Written by Amrit Shanmuga Sundara Raja

Here’s something PR firms must keep in mind when they are about to work with influencers: Do they practice what they preach?

Unfortunately many don’t. The core of influencer relations is to work with influencers who can convey a message about how a particular product/service can improve the target audience’s lives. In reality, their pitches and promotions can leave you questioning.

Do they walk the talk? Do they promote for the sake of it? Are they genuinely impressed with the outcomes? Can they establish a sense of credibility through their pitches?

You might be wondering why I think like this. Ever since I started using Instagram, I have come across a lot of influencers who just promote products and services, but there are only some who are genuine, so filtering them out and finding the right person can be quite a challenge.

Who is an influencer? According to me, it is someone who has established credibility in a particular niche by having a considerably large audience as their target. They can persuade people to think or act in a particular way. So going by that logic, even cartoons are influencers, right?

Here’s why. 20 years ago, just like any other kid, even I was obsessed with cartoons because they make you think and act in a particular way.

Take Popeye, for example. As a child, I was obsessed with Popeye, especially when he ate spinach, gained a fresh burst of strength, and beat up Bluto. My mother used to feed me spinach by telling me that if I eat spinach, I can even become strong like Popeye. Just like a lot of kids, I even hated eating spinach, but surprisingly, thanks to watching a show like Popeye, I began to like spinach and ate it without much tantrums. The best part? Spinach is good for health and will have lasting positive effects on your body.

Surprisingly, many influencers we end up following will leave you questioning if they will not walk the talk, but a fictional character like Popeye and his actions like eating spinach and gaining strength will inspire you for a lifetime. So, in a world of influencers that do not preach what they stand by, you can be like your favourite cartoon characters like Popeye- always inspiring positive actions and thoughts for a better lifestyle. What’s your favourite cartoon character, and what are the most important takeaways? Think about it.