• Journal of Fashion Business
• /
• v.28 no.3
• /
• pp.90-103
• /
• 2024

The advancement of information and communication technologies has led to the rise of social media, giving rise to a new type of celebrity known as the "social media influencer". Social media influencers exert their influence not only by promoting products for various companies and brands but also by launching their own businesses. In other words, influencers leverage their credibility to create value in multiple markets as human brands, based on their unique characteristics and diverse images. Nowadays, social media influencers have become a type of human brand, supported by followers who enthusiastically engage in the influencers' businesses, a phenomenon also known as social shopping. Based on the human brand theory and doppelgänger effects, this study aims to investigate the impact of influencers' credibility, specifically their expertise, trustworthiness, and attractiveness on consumers' social shopping behaviors. Additionally, it examines the influence of consumers' desire to imitate influencers on their social shopping behaviors. A survey conducted with 300 female social media users revealed that trustworthiness and attractiveness significantly influenced imitation intentions and social shopping behaviors, while expertise did not show significant effects. Furthermore, imitation intentions had a significant impact on social shopping behaviors. These findings suggest that the attributes consumers perceive in influencers as human brands evoke a desire to imitate them, ultimately leading to social shopping behaviors.

• The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.245-251
• /
• 2022

This study attempted to examine the effect of virtual influencer, which is highly interested in consumers, and has recently been increasing the frequency of use in corporate marketing activities. In particular, the purpose is to examine the effect of the attributes of virtual influencer on consumers as an information source for a product or brand. To this end, the effect of perceived attractiveness, trustworthiness, and expertise of virtual influencer on SNS usage intention and imitation intention consumers was examined. As a result of the study, it was found that attractiveness among the attributes of virtual influencer had a positive effect on the usage intention, and attractiveness and trustworthiness had a positive effect on imitation intention. In addition, it was found that imitation intention had a positive effect on usage intention. In other words, the perceived attractiveness of virtual influencer by consumers through SNS is the most important attribute. These findings imply that when virtual influencer is used in marketing, companies must perceive the attractiveness of virtual influencer through content posted on SNS as well as their attributes as information sources. We expect the results of this study to provide major implications for marketing activities such as companies and public institutions that consider using virtual influencer.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.85-96
• /
• 2022

The MZ Generation likes watching YouTube videos produced by senior influencers despite the big age gap. In addition, the final goal of collaborative YouTube videos between senior influencers and brands is to increase sales. Accordingly, this study examined this interesting phenomenon and aimed to provide useful insights for creating YouTube videos targeting the MZ generation. This study was divided into two parts. Study 1 explored the viewers' perceived benefits by looking at the YouTube video comments of a senior fashion influencer, and then classified the perceived benefits into informational, psychological, and hedonic benefits. Study 2 analyzed the relationships among the viewers' perceived benefits (informational, psychological, hedonic benefits), attitude toward a brand, and behavior intention. Study 2 found that only informational benefits, among the three perceived benefits, enhanced attitudes toward a brand, thereby affecting behavior intention. Based on the results of two sub-studies, this study highlights the importance of informational benefits to maximize the marketing effects employing the collaborative YouTube videos of senior influencers and brands.

• The Journal of Information Systems
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.111-130
• /
• 2020

Purpose SNS (Social Network Service) is one of new promising marketing tools which allow marketer to do two-way communication and social interaction. Three characteristics of SNS marketing including informativeness, interactivity, and playfulness are distinguished from traditional marketing. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationships between three characteristics of SNS marketing, brand image, and purchase intention. Design/methodology/approach The present study proposed a research model integrating SNS marketing characteristics, brand image, and purchase intention represented by structural equation modelling and four hypotheses. A total of 20 questionnaire items for five variables were developed and measured by using five point Likert scale. 199 valid data were collected and used to test four hypotheses using SmartPLS. Findings Three hypotheses that the characteristics of SNS marketing such as informativeness, interactivity, and playfulness have a positive influence on brand image were supported at the significance level of 0.05 and 0.001 respectively. The hypothesis regarding the relationship between brand image and purchase intention was also supported at the significance level of 0.001. Brand image plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between SNS marketing and purchase intention. In particular, the result of research that playfulness of SNS marketing affects brand image significantly suggests a new future research theme regarding spiritual marketing. Implications for academics and practitioners were suggested.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.33-39
• /
• 2023

Social networking is gaining speed and has grown indispensable as technology develops. As a result, social media, particularly Facebook, Instagram, and influencer marketing, are replacing conventional marketing trends. The top 15 search terms for Mongolian women between the ages of 18 and 34 in 2019 on Facebook were cosmetics and shopping. Companies use social media, the main tool of social media, to promote their products while simultaneously increasing productivity at a minimal cost. In Mongolia, finding out about cosmetic brand products on social media is rather usual. The impact of social media influencers on the purchasing of cosmetic brands must thus be researched. We aimed to find out the relationship between attractiveness, authenticity, communication ability, and influence, which are characteristics of beauty influencers, on product purchase intention and identification between consumers and followers (information acceptance, purchase intention). Communication ability and influence appeared to have a statistically significant positive (+) effect on identification. On the other hand, attractiveness, communication ability, and influence all showed a statistically significant positive (+) effect on information acceptance. Identification and information acceptance has s significant positive effect on purchase intention.

• Journal of Fashion Business
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.90-107
• /
• 2021

This study concludes that communication based on interaction between broadcasting hosts and consumers is differently characterized by fashion live commerce types. Subcategories of the types of fashion live commerce were created and used in the analyses of domestic consumer awareness. Three subcategories were created: The department store type, Designer brand type, and Influencer host type. Comments representing consumers' awareness that appear immediately during real-time broadcasting were collected and used for the analyses. The frequency and TF-IDF-based top keywords were selected to analyze the semantic network and CONCOR, and the top keywords were analyzed by deriving the values of degree of centrality. The analysis identified that a group of product attributes and a group of live commerce offered value were common between the three types. As for the group characteristics classified by type, for the department store types, brand attributes, benefits, and values from pursuing the products were identified. For designer brand types, a group of viewers' responses and inquiries were identified. It is interpreted that the satisfaction value gained from hosts with product expertise has been clustered. Influencer host types have affirmed a group of external product values. A close relationship is formed and it is thought to have led a group of values to trust the external image of the product. This study carries significance in analyzing real-time comment data from consumers using fashion live commerce to empirically reveal the characteristics of each type.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.125-131
• /
• 2019

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between attitude, purchase intention, and intention to share content and brand intention according to Influencer contents and branded content types. The results of this study are as follows: First, beauty products have a positive effect on the content intention and purchase intention as well as the sharing intention as compared to the branded contents. Second, V-commerce of innovative products showed that the branded content was more positive than the influencer content, but the purchase intention was lower. In addition, the content of sharing is higher than that of branded content. Third, the sharing intention was more positive than the beauty product, and the influencer content was higher than the branded content. The purpose of this study is to examine the attitude, purchasing intention, and sharing intention of beauty products and innovative products, which are most frequently used and most interested in users, to examine the content strategy of V-Commerce.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
• /
• v.28 no.4
• /
• pp.446-462
• /
• 2020

The objectives of this study are to explore the information source, assessment, and preferred styles of 3D virtual influencers(VI), to investigate the expected impact of advertisements with 3D VIs on brands, and to explore ways of expanding the use of 3D VIs. In-depth interviews with 40 males and females in their 20s and 30s were conducted and qualitative data were analyzed. The study results are summarized as follows. First, the information source of the 3D VI was SNS, acquaintances, and broadcasting. Second, 3D VIs were considered positively due to their attractive appearance, wide utilization, innovative use, freshness, separation from private identity, and time and cost savings, while considered negatively due to their unrealistic appearance and antipathy against replacing a person's role. Third, the preferred appearance styles of the 3D VI differed according to the level of virtuality although the majority of interviewees preferred similar looks to real people with low virtuality. Fourth, diverse image qualities such as innovative, differentiated, trendy, high-value, professional, and future-oriented were considered as transferred to the brand advertised by 3D VIs. Fifth, advertisements with 3D VIs may help build positive perceptions of advertised brands that may lead to purchase behaviors for some consumers. Lastly, to expand the use of 3D VIs, the specific advantages of virtual models should be maximized with consideration of how to implement a variety of body types and images of models. Findings present an important foundation to generate strategies to better apply 3D VIs to the fashion market.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.1-14
• /
• 2024

Virtual influencers, who are emerging as new players in digital marketing, impact consumers' purchase intentions. They promote positive perceptions and mimetic consumption of specific brands or products through interactions with followers. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effect of the characteristics of virtual influencers on the purchase intention for fashion products through the consumers' mimetic desire. As characteristics of virtual influencers, five factors were set: reality, attractiveness, professionalism, trustworthiness, and curiosity. Data for analysis were collected through an online questionnaire from the 8th to the 15th of August 2023, and 268 data points in total were analyzed using SPSS and Process Macro 4.3. The results of the study showed that the characteristics of virtual influencers all positively affected mimetic desire and purchase intention for fashion products. Moreover, it was found that mimetic desire has a mediating effect between the five characteristics of virtual influencers and the purchase intention for fashion products. Mimetic desire fully mediates the relationship between reality and the intention to purchase fashion products, and partially mediates the relationship between attractiveness, professionalism, trustworthiness, and curiosity and the purchase intention for fashion products. These findings further enhance the understanding of the relationship between virtual influencers and consumer behavior and identify the relationship between virtual influencers, mimetic desire, and fashion product purchase intentions. Consequently, leveraging virtual influencers strategically in digital marketing, the fashion industry can amplify positive brand perceptions, drive consumer engagement, and ultimately foster increased purchase intent.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.152-161
• /
• 2023

Modern people live a life connected with the real world and the virtual world by relying on the new media of enterprises and social consumption led by innovative technologies. In this environment, virtual influencers actively communicate with consumers and build relationships through social media, which is a new marketing tool that has attracted widespread attention. From a business perspective, it is necessary to have a solid understanding of this phenomenon, and then explore communication strategies to effectively develop virtual influencers. To investigate followers' preference for virtual influencers, this study employs the Q-method, which studies human subjective attributes, an empirical research effort to uncover complex issues in human subjectivity. To determine the factors that trigger people's voluntary and active practice and the preference degree of virtual influencers, the Q method is implemented to examine human subjectivity, thoughts and attitudes. According to the results of this study, virtual influencers are a new group of idols full of vitality. The interviews found that there are still many virtual influencers who do not know about followers, but each type can be clearly understood through the intuitive understanding of the interviewees. Divided out, type 1 one egoideal virtual influencers aim to represent an idealized version of the creator or target audience. Embodies ideal physical characteristics, personality or lifestyle desired by the audience. Type 2 is charismatic and attractive, and has the characteristics of most virtual influencers. It is suggested that it can be developed into a potential type, doing brand cooperation, and content production on social media platforms. Type 3: Game animation, derived from the image of characters in games or comics, with stylized features and energetic personalities, which can be integrated into games or entertainment experiences. Type 4 development potential type is the most successful type among virtual imagers, and it is also the purpose of marketing virtual influencers. It is essential that brand endorsement on social media platforms, integrated marketing, and driving advertising traffic. It is recommended to improve production technology to reduce investment costs.