Influencer – n : marketing term; an organization, individual or institution that influences the buying behavior of customers. Examples include industry consultants, the trade press, business or popular media, trade shows, and professional societies and conferences.

Example: Although dermatologists do not prescribe ABC Pharmaceutical Co.’s over-the-counter skin ointment, ABC focuses considerable marketing effort on dermatologists and their professional society, the American College of Dermatology, since ABC considers skin doctors to be powerful influencers of their patients’ decisions about whether to use skin ointments, and, through their recommendations, specifically which brands to purchase.

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Adapted from "The CompanyCrafters Entrepreneur's Dictionary"
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