The Future of Celebrity Fan-Engagement

Caleb Franklin Apr 25, 2022

It's an age-old cycle wherein the fans and celebrities share a strong connection and certainly consider being one of the most powerful weapons for increasing appeal over time. With each passing year, new techniques emerge to deepen the connection and catch the interests of planners, seeking to extract revenue and distribute it to its numerous shareholders. Whether it's the media, the rise of the paparazzi, or social media, these tools have had a greater impact on the fan base and provided an opportunity to see something bigger with each breakthrough. With the constant reputation building and experimenting with ideology, these tools have grown effective in establishing the mind-set of the fan world.

As a result of the popularity of fan engagement, several planners have invested in developing a concrete platform to give an immersive experience with a captivating environment. Today, the engagement can be seen as a form of gift to loved ones on any social occasion or as the highlight of any company launch. As a result, the platform received much-needed visibility and traction, culminating in a lucrative business.

Gone are the days when fans waited for newspapers or news pieces to read the latest information about their favourite celebrities. The emerging social media channels like Instagram have channelised the gap, feeding it with exclusivity. However, the medium is only a form of one-way communication, where views and requests from the fans get piled up and eventually lost in the track. The market has noticed the fan base that celebrates or worships in the form of idols. The growing industry has hereby witnessed the craze, and that's how the fan engagement has taken place to ramp up the needs of the fans and provide the celebrities with an opportunity to maximise their fan base. In a way, it generates a high-generating revenue model and also satisfies the urges of fans, and enhances the reputation of the celebrity. However, the world has taken a spin right after the pandemic strike, which made marketers and brand builders think differently and provides a striking weapon to garner stability in the digitally run world. The rapid penetration of the internet has created a quiet impression. The rise of digital currencies and assets has been actively engaging and we are led to the question, "What is next?"

The next leading space

With the rise of VR-based platforms, there are many interventions to entice the entire phenomenon. We are well versed in how VR has taken a dig at the digital game sphere. But with each passing day, the same has been implemented across genres and so in the sphere of entertainment. According to a report by Statista, virtual running events are more effective at a rate of 40%. Hereby, the power of virtual reality-driven content has taken the front seat in the whole global industry. Many eminent celebrities have started investing in such trends as businesses integrate blockchain technology into their designed modules and intellectual properties. Renowned celebrities like Amitabh Bachan and Lionel Messi have invested in NFTs to create a strong base. With the help of VR-driven events and NFTs, the audience today will be able to interact directly, leading to a fulfilling experience. These will satisfy the fan base and prevent them from returning heartbroken rather than waiting in a long queue in exchange for an autograph or a picture.

The emergence of a new fan base

With the introduction of NFTs, brands have received a platform for a top-notch experience that provides a long-term effect, opening doors for multiple collaborations. One such example is the Messiverse, where renowned soccer player Lionel Messi has invested in NFT. The Messiverse, designed by Australian artist Bosslogic, consists of exclusive crypto artworks that Messi has achieved and rejoices over time. Later, this was put on sale, which created a massive revenue generation and allowed fans to own this exclusive piece, creating a chance to rejoin in the moment of those triumphs. With this massive visibility and victory, marketers are now focused on building similar roadmaps as they promise immense potential.

Today, metaverse NFT has created over a thousand members on this channel with a constant, consistent stream of news, updates, and discussions. Certainly how the world is witnessing two technologies (NFT and Blockchain) will change the landscape of interaction and communication, which will eventually turn out to be a big winner for celebrity-fan engagement platforms.

*The author is Caleb Franklin, CEO and Founder, Hey Hey Global