L’identification des e-Leaders d’Opinion (e-LO) sur les réseaux sociaux internet est un enjeu important pour les managers marketing. Cette thèse s’intéresse à ces e-LO au travers de leur rôle, de leur statut et de leur identification. Chacun de ces trois piliers de la thèse fait l’objet d’une controverse dans la littérature. Les trois études menées dans cette thèse apportent des réponses complémentaires et croisées à ces controverses. Concernant le statut de l’e-LO, nous définissions l’e-LO dans les réseaux sociaux internet selon trois caractéristiques : l’expertise dans la catégorie de produit, la volonté de publier des contenus valorisables pour leurs contacts et la volonté de développer leur capital social. Concernant l’identification des e-LO, une échelle de mesure multidimensionnelle dotée d’une bonne validité externe est développée. Elle est confrontée à des mesures d’e-LO et de LO inspirées de la littérature, mais également à des mesures alternatives comme la métrique algorithmique Klout et des indicateurs sociométriques de profil Twitter. Enfin, quatre modèles et leurs variantes sont testés pour mieux comprendre l’origine et le mécanisme de l’e-influence de l’e-LO (rôle de l’e-LO). Nous montrons que l’e-LO a un impact sur l’e-influence dans la catégorie de produit. La confiance joue le rôle de médiateur entre l’e-LO et l’e-influence. Ces résultats plaident pour l’intérêt des e-LO pour le marketing viral. / E-Opinion Leaders (e-OL) identification on internet social networks is a major issue for marketing managers. This thesis deals with the role, status and identification of these e-OL. Each one of these three aspects are subject to controversial debates in the literature. Three studies are conducted within this thesis. They provide complementary and crossed answers to these debates. Regarding the e-OL status, we offer a definition for the e-OL concept in the specific context of internet social networks within three main characteristics: expertise in the product category, the will to publish valuable contents for their contacts, and the will to develop their social capital. Then, for the e-OL identification, we develop a new and multidimensional measurement scale for this concept. This scale shows good external validity. We confront it with others e-LO measures inspired by traditional OL measures, but also with alternative identification methods as the Twitter profile indicators and the Klout score algorithm. Finally, we test four models and their variants in order to better understand the origin and mechanism of the main e-LO role: the e-influence. We especially show that e-OL has an impact on e-influence. We also show that confidence mediates the link between e-LO and e-influence. These results speak to the relevance of e-OL in a viral marketing perspective.

It grows rapidly the global men ¡¦s skin care market in developed country. There are 1 billion market size which represent s 40% to 60 % growth in the men¡¦s skin care market in Taiwan since year of 2005 . It also motivates the Word-of -Mouth market ing when the commercial advertisement has been skipped by end consumers times and times again . There are all kinds of updated word-of-mouth marketing develop ed such as: @WOM, Viral marketing, Blog marketing. It is a case to leverage the word -of-mouth marketing in brand building for a pure Men¡¦s skin care brand . This study is to explore the key successful factors for appling the Word-Of-Mouth marketing within a new market, especialy for an independent men¡¦s skin care brand. There are interview s for brand-owner and on-line ¡Vretailer, and questionary for consumers in this project. The first finding is that men ¡¦s skin care concept is more acceptable than before . It becomes more popular to purchase the products by men¡¦s their own. Further more, men start to try the suncare and anti -oil products in the ir daily regimen. However, female is still playing the key roll in decision making for her boy friend or families. We also found, the female rarely know n the difference between men¡¦s and women¡¦s skin care regimen. Even she might be an expertise in her own skin care needs. As a result, we should provide the free sample with ¡§You must know information¡¨ to the key person, SHE, then influent her boy friend and families. It is how we differentiate the independent men¡¦s skin care brand. The second finding is most of the heavy internet users are the followers; they are not interested in the men¡¦s skin care information. Therefore, it is hardly to trigger off the tipping point if we target the male as early adaptor via @WOM. In another words, we can not exect a big boom if the @WOM didn¡¦t reach women. In summary, the word-of-mouth marketing for men¡¦s skin care brand, first thing is to create the truly words via the early users, the men who already experienced the oil-control product and/or suncare products. The secondary is to broadcast the words from early users thru @WOM, PR exposures, free samples to reach women as sneezers. The last, to roll out a new topic ensure the on going spreading for brands every 12 weeks.

The “camera eats first” phenomenon has become a worldwide popular culture which affects our everyday life. The study is committed to look at the foodie behavior on Instagram in Hong Kong, a renowned gourmet paradise. Through a qualitative study of five Instagram foodies, it aims to explore and add an academic dimension of understanding of the culture from the foodie’s perspective and their online behaviors of running a public profile about daily food consumption on Instagram. The results suggested that some foodies see their profiles as the extension of themselves, a space to showcase their works and preferences; but they do not see their profile as a future business opportunity. Even though the foodies on Instagram are mostly amateur instead of professionally trained food photographers, they keep enhancing their skills by learning from their peers and constant practices, for the sake of producing attractive photos. Flat-lay is one of the most popular styles of photography on Instagram which is appreciated by the foodies, as well as the audience. Attractive food visual content and skillful labeling hashtags have made Instagram a platform to satisfy intense desire for food consumption. A foodie’s interaction with audience further enhances the consumer’s desire by offering personal comments. The findings imply that there is a wide scale of foodies with different attitudes towards their practice of posting food images on Instagram. It is crucial for food marketers to understand their attitudes and preferences for better communication. Future research can be conducted on a broader scale of foodies to examine foodies and their influence on social class, giving marketers more ideas of effective positioning and segmentation.

In order to minimize duplication, consolidate resources and strengthen industry representation to government, the South African Avocado Growers Association (SAAGA), South African Litchi Growers Association (SALGA), South African Macadamia Growers Association (SAMAC) and the South African Mango Growers Association (SAMGA); amalgamated under an umbrella organization called Subtrop. This study focuses on the pre and post effect the amalgamation had on Extension services to the abovementioned organizations. The effect was measured by conducting a survey. The survey measured both Subtrop member and relevant Subtrop staff responses. The survey used two questionnaire types, one for Subtrop members and one for Subtrop extension advisors. The questionnaires were designed to complement the SPPS V19.0® statistical package. The questionnaires were completed at group interview sessions. A total of 127 farmer respondents, divided in two groups, namely 90 farmer respondents and 37 opinion leader respondents participated in the external survey. The internal survey comprised of six Subtrop extension advisor respondents. Farmer and opinion leader respondents, (hereafter called respondents), provided their perceptions and rated the extension services of the technical department of Subtrop. Results showed that the respondents used the Extension services for on farm advice and group based Extension services like study groups. The Subtrop Extension services received a higher rating after the Subtrop amalgamation than before the amalgamation. Subtrop extension advisor responses showed a need for training and coaching, as well as some reconciliation with respect to the increase in work load afforded by the amalgamation. Pre-amalgamation extension advisors served one commodity, while post amalgamation extension advisors now serve four commodities. The respondents indicated their satisfaction with the organizing of study groups. They also indicated that the study groups met their needs. Although the respondents understood the value of intercommunication and participation, the study showed that the minority realized the need to take ownership of study groups. All the extension advisors indicated that organizing study groups was the single activity that used most of their time. The Subtrop study groups were rated higher after the Subtrop amalgamation than before. The Subtrop newsletters were rated higher after the Subtrop amalgamation. The respondents indicated the newsletters as valuable and therefore proved newsletters as an appropriate extension communication tool. The Subtrop websites were indicated as somewhat valuable. Most respondents indicated a lack of awareness of the websites, indicating a need to promote the websites better. Although very few respondents completed the marketing related services section of the survey, those that completed this section were all aware of this service. The following recommendations emerged: For extension advisors: <ul> <li> The development of a curriculum of Subtrop commodities for training purposes;</li> <li> Regular technical and soft-skill training;</li> <li> The development of a mentorship program; and</li> <li> For new extension advisors an orientation program which includes the above mentioned.</li> </ul> To improve the Extension service outputs: programmed extension and the implementation of area committees. Additional focus on communication and exit interviews. For farmer members: <ul> <li> Study group management needs to be improved, combine newsletters, improve awareness of research and promote websites and market services.</li> <li> Further: develop an extension policy, maximize area committee involvement and regular member feedback surveys.</li></ul> / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted

Bakgrund: Marknadsföring på sociala medier är ett modernt fenomen inom markandsföringsvärlden och ett koncept som företag kan skapa ökad brand awareness genom (Adebanjo &amp; Michaelides, 2010; O’Reilly, 2005). Influencer marketing kommer från celebrity brand endorsing, användning av kända personer i reklam för företag. Jaakonmäki, Müller &amp; Brocke (2017) menar på att sociala medier blivit ett betydelsefullt redskap för att etablera relationerna mellan företaget och dess konsumenter. Användare av sociala medier har däremot blivit mer selektiva och medvetna av uppenbar reklam när den inte uppfattas som genuin eller autentisk vilket i sin tur påverkar tillförlitligheten (Campbell &amp; Farrell, 2020). Ämnet Influencer marketing på sociala medier är därför ett aktuellt ämne att undersöka. Syfte: Studien har undersökt influencer marketing utifrån företagsperspektiv med frågeställningen: Hur arbetar kända företag för att skapa brand awareness genom sociala medier och influencer marketing samt vad anser de om influencer marketing? Teoretisk referensram: Den teori som grundar hela studien behandlar Brand equity, Opinion leader, Influencer marketing och The match-up effect. Metod: För att samla in data har en kvalitativ metod använts i form av semistrukturerade intervjuer där fem respondenter från olika företag aktiva inom influencer markting deltog. Slutsatser: Resultatet i denna studie visade att influencer marketing hjälper företag att skapa brand awareness med hjälp av konsekvent närvaro på sociala medier, större räckvidd, fler omtalningar, högre engagemang och mer genuinitet i samarbetet. Men att kända företag på sociala medier som lyckats med influencer marketing inte följer en strategi. / Background: Marketing on social media is a modern phenomenon in the marketing world and a concept through which companies can create increased brand awareness (Adebanjo &amp; Michaelides, 2010; O’Reilly, 2005). Influencer marketing comes from celebrity brand endorsing, the use of celebrities in corporate advertising. Jaakonmäki, Müller &amp; Brocke (2017) believe that social media has become an important tool for establishing relationships between the company and its consumers. On the other hand, users of social media have become more selective and aware of obvious advertising when it is not perceived as genuine or authentic, which in turn affects reliability (Campbell &amp; Farrell, 2020). The topic Influencer marketing on social media is therefore a current topic to investigate. Purpose: The study has examined influencer marketing from a company perspective with the question: How do well-known companies work to create brand awareness through social media and influencer marketing and what do they think about influencer marketing? Theory: The theory that underlies the entire study deals with Brand equity, Opinion leader, Influencer marketing and The match-up effect. Method: To collect data, a qualitative method has been used in the form of semi-structured interviews in which five respondents from different companies active in influencer marketing participated. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that influencer marketing helps companies create brand awareness with the help of consistent presence on social media, greater reach, more publicity, higher engagement and more genuineness in collaboration. But that well-known companies on social media that have succeeded with influencer marketing do not follow a strategy.

In today’s society, social media has become a part of many people’s everyday life. Social media can be seen as a new phenomenon with millions of daily users all over the world. Social media can further be defined as a forum where people are able to communicate and interact with each other. This bachelor thesis is based on the social media phenomena; blogs- a forum that cannot be ignored. Internet is today commonly used as an information source, the question is if blogs work in the same way and what influence do blogs have over its receivers? This created the purpose of the research; to describe to what degree consumers are getting influenced over what is being negotiated in blogs. The purpose will be answered with help of a research question; what type of influence do blogs have over consumers? Which further are complemented with three hypotheses. In this research a theoretical framework is presented with the theories; brand image, social media, blogs, word of mouth and opinion leader. To gain empirical evidence and to be able to answer the purpose of the research a quantitative method approach has been performed and the empirical findings where done though a questionnaire. Which was further analyzed, with help from the statistical data program SPSS. The conclusion of the research has developed knowledge in the area, blog and moreover to which degree the forum influences its consumers. It could be established that blog have an impact and a relationship to the variables, brand image, word of mouth and opinion leader.

I dagens samhälle är internet något som de flesta har tillgång till. Sociala medier är en utav de aktiviteter som finns tillgängliga på internet och används som mest av ungdomar, däribland Generation Z. Genom sociala mediers höga tillgänglighet och kommunikationsmöjligheter skapar detta möjligheter för företag som vill sprida information till kräsna målgrupper. Produktplacering är en av de marknadsföringsverktyg på sociala medier som har visat sig vara effektiv i ett samhälle där människor filtrerar bort reklam på daglig basis. Opinionsledare är ytterligare ett verktyg som företagen använder sig av för att snabbare nå ut med sinakommunikativa budskap. Då ungdomar inom Generation Z är bekväma och innovativa har de också ett mer kritiskt och krävande förhållningssätt till det som publiceras på internet. Denna uppsats har därför som syfte att få en djupare förståelse för vilka attityder ungomdarna har till produktplacerade bilder på Instagram och om opinionsledare på plattformen har en påverkan på dem. Forskningsfrågor har upprättats som lyder: ‘’Vilka attityder har ungdomar inom Generation Z till produktplacering på Instagram?’’ samt ‘’Hur påverkar opinionsledare på Instagram ungdomar inom Generation Zs attityder?’’. Att undersöka produktplacering på Instagram var av stort intresse just för att applikationen är den app som ungdomar använder mest. Det finns dock begränsad forskning av vilka attityder som denna åldersgrupp har till produktplacering på Instagram och hur opinionsledare som medverkande kraft i denna plattform kan påverka dessa. För att kunna fylla detta kunskapsgap har vi framfört teori om kommunikation, påverkan och attityder för att sedan kunna analysera detta med det resultat som framkom under genomförandet av två kvalitativafokusgruppsintervjuer. Det visade sig att åldersgruppens attityder mestadels grundar sig i en “värdeuttrycksfunktion” av den orsak att de vill kunna koppla det som produktplaceras till deras sociala identitet och värderingar. Opinionsledaren har även visat sig ha en stor påverkan på åldersgruppensattityder om dem uttrycker sig på ett trovärdigt sätt. För att det kommunikativa budskapet i produktplaceringen ska nå fram behöver också åldersgruppen känna att de kan identifiera sigeller relatera till opinionsledarens åsikter. Krav på att produktplacering behöver vara skräddarsydd efter deras behov och intressen finns också vilket visar på att en så kallad “nyttofunktion” också präglar deras attityder. / In today's society, the internet is something that most people have access to. Social media is a popular activity on the internet and is mostly used by young people, including Generation Z. Through social media's high availability and communication capabilities, it creates new opportunities for companies that want to spread information to their target groups. Product placement is one of the marketing tools on social media that has proven to be effective in a society where people filter out advertising on a daily basis. Opinion leaders are another tool that companies use to speed up the proliferation of their communicative messages. As young people within Generation Z are comfortable and innovative, they also have a more critical and demanding approach to what is published on the internet. Therefore this essay aims to gain a deeper understanding of what kind of attitudes young people have to product-placed pictures on Instagram and also if opinion leaders on the platform have an impact on these attitudes. Issues have been formulated as the following: “What attitudes does young people in Generation Z have towards product placement on Instagram?” and, ‘’How does opinion leaders have an impact on young people in Generation Z’s attitudes on Instagram?’’. Examining product placement on Instagram was of great interest because of the fact that the application is the one that young people use the most. However, there is limited research on what kind of attitudes this age group has towards product placement on Instagram and how opinion leaders as a contributing power on this platform can affect them. In order to fill the gap of lacking data, we have presented theories in communication, impact and attitudes which will be analyzed with the results that were obtained during the implementation of two qualitative focus group interviews. It was shown that the attitudes of the young adults are mostly linked to a “value-expression function” based on the reason that they want to be able to link what has been product placed to their own social identity and values. The opinion leader has also been shown to have a major influence on the attitudes of the age group as long as they express themselves in a trustworthy way. In order for the communicative message of the product placement to approach them properly, the age group needs to feel that they can identify or relate to the opinions of the opinion leader. They also require that the product placement needs to be tailored to their needs and interests, this indicates that a so-called “utilitarian function” characterizes their attitudes.

The main topic of this master thesis is modern opinion leaders and their influence on consumption behavior of teenagers. The aim of the thesis is to characterize the opinion leaders of the modern age, to analyze their area of influence and to derive their influence on the consumer behavior of adolescents. The partial aim of the master thesis is the comparison of boys and girls. In the theoretical part, opinion leaders are defined, as well as their social networking and their influence in the marketing purposes. The consumer behavior of teenagers and the types of opinion leaders who influence them are described in detail. The practical part deals with social media influencers and determines the degree of their influence on teenagers' purchases. The actual research was carried out through questionnaire surveys and group discussions.

Cette recherche explique la formation de l’engagement dans les communautés virtuelles, ainsi que ses déterminants. Bien qu'il existe de nombreuses études sur l'engagement, nous nous concentrons sur l'engagement en ligne, en examinant l'effet des leaders d'opinion au sein des communautés virtuelles. Pour atteindre cet objectif, nous avons examiné quatre différents types de communautés virtuelles par une méthode netnographique. De plus, nous avons mené des entretiens avec les experts des marques pour comprendre comment ils abordent l'engagement en ligne. Nos résultats montrent qu’en plus de l'engagement envers la marque et de l’engagement envers la communauté, il existe un autre type d’engagement au sein de la communauté virtuelle. Cet engagement est envers une personne : le leader d’opinion. Dans cette recherche, nous avons développé une échelle de mesure d’engagement envers le leader d’opinion. Les résultats de notre étude quantitative affirment la fiabilité et la validité de cette échelle. Ainsi, les résultats indiquent que les bénéfices perçus et l’engagement envers le leader d’opinion ont des effets positifs sur l’engagement envers la communauté. Cette recherche permet d'approfondir les connaissances théoriques liées à l’engagement en ligne. Elle permet également aux professionnels du marketing d’utiliser les communautés virtuelles plus efficacement pour leurs stratégies de communication. / This research explains the formation of commitment in virtual communities, as well as its determinants. Although there are many studies about commitment, we focus on online commitment, by examining the effect of opinion leaders in virtual communities. To reach this goal, we examined four different types of virtual communities using a netnographic method. Besides that, we conducted interviews with brand experts to understand how they approach online commitment. Our results show that, in addition to brand commitment and community commitment, there is another type of commitment in the virtual community which is towards to a person: opinion leader. In this research, we developed a scale of commitment to the opinion leader. The results of our quantitative study confirm the reliability and validity of this scale. Thus, the results indicate that, perceived benefits and commitment to the opinion leader have positive effects on community commitment. This research allows to deepen the theoretical knowledge related to online commitment. It also allows marketing professionals to use virtual communities more effectively for their communication strategies.

This study originally pursues determining how widely diffused Iowa Communications Network (ICN) is as a technology of distance education. To be clear, the question to be answered is: How do representative adopters of the ICN feel about using this technology? Theoretically, positive opinions of these adopters regarding the ICN as a technology of distance learning are viewed as indicating that the technology is fairly diffused. The representative adopters in this study are selected from among experts and educational leaders. Further in the study, it is also sought to explore how distance education might progress in the future. A major point of departure for the study is that favorable opinions toward an innovation help influence its diffusion. Extensive information is thus provided regarding theories of opinion leadership from late 19th century to present. Three different lines of thought are identified among these theories: imitation and modeling, influence from mass media, and influence from the Internet. The study has used these theories to develop three research tools. Two of these tools are used to measure the diffusion of the ICN. The last one is used to make predictions about the future of distance education. The story of the ICN is closely related to what distance education might be like in the coming times. Distance-learning tools would of course grow increasingly advanced. But virtual education that became refined through using the ICN seems to hardly go through drastic change in the foreseeable future.