American influencers, including Chriselle Lim, Brittany Xavier, Danielle
Bernstein and Nicolette Mason have formed the not-for-profit membership
trade association, the American Influencer Council (AIC), to offer
“integrity, viability and growth of the US influencer marketing industry in
a globally connected world”.
The first and only trade organisation led by and for social media
influencers has made its mission to advance digital marketing education as
well as the art and authenticity of co-branded content as shared through
social media platforms for the ultimate benefit of society.
Founded by Qianna Smith Bruneteau, The American Influencer Council is an
invite-only trade association for members who are Instagrammers, TikTokers,
YouTubers, bloggers, podcasters, photographers, illustrators, online
personalities, creatives and custom content leaders.
The American Influencer Council’s board of directors consists of
founding chairwoman Chriselle Lim, vice president Aliza Licht, and vice
president Brittany Xavier. Founding members are Rocky Barnes, Danielle
Bernstein, Blair Breitenstein, Serena Goh, Kat Irlin, Patrick Janelle,
Nicolette Mason, Karl Pierre, and Chrissy Rutherford.
“Clickbait headlines claiming the age of influencers is over undermine
the contributions of creators to the US GDP. These digital media
entrepreneurs are fuelling the creative, storylines and success behind the
influencer marketing industry projected to reach 15 billion US dollars by
2022,” says Qianna Smith Bruneteau. “The AIC and our Founding Members are
right on time to usher in a new era of legitimacy for career influencers,
who are American small business owners and media innovators.”
The American Influencer Council launches
The American Influencer Council has stated that it is committed to
changing the narrative and advocating on behalf of both established and
emerging creators in the US and has set itself a five-step plan to develop
consensus-based industry solutions.
This includes ensuring consumer transparency by lobby the Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) to cooperatively adhere, promote and improve the
Endorsement Guidelines, as well as developing standardisation and
professional ethics by enhancing the co-branded content experience on
social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter,
YouTube, Snapchat, Pinterest, Twitch, GIPHY and Tumblr.
In addition, the trade association wants to develop the data science
being the influencer economy by researching and analysis and the
contributions of career influencers to the US GDP, while also provide the
intellectual capital to advance digital marketing education at the
university level and offer mentoring support for the next generation of
influencers.
The final point on its plan is to offer “public goodwill” by creating an
innovation lab, as well as hosting events to promote the influencer
trade.
As s steward of the influencer marketing industry, the American
Influencer Council is looking to “actively engaged” in a two-way dialogue
with the B2C/B2B brands, social media platforms, data/software companies
and legislatures to create opportunities, technology, research/tools and
regulations.
“Social media and influencers continue to reinvent the communication
landscape for businesses not only in the US, but globally,” added Chriselle
Lim, the founding chairwoman of AIC. “I am a personal brand and a product
developer managing two companies. Small businesses including creators are
an anchor of the US economy. The mission-critical work in motion at the AIC
is only going to strengthen and further legitimise the efforts of the
creator community in America. I’m honoured to chair this endeavour.”
As an invite-only, trade association, the American Influencer Council
will take up to 15 new members in 2020.
Image: courtesy of the American Influencer Council
