Allison+Partners’ New Influence Impact Study Shows Digital Influencers Drive Donations and Engagement with Causes

Consumers who follow digital influencers are more likely to share information about and engage with a cause, according to the third Allison+Partners’ Influence Impact Report. The findings illustrate a growing audience that is both digitally connected and deeply invested in charitable issues, signaling influencers as an increasingly important consideration for cause marketers.

A review of the data reveals that insight-driven use of influencers in a cause campaign can drive awareness, as well as drive donations and volunteer engagement. Of those who follow digital influencers:

• 35 percent engaged with a cause due to an influencer’s recommendation
• 31 percent were open to the idea of engaging with a cause due to an influencer’s recommendation

Of the 35 percent who engaged with a cause due to an influencer’s recommendation, 52 percent shared awareness about the cause and 51 percent made a financial donation. Thirty-seven percent actually volunteered with the organization in question.

The study revealed that an influencer’s personal connection to the cause is critically important in determining whether their recommendation will drive consumer action. When asked about what inspires trust in an influencer’s recommendation about a cause:

• 63 percent said “if the influencer personally volunteers with the organization”
• 61 percent said “if the influencer shares stories of others who have been helped or impacted by the charity or cause”
• 60 percent said “if the influencer was personally impacted by the cause”

“Brands and nonprofits are investing heavily in influencer programs with the hope of shaping beliefs and inspiring action for their initiatives,” said Scott Pansky, co-founder and head of the social impact practice at Allison+Partners. “The data shows that working with digital influencers is making an impact, but that impact is dependent on finding the right influencers who can tell your story in a way that is authentic to them and their followers.”

Finding those select influencers takes real rigor and a proven process for identification and evaluation. To that end, Allison+Partners introduced its Influence Impact Score last year, based on proprietary data and two years of studying the changing landscape of influence. The scoring system helps define the correct blend of influencers for a brand by quantifying the complex variables that determine potential impact, particularly useful for brands and nonprofits looking to engage.

The latest Influence Impact Report, “Powerful Connections: How Influence, Empathy and Engagement Have Transformed Cause in the Digital Era,” is available for download at http://www.allisonpr.com/what/influence-360.html and also contains a wealth of insights and actionable advice on:

• The correlation between individuals who follow digital influencers and those who care about cause
• How authenticity and personal stories drive engagement and impact for cause efforts
• What brands should consider when developing a cause partnership
• What types of content and channels are most successful at promoting brand-cause partnerships
• The power of tapping local influencers
• How to convert followers into advocates by creating content they are willing to share

About the Influence Impact Report

The Influence Impact Report is an ongoing series that explores the dynamic forces that shape and drive consumers in an active ecosystem of influence. This report was compiled using three studies conducted in April 2017, which included an online survey of 1,024 people in the U.S. over the age of 18 using Qualtrics; an online survey of 1,000 people in the U.S. over the age of 18 that indicated they followed a digital influencer (identified as someone they follow online solely for the value of their content and not due to any offline relationship) using Survata; and an online survey of 1,065 people in the U.S. over the age of 18 to determine the incidence rate of those who follow digital influencers (identified as someone they follow online solely for the value of their content and not due to any offline relationship) using Survata. To download the Influence Impact Reports, visit http://www.allisonpr.com/what/influence-360.html.

About Allison+Partners

Allison+Partners, an MDC Partners company, is a global marketing and communications agency driven by a collaborative approach to innovation and creativity. The firm was named The Holmes Report’s 2017 “Digital Agency of the Year,” 2016 “Asia Pacific Corporate Agency of the Year,” PRWeek’s 2015 “Midsize Agency of the Year” and In2 SABRE’s 2015 “Most Innovative Agency.” Allison+Partners has 27 offices worldwide and is organized around six practices: Consumer Marketing, Corporate, Global China, Health Care, Public Affairs and Technology. All Told, which combines research, content, creative, digital and measurement expertise into one offering, works across these practices to deliver integrated storytelling for clients. The agency also has a network and deep affiliations with firms worldwide through MDC Partners (NASDAQ:MDCA), a progressive marketing and communications network, championing the most innovative entrepreneurial talent. For more information, visit www.allisonpr.com.

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