In an era of super-fandom, the question is not whether to stan or not to stan, but whom to stan, and for how long. The intensity of fan devotion in the digital age is creating new opportunities for brands to activate hyper engaged communities – just don’t get on their bad side.
Marianne Eloise is a journalist and commentator on neurodivergent issues. She has written for publications including The Cut, The New York Times, Courier, Dazed, Vulture, i-D, The Guardian, and Mic.
Matt Klein is a cultural theorist, cyberpsychologist, and marketing strategist, analysing social shifts and the psychosocial implications of our technology. Working alongside brands, TV producers, non-profits, and government agencies, Klein is a trusted source in identifying cultural change and developing future-proofed business strategies. As an award-winning writer and frequent commenter, his observations have been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, Forbes, WARC, The Verge, CNBC, and Adweek.
Róisín Lanigan is a writer and editor based in London and Belfast. She works at i-D and has written for The Face, Vice, New Statesman, The Atlantic, NYMag, and Prospect, among other publications.
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A growing awareness of fake news and the proliferation of sponsored posts on social media has seen the trustworthiness and authenticity of online influencers come into question. How are established experts, nano-influencers, and CGI characters rebuilding confidence and digital relevance?