The Power Of Kim
No one could have predicted ten years ago that Paris Hilton’s assistant, with appearances here and there on The Simple Life, would come to be one of the world’s biggest superstars today. One half of the power couple deemed #WorldsMostTalkedAboutCouple by Vogue and one part of the Kardashian/Jenner clan, everything the celebrity touches seems to turn to gold.
No matter your thoughts on the family, they have cemented themselves as a fixture in pop culture. As marketers, we'd be remiss not to explore how to best market our brands like the Kardashian/Jenner clan. In this blog, Hollywood Branded dives into the Kardashians' marketing tactics and how marketers can follow suit.
The Kardashian Empire
And her sisters are no different. The Kardashian Empire has grown significantly, from the reality show to endorsement deals of all types, to clothing and makeup lines officially creating the Kardashian Celebrity Brand. Merely being associated with the famous family can hold the promise of tapping into the extremely loyal following they have cultivated over the past decade.
Though the Kardashian haters could argue they are worthless and riding out a wave that will eventually die out, here are six things to learn from the Kardashian PR machine...
1. Know Your Audience
No matter what your brand objectives, you absolutely must know the individual you are hoping to capture through and through. What are their habits? What are their needs and wants? Though not an easy task and one that can require a bit of research, it is perhaps the most important step. This must be established beforehand in order to plan your content and the platforms on which you’ll promote it.
The Kardashians have built up a fan base of predominate females age 18 to 34 who thoroughly enjoy “Keeping Up” with the family and there is definitely an aspirational aspect – fans are interested in the behind-the-scenes and day-in-the-lives lavish lives of Kim and her sisters. These fans want to use the products they use, wear the clothes and makeup they wear and do anything they can to be just like them.
2. Turn Personal Brands Into Businesses
Because of the demographic that they have captured and the relationship they have with their fans, the Kardashians have been able to turn their lives into extremely successful business ventures. By finding relevance in what their followers want, and the products they love and use, they have been able to monetize several branches of their own brands based on their personal interests.
All of the sisters are known to be avid fashionistas, so developing their own clothing line seemed a natural move. But while the sisters are typically dressed head to toe in custom designer clothing, they were smart to make their own line available at Sears – accessible to the masses and at affordable prices. They have since released numerous other lines, including their own affordable makeup collections, shapewear and tights line, and a childrens' clothing line available at Babies R’ Us.
3. Tap Into What's Hot
Most recently to add to the Kardashian’s long line of commercial success, Kim has developed her own mobile game app, which has been a brilliant move for a number of reasons.
With Americans spending so much time on their devices, it is no surprise that mobile-ad spending has been on the rise, and is predicted to encroach upon the shares of its traditional competitors – TV, print, radio, etc. But with brands and advertisers a bit unsure of its effectiveness in actually engaging consumers, advertisers are saying that gaming apps actually create more sales than display ads. Translation: Gaming apps and advertising on the platform are on an upward swing.
Secondly, the concept of the game itself is that Kim guides the gamer through multiple levels with the objective of reaching A-List status. Though having just launched a few months ago, the game is currently number 1 on the iTunes free app chart with a 5-star rating. Kim, who has nearly a 50 percent stake in the game, will take home about $85 million of the $200 million it has brought in according to Forbes.
4. Promote Your Content Across Various Platforms
From momager, Kris Jenner, to each of her Kardashian/Jenner daughters, each family member is extremely active across multiple social platforms. From photoshoots, events, outings with celebrity friends, even sneak peek clips from Keeping Up with the Kardashians, these behind-the-scenes moments can be seen on Instagram, WhoSay, Keek, Instagram, and Facebook.
Photo Credit: The Mirror
5. Network And Collaborate
On the various platforms, the Kardashians are not shy about showing off their fellow famous peers, fashion mogul friends, and celebrity love interests. By building these relationships and branching out to other celebrities who have substantial followings in their own right, they extend their reach even further.
6. Connect With Your Consumers
The relationship that the Kardashians have with their fans is what has been the foundation of their success. Despite the fact that each of the sisters has encountered her own fair share of speculation or criticism in the media for one reason or another – the sex tape, dating rumors, divorces, marrying and remarrying, underage drinking – through its flaws, the Kardashians continues to remain relatable to its followers. And at the end of the day, seem to put family first.
Whether you’re a lover or a hater, there’s no denying that the Kardashian marketing strategies are working, as the celebrity family has become not just a commercial, but a cultural force to be reckoned with.
Want To Work With Celebrities?
Learn more about the Celebrity Brand - read about how separation rumors can affect associated brands, and download our infographic to understand the importance of creating a safety net.
Want to learn more about celebrity partnerships? Look no further than our blog! Dive deep into all things celebrity with these blogs below:
- Top 10 Celebrity Endorsements
- Year In Rewind: The Best Celebrity Brand Collabs of 2020-2021
- Top Celebrity Beverage Endorsements
- How To #5: Celebrity Swag Bag Gifting
- How To #2: 8 Steps To Inviting A Celebrity To Your Event, Without Breaking The Bank
Are you interested in learning how to successfully partner celebrities to your brand - without spending a million? Watch this short webinar to learn Hollywood insider tricks to create and kick start an entertainment marketing campaign that is the perfect extension for your social media program.
