SIX MEMBERS APPOINTED TO NEWLY LAUNCHED BUSINESS OF INFLUENCERS BOARD

SIX MEMBERS APPOINTED TO NEWLY LAUNCHED BUSINESS OF INFLUENCERS BOARD

Six leading figures in the Influencer Marketing space have been appointed to the newly launched Business of Influencers Board.

Ian Shepherd (Social Store), Harry Hugo (Goat), Liam Chivers (OP Talent), Ana Thorsdottir (MediaCom), Ben Jeffries (Influencer) and Laura Edwards (Viral Talent) are specialists and experts in the Influencer Marketing space and will help represent the voice of agencies, start-ups and influencers at the highest level within the industry.

The formation of the public member association and Board comes at an important time for the media industry. Despite the rapid growth and scale of this new channel, the industry is still embryonic, with the practice perceived by many as a ‘wild west’ with risks and lack of regulation. The Board will play a crucial role in improving this with consultation on governance, strategic direction and monitoring of the space to ensure a sustainable future for the Influencer Marketing industry.

The Board’s vision is to create a community to support and communicate the collective views of its members. As influencers and agencies become more accountable, the BOI Board will also help both sides achieve business outcomes and its actions will be responsive to industry’s needs.

“It’s important to ensure these major decisions are made by smart people who are knowledgeable about Influencer Marketing and the industry in which it operates. Having already established the BOI community, the board will serve as an advisory committee to agencies, brands, start-ups and influencers. As this exciting industry develops at pace, it will be crucial for us to maintain a collective voice,” said Former Disney Business Development Director and BOI founder Ian Shepherd.

In addition to special events, research and educational courses, the key focus in 2019 will be to establish a clear set of principles and guidelines for best practice Influencer Marketing campaigns which all members commit and adhere to.

Commenting on the appointments, the ASA/CAP comments: “We welcome initiatives designed to bring together industry groups, with the intention of promoting and ensuring responsible advertising for the benefit of consumers and marketers alike.”

YouTube Star and Forbes’ 30 under 30 select Alastair Aiken aka AliA also weighed in on the launch: “Despite having my business for years, it can still be a challenge to work in this area due to the unclear ways of working and regulations. It’s still a relatively new way of marketing, but it’s value and success is only proving stronger. As Creators, it’s important for us to have a body that ensures we are heard but also helps us collaborate with brands and agencies more effectively on their business goals. I’m excited to see the BOI take Influencer Marketing to the next level.”

For more information on upcoming events, or to apply to become a member of the Business of Influencers community, go to www.businessofinfluencers.com