How to minimize your brand’s reputation risk with influencer marketing woes

Partnering with popular social media stars can boost your organization’s messages and give you many leads. However, it can also land you in a PR nightmare. Follow these insights to prepare.

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Ragan Insider Content

Influencer marketing is a hot trend, but it comes with large risks.

Popular YouTube star Logan Paul recently made waves after uploading a video that showed the body of a man who had committed suicide. Paul filmed the video inside Japan’s Aokigahara Forest, known as the “Suicide Forest” for the high number that occur within it.

Time reporter Yuri Kageyama reported:

Media reports say the video was viewed some 6 million times before being removed from Paul’s YouTube channel, a verified account with more than 15 million subscribers. Segments of the video were still appearing online Wednesday.

A storm of criticism followed, with commenters saying Paul seemed joking and disrespectful in the video and that his initial apology was inadequate.

On Tuesday, Paul issued an apology on YouTube, which he also tweeted:

So sorry. pic.twitter.com/JkYXzYsrLX

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