Have you ever asked yourself how influencer marketing got started? Where did this idea come from? What did influencers look like before social media? Good news for you: I have had all the same questions, if not more.

According to OlsenMetrix, the first instance of influencer marketing occurred in England in 1760, when a fine china shop known as Wedgwood created a tea set for Queen Charlotte and described their creation as “Queen’s Ware.” Over time, you can see “influencer marketing” start to grow. In 1882, Lillie Langtry became the face of Pears’ Soap. More familiar to us is Coca-Cola’s use of Santa Claus back in the 1930s, as well as the polar bears they use to encourage consumers to purchase their product. Influencers can come in many shapes and sizes. If polar bears can do it, then so can your cute pup showing off their favorite chew toy.

Influencer marketing dates back a lot further than I had thought!

Now, let’s fast forward a few decades. Welcome to the digital era! Here we are in 2023, with influencer marketing in a digital space. We are now able to reach mass amounts of consumers, and brands are given an additional boost by partnering with an influencer. Influencer marketing is not going anywhere; if anything, it is on the rise. In 2022, influencer marketing was a $16.4 BILLION industry. By 2028, it is projected to hit over $80 billion.

Take your brand to the next level and connect with local influencers, global influencers or even your furry friends!