Potential Brand Advocates

Posted at April 22, 2009 // Public relations, Strategy / Tactics, Web

It’s no secret that I’m a reality show junkie… This guilty pleasure of mine includes watching the Real Housewife of New York City.

Tonight’s episode was filled with various charity events, and I thought it was brilliant that these non-profits are getting some free publicity. But one example I wanted to point out specifically: Children of the World.

One of the characters previously (off the show) bid on a couture dress for the charity. The show showed the fitting of this couture dress. Off the show, the character wore the dress to an opera opening and was photographed doing so. That photograph had since been used in the tabloids for stories associated with that particular character.

Now, I am not sure that the non-profit did so on purpose. After all, they may not had any direct control over what the character would bid on. However, it shows that sometimes making such a connection could be so helpful to a brand. If you could identify a potential brand advocate, you should do what you could to persuade him/her to actually become one. One thing may lead to another, and that could very well take your brand to a new level.

The interesting thing is that potential brand advocates are everywhere, and yet marketers ignore them everyday. How well do you know your end consumer? Who are they? Any of them an influencer, such as an on-screen personality? Do you even know? Have you thought about how to growth this influence base and how to leverage this influence base? This could be the best marketing spend ever!

Photo Credit: Gawker.com

Tags : Public relations, Web