The Golden Pitch

How do today’s celebrities have the enormous power and influence to be able to push products and change minds? The dizzying proliferation of platforms, channels, and content formats in today’s digital world has fed a ravenous market for celebrity culture. Companies fork out billions each year to hire celebrities and influencers to endorse products, brands, political figures, and charitable causes—because the right celebrity endorsement is worth its weight in gold. In The Golden Pitch, Martha Laham reveals how celebrities leverage their fame to drive consumer choices and sway opinions, and how companies harness this star power to move products and engage audiences. Through a vivid array of historical and contemporary examples and stories, she delves into the history of celebrity, society’s fascination with fame, the use of influencer endorsements, the rise of the microcelebrity, and the future of fame and celebrity in the digital age. This in-depth look at the persuasive power of celebrities and influencers uncovers the roots of celebrity worship and illustrates the significant role that the media has played in fueling today’s celebrity culture. With a thoughtful consideration of the next stage in the evolution of celebrity and influence, The Golden Pitch also charts the future of fame and how it will influence brands, advertising, politics, and more in the years to come.