprehensive picture of influencer collaborations from a strategic communication perspective. The contributors tackle strategic influencer communication from multidisciplinary perspectives, from varying actor foci, and from different methodological frameworks and methods. Influencers cross traditional boundaries in many ways and oscillate between intimacy and publicity, authenticity and commercialization, ingratiation and critical distance. From a strategic communication perspective, this variability makes influencers hard to capture: organizations can cooperate with influencers to achieve both marketing and PR objectives. Influencers can act as cooperation partners, integrating commercial content into organic narratives, or as independent critics. Influencers also combine different roles that have traditionally been occupied by separate actors such as intermediary, content distributor, creative content producer, community manager, testimonial, strategic counsellor, and event host. The combination of these roles in just one actor opens new opportunities for strategic communication and can produce appreciated synergy effects. It is therefore hardly surprising that influencer collaborations have become a firmly established instrument in the toolbox of strategic communicators. The chapters in this book were originally published in the International Journal of Advertising and the International Journal of Strategic Communication.

Virtual communities are a new frontier in the digital landscape. While these spaces are only in their infancy, it will not be long before they become a part of much of the population’s daily life. Before that becomes the case, it is important that we instill guidelines and parameters to ensure that those interacting with these digital spaces feel safe within them and are able to use them to their fullest capacity. Building Power, Safety, and Trust in Virtual Communities examines how online groups help people learn and change the way they think. In this book, different people with different academic backgrounds, methods, and personal experience with virtual groups look at this question. Case studies are included to help exemplify these findings. Together, these chapters discuss how virtual communities are built in ways that thinkers, researchers, and practitioners can understand.

In today's fast-paced global marketplace, businesses grapple with the relentless demand for innovation in marketing strategies. The landscape is ever-evolving, driven by digital advancements and shifting consumer behaviors, leaving companies scrambling to stay relevant. Academic scholars, educators, and managers face a formidable challenge: deciphering the complex web of trends and technologies shaping modern marketing while equipping themselves with actionable strategies to thrive in this dynamic environment. By delving into topics ranging from digital marketing and sustainability initiatives to data analytics and emerging technologies, Marketing Innovation Strategies and Consumer Behavior equips readers with the tools they need to survive and thrive in the modern marketplace. Its emphasis on real-world case studies ensures practical relevance, while its theoretical underpinnings offer a solid foundation for academic inquiry. This book is an indispensable resource for scholars seeking to deepen their understanding of marketing innovation, providing actionable insights and strategic frameworks to navigate the complexities of the digital age with confidence and agility.

In today's fast-paced digital world, marketers face an ever-growing challenge: effectively navigating the vast and complex data landscape while ensuring ethical practices. The explosion of digital information has created new opportunities for targeted marketing. Still, it has also raised concerns about privacy, security, and the responsible use of data. Marketers risk damaging consumer trust and facing regulatory scrutiny without a comprehensive understanding of data governance and ethical frameworks. Ethical AI and Data Management Strategies in Marketing provides a timely and comprehensive solution. This insightful guide offers practical strategies for implementing robust data governance plans that focus on eradicating isolated data repositories and adhering to ethical guidelines. These theoretical and actionable strategies give marketers the confidence to implement them effectively. By leveraging the power of artificial intelligence in marketing, marketers can enhance their understanding of the target audience and optimize content creation while maintaining ethical standards. The book delves into essential topics such as data privacy, ethical marketing, and technology ethics, providing valuable insights and practical solutions for managing data ethically in modern marketing.

Research Perspectives on Social Media Influencers and Brand Communication examines the myriad ways in which social media and the unique characteristics of the internet have changed brand communication for both brands and consumers, focusing on the social media influencer as a brand communicator. As brands have noticed the rise of social media influencers as tastemakers and leaders in public opinion, they have increasingly begun to incorporate social media influencers into their brand communication strategies. Each chapter of this book represents a unique theoretical and methodological approach to examining the emergence and growing legitimacy of the social media influencer as a brand communicator from a variety of perspectives and contexts, discussing challenges and opportunities afforded to brands by social media influencers and providing an overview of the current research on the use of these branding approaches. Scholars of media studies, communication, and marketing will find this book particularly useful.

In the world of contemporary marketing, a challenge exists — the relationship between data engineering, artificial intelligence, and the essential elements of effective marketing. Businesses find themselves at a crossroads, grappling with the imperative to navigate this complex landscape. This challenge serves as the backdrop for the exploration in AI and Data Engineering Solutions for Effective Marketing, a comprehensive reference tailored for academic scholars. Seamlessly integrating theoretical models with real-world applications, the book delves into critical facets of strategic and operational marketing. From the adoption of data science techniques to grappling with big data's vast potential, it offers a guide for academics seeking profound insights into the future of marketing strategies and their efficient execution. Designed for researchers, practitioners, and students with an interest in the intersection of artificial intelligence, data engineering, and marketing, this book serves as a guide for implementing new marketing management solutions and optimizing their operational efficiency. While the primary audience is researchers and practitioners in the field, the book is also tailored to benefit students seeking a deep understanding of the latest developments in marketing.

Traditional marketing approaches must be more effective in a digital world where consumers seek more immersive and personalized experiences. Businesses need to help to engage with their target audience and to understand their evolving needs and preferences. This disconnect hinders their ability to create impactful marketing strategies that resonate with consumers and drive meaningful interactions. Consumer Experience and Decision-Making in the Metaverse offers a solution by exploring how the metaverse transforms consumer behavior and marketing practices. The book provides insights into immersive consumer experiences, virtual brand presence, data-driven personalization, and more through a collection of research. It equips readers with the knowledge and strategies to adapt to this new digital landscape and engage with consumers in innovative ways.

Consumers are applying more pressure on companies to embrace sustainable practices and tell purposeful stories to win their approval. They are increasingly critical of brands for their environmental and social impact, demanding authenticity and accountability. However, many businesses need help navigating this complex terrain, unsure of how to effectively integrate sustainability into their branding strategies. The lack of comprehensive resources that bridge the gap between theory and practice in sustainable branding is a significant challenge that needs immediate attention. Compelling Storytelling Narratives for Sustainable Branding solves this pressing problem through a collection of insightful chapters contributed by esteemed academics, researchers, and practitioners. This book offers a roadmap for businesses seeking to align their brand narratives with sustainability principles. By delving into the psychology of storytelling, analyzing successful case studies, and providing practical guidance, this compendium equips readers with the tools and strategies to integrate sustainability into their branding efforts authentically.

To succeed, businesses must keep up with the ever-changing technological landscape and constantly introduce new advancements. The rise of digitalization has wholly transformed how companies interact with their customers, presenting both opportunities and challenges. Marketing professionals are inundated with data and need guidance on leveraging it effectively to craft successful marketing strategies. Additionally, the ethical and privacy concerns surrounding the collection and use of customer data make the marketing landscape even more complex. Improving Service Quality and Customer Engagement With Marketing Intelligence is a groundbreaking book that offers a comprehensive solution to these challenges. This book is a must-read for marketing professionals, business owners, and students, providing a practical guide to navigating the digital age. It explores the impact of digitalization on marketing practices. It offers insights into customer behavior, equipping readers with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in today's competitive market. The book's interdisciplinary approach integrates insights from marketing, technology, data science, and ethics, giving readers a holistic understanding of marketing intelligence.