Computer-generated influencers — is it a fad or a trend?
Computer-generated influencer is one of the emerging trends in the arena of influencer marketing. These CGI influencers are not real, but they’ve got a social life, passions, opinions, and even relationships. Yes, you heard right!
This trend is here to stay! Brands are trying to create their own digital influencers to control their messaging.
Characteristics of CGI:
These social media influencers aren’t real or human.
They are generated by computers.
Their “personalities” are entirely fictional.
Their social media feeds often look too good to be true.
The creators have given them distinctive personalities.
They are manufactured virtually and everything that they do is crafted by designers and programmers.
They’re paired with animated images.
You can see them posing with celebrities and hanging out with their friends at exotic locations
Everything that they post is discussed by a team of social media managers at the back-end
Their “diverse characters” can be easily altered to suit the whims of brands
Here I have listed a few of their #Instagram handles:
@lilmiquela
@imma.gram
@shudu.gram
@blawko22
@bermudaisbae
@reahkeem
Will they survive in the long run?
Pros:
a) Big brands are ready to cash in on their potential and collaborate with them
b) They can talk and post in any language and travel around the globe easily
Cons:
a) Their picture-perfect life are selling an idyllic and unreal standard of lifestyle in any language and travel around the globe easily
b) Their recommendations might not be trustworthy
c) The FTC doesn’t have specific guidance on CGI influencers, hence the possibility of getting banned without any prior notice
d) The FTC works to stop deceptive ads, and its Endorsement Guides go into detail about how advertisers and endorsers can stay on the right side of the law.
FTC: Federal Trade Commission (This organization works to stop deceptive ads, and its endorsement guides go into detail about how advertisers and endorsers can stay on the right side of the law.)
In the current influencer phenomenon worldwide, India has also got its first CGI. You can meet him here: @rajivnotrajeev. He is working for LOTA.
LG, IKEA, Prada, Samsung, Calvin Klein, Dior, Hermes, Tiffany & Co., Puma, Nike have already worked with such CGI influencers.
