Brand influencers are a dime a dozen these days, but their appeal remains strong for marketers who wish to promote their product through “experiential” or “influencer” marketing.
But anywhere in the world right now, you will see companies and brands undertaking huge budget cuts because of the global economic standstill, and guess what’s among the first to go? Marketing budget, of course.
An Instagram influencer in Australia is calling foul over brands that have supposedly asked her to work for free or at a super discounted rate during this pandemic.
Jadé Tuncdoruk is a Sydney-based fashion influencer with more than 440,000 followers on Instagram. She recounted in her IG stories how these brands (which she did not name) dropped her after she refused the work.
“I’ve collaborated/worked with a few brands over time (a long time) who as of late have asked me to work for much, much less, or for free due to budget cuts—which I understand,” she shares. “However, when I’ve said no—which is in my opinion completely warranted—they have completely written off the relationship.”
Since news of her IG story came out, Tuncdoruk earned a lot of negative feedback from followers and bashers alike, but she stood her ground and posted her full explanation in her other Instagram account, @therealjadetunchy.
No one wants to work for free, obviously. And it certainly doesn’t help if brands try to seemingly “de-value” your worth by asking for lower rates. Everyone’s gotta hustle, especially during these uncertain times. We say let the influencer be—it’s up to her followers if she’s going to remain relevant, anyway.
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