149
Views
0
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Research Article

Making it real on social media: exploring authenticity strategies for sport and fitness influencers

ORCID Icon, ORCID Icon, ORCID Icon & ORCID Icon
Received 19 Apr 2023, Accepted 05 Apr 2024, Published online: 10 Jun 2024

References

  • Audrezet, A., De Kerviler, G., & Guidry Moulard, J. (2020). Authenticity under threat: When social media influencers need to go beyond self-presentation. Journal of Business Research, 117, 557–569. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2018.07.008
  • Balaban, D. C., & Szambolics, J. (2022). A proposed model of self-perceived authenticity of social media influencers. Media and Communication, 10(1), 235–246. https://doi.org/10.17645/mac.v10i1.4765
  • Belanche, D., Casaló, L. V., Flavián, M., & Ibáñez-Sánchez, S. (2021). Understanding influencer marketing: The role of congruence between influencers, products and consumers. Journal of Business Research, 132, 186–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2021.03.067
  • Beverland, M. (2006). The ‘real thing’: Branding authenticity in the luxury wine trade. Journal of Business Research, 59(2), 251–258. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2005.04.007
  • Billings, A. C., & Hardin, M. (2016). Routledge Handbook of Sport and New Media. Oxon.
  • Birnbaum, M. H., & Stegner, S. E. (1979). Source credibility in social judgment: Bias, expertise, and the judge’s point of view. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 37(1), 48. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.37.1.48
  • Borges-Tiago, M. T., Santiago, J., & Tiago, F. (2023). Mega or macro social media influencers: Who endorses brands better? Journal of Business Research, 157, 113606. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2022.113606
  • Chidiac, D., & Bowden, J. (2022). When media matters: The role of media richness and naturalness on purchase intentions within influencer marketing. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 31(6), 1178–1198. https://doi.org/10.1080/0965254X.2022.2062037
  • Claeys, P., Charry, K., & Tessitore, T. (2023). To be real or not to be real? The effect of genuine (vs. nongenuine) depictions of social media influencers on followers’ well‐being and brand purchase intention. Psychology & Marketing, 41(1), 203–222. https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.21920
  • Dahana, W. D., Miwa, Y., Baumann, C., & Morisada, M. (2022). Relative importance of motivation, store patronage, and marketing efforts in driving cross-buying behaviors. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 30(5), 481–509. https://doi.org/10.1080/0965254X.2020.1811997
  • Dass, M., Kohli, C., & Acharya, M. (2023). An investigation into slogan design on creating slogan–brand alignment: Message clarity and creativity enhance while jingles and rhymes weaken alignment. Journal of Advertising Research, 63(1), 43–60. https://doi.org/10.2501/JAR-2023-004
  • Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (2000). The“what” and“why” of goal pursuits: Human needs and the self-determination of behavior. Psychological Inquiry, 11(4), 227–268. https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327965PLI1104_01
  • Erdem, T., & Swait, J. (2004). Brand credibility, brand consideration and choice. Journal of Consumer Research, 31(1), 191–198. https://doi.org/10.1086/383434
  • Gaied, A. M., & Rached, K. S. B. (2017). The congruence effect between celebrity and the endorsed product in advertising. Journal of Marketing Management, 5(1), 27–44.
  • Galante, F., Vassio, L., Garetto, M., & Leonardi, E. (2023). Modeling communication asymmetry and content personalization in online social networks. Online Social Networks and Media, 37, 100269. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.osnem.2023.100269
  • Goodyear, V. A., Boardley, I., Chiou, S. Y., Fenton, S. A., Makopoulou, K., Stathi, A., Wallis, G. A, Veldhuijzen van Zanten, J. J. C. S., & Thompson, J. L. (2021). Social media use informing behaviours related to physical activity, diet and quality of life during COVID-19: A mixed methods study. BMC Public Health, 21(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11398-0
  • Gupta, S., Mahajan, R., & Dash, S. B. (2023). The impact of influencer-sourced brand endorsement on online consumer brand engagement. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/0965254X.2023.2200389
  • Haenlein, M., Anadol, E., Farnsworth, T., Hugo, H., Hunichen, J., & Welte, D. (2020). Navigating the new era of influencer marketing: How to be successful on Instagram, TikTok, & Co. California Management Review, 63(1), 5–25. https://doi.org/10.1177/0008125620958166
  • Hovland, C. I., Janis, I. L., & Kelly, H. H. (1953). Communication and persuasion: Psychological studies in opinion change. American Sociological Review, 19(3), 355–357. https://doi.org/10.2307/2087772
  • Hudders, L., De Jans, S., & De Veirman, M. (2021). The commercialization of social media stars: A literature review and conceptual framework on the strategic use of social media influencers. International Journal of Advertising, 40(3), 327–375. https://doi.org/10.1080/02650487.2020.1836925
  • Influencer Marketing Hub. (2022). The state of influencer marketing 2023. Benchmark report. Retrieved February 10, 2023, from https://influencermarketinghub.com/influencer-marketing-benchmark-report/
  • ISPO. (2023). Top brands of sportswear on Instagram. Retrieved October 2, 2023, from https://www.ispo.com/en/companies/top-10-most-popular-sports-brands-instagram
  • Jin, S. V., & Muqaddam, A. (2019). Product placement 2.0: “Do Brands Need Influencers, or Do Influencers Need Brands?”. Journal of Brand Management, 26(5), 522–537. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41262-019-00151-z
  • Jun, S., & Yi, J. (2020). What makes followers loyal? The role of influencer interactivity in building influencer brand equity. Journal of Product & Brand Management, 29(6), 803–814. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPBM-02-2019-2280
  • Kapitan, S., van Esch, P., Soma, V., & Kietzmann, J. (2022). Influencer marketing and authenticity in content creation. Australasian Marketing Journal, 30(4), 342–351. https://doi.org/10.1177/18393349211011171
  • Koles, B., Audrezet, A., Moulard, J. G., Ameen, N., & McKenna, B. (2024). The authentic virtual influencer: Authenticity manifestations in the metaverse. Journal of Business Research, 170, 114325.
  • Lee, J. A., & Eastin, M. S. (2021). Perceived authenticity of social media influencers: Scale development and validation. Journal of Research in Interactive Marketing, 15(4), 822–841. https://doi.org/10.1108/JRIM-12-2020-0253
  • Linan, R., Lee, S. K., & Chun, S. (2023). The effects of influencer type, regulatory focus, and perceived authenticity on consumers’ purchase intention. International Journal of Consumer Studies, 47(4), 1241–1255. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijcs.12898
  • Martikainen, I., & Pitkänen, A. (2020). The significance of consumers‘ perceived authenticity to engagement: Explorative research of influencer marketing in instagram [MA Thesis in Business Administration]. Linköping University. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/0a6f/766ba6c1715d8542e229094bc3a8fabe7fc9.pdf?_ga=2.170864611.298487424.1616072865-2405443091616072865
  • McCracken, G. (1989). Who is the celebrity endorser? Cultural foundations of the endorsement process. Journal of Consumer Research, 16(3), 310–322. https://doi.org/10.1086/209217
  • McGuire, W. J. (1985). Attitudes and attitude change. In G. Lindzey & E. Aronson (Eds.), Handbook of Social Psychology (Vol. 2, pp. 233–346). Random House.
  • Miguel, C., Clare, C., Ashworth, C. J., & Hoang, D. (2022). ‘With a little help from my friends’: Exploring mutual engagement and authenticity within foodie influencers’ communities of practice. Journal of Marketing Management, 38(13–14), 1561–1586. https://doi.org/10.1080/0267257X.2022.2041705
  • Nafees, L., Cook, C. M., Nikolov, A. N., & Stoddard, J. E. (2021). Can social media influencer (SMI) power influence consumer brand attitudes? The mediating role of perceived SMI credibility. Digital Business, 1(2), 100008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.digbus.2021.100008
  • Ohanian, R. (1990). Construction and validation of a scale to measure celebrity endorser’s perceived expertise, trustworthiness, and attractiveness. Journal of Advertising, 19(3), 39–52. https://doi.org/10.1080/00913367.1990.10673191
  • Okonkwo, I., & Namkoisse, E. (2023). The Role of Influencer Marketing in Building Authentic Brand Relationships Online. Journal of Digital Marketing and Communication, 3(2), 81–90. https://doi.org/10.53623/jdmc.v3i2.350
  • Osgood, C. E., & Tannenbaum, P. H. (1955). The principle of congruity in the prediction of attitude change. Psychological Review, 62(1), 42–55. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0048153
  • Piehler, R., Schade, M., Sinnig, J., & Burmann, C. (2022). Traditional or ‘instafamous’ celebrity? Role of origin of fame in social media influencer marketing. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 30(4), 408–420. https://doi.org/10.1080/0965254X.2021.1909107
  • Pöyry, E. I., Pelkonen, M., Naumanen, E., & Laaksonen, S.-M. (2019). A call for authenticity: Audience responses to social media influencer endorsements in strategic communication. International Journal of Strategic Communication, 13(4), 336–351. https://doi.org/10.1080/1553118X.2019.1609965
  • Radmann, A., Hedenborg, S., & Broms, L. (2021). Social media influencers in equestrian sport. Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 3(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2021.669026
  • Reade, J. (2021). Keeping it raw on the ‘gram: Authenticity, relatability and digital intimacy in fitness cultures on Instagram. New Media & Society, 23(3), 535–553. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444819891699
  • Sakiyama, R., Dahana, W. D., Baumann, C., & Ye, M. (2023). Cross-industrial study on satisfaction-commitment-PWOM linkage: The role of competition, consumption visibility, and service relationship. Journal of Business Research, 160, 113715. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.113715
  • Smith, A. N., Fischer, E., & Yongjian, C. (2012). How does brand-related user-generated content differ across YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter? Journal of Interactive Marketing, 26(2), 102–113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intmar.2012.01.002
  • Statista. (2020). Engagement per post of leading sport and fitness creators on Instagram*. Italy as of March 2020. Retrieved September 15, 2023, from, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1126447/leading-sport-and-fitness-influencers-on-instagram-in-italy/
  • Strauss, A., & Corbin, J. (1990). Basics of qualitative research. Sage.
  • Uzunoğlu, E., & Kip, S. M. (2014). Brand communication through digital influencers: Leveraging blogger engagement. International Journal of Information Management, 34(5), 592–602. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2014.04.007
  • Wang, E. S.-T., & Weng, Y.-J. (2023). Influence of social media influencer authenticity on their followers’ perceptions of credibility and their positive word-of-mouth. Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing & Logistics. https://doi.org/10.1108/APJML-02-2023-0115
  • Watkins, B. (2022). An Examination of the Influencer–Brand Relationship: Implications and Future Directions for Influencer Marketing. In J. H. Lipschultz, K. Freberg, & R. Luttrell (Eds.), The Emerald Handbook of Computer-Mediated Communication and Social Media (pp. 287–303). Emerald Publishing Limited. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80071-597-420221017
  • Wellman, M. L., Stoldt, R., Tully, M., & Ekdale, B. (2020). Ethics of authenticity: Social media influencers and the production of sponsored content. Journal of Media Ethics, 35(2), 68–82. https://doi.org/10.1080/23736992.2020.1736078
  • Ye, M., Dahana, W. D., Baumann, C., & Li, X. (2023). When does media multitasking induce store visit and conversion? The influence of motivational factors. Electronic Commerce Research and Applications, 59, 101256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.elerap.2023.101256
  • Zniva, R., Weitzl, W. J., & Lindmoser, C. (2023). Be constantly different! How to manage influencer authenticity. Electronic Commerce Research, 23(3), 1485–1514. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10660-022-09653-6

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.