The Influencer Industry

“A penetrating, well-considered look behind the polished scenes of the influencer industry.” —Kirkus

Drawing on a decade of research and dozens of in-depth interviews with leading influencers, brand executives, marketers, talent managers, trend forecasters, and others, Emily Hund tells the story of how digital creators scrambling for work amid the Great Recession gave rise to the multibillion-dollar industry that has fundamentally reshaped culture, the flow of information, and the way we relate to each other and ourselves.

Emily Hund, PhD, is the author of the book, The Influencer Industry: The Quest for Authenticity on Social Media (Princeton University Press, 2023), and a research affiliate at the Center on Digital Culture and Society at the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg School for Communication. She writes, speaks, and consults on topics related to influencers, the reshaping of cultural industries, and the digital labor force.
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She received her PhD from the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School for Communication. Before her research career, she worked as a magazine writer and social media editor, and earned degrees in journalism and sociology from Penn State University.

CONSULTING

I am committed to bringing about an ethical, prosocial future for our influencer-shaped world.

I consult with companies, universities, and nonprofit and government organizations looking to better understand the dynamics of the influencer industry.

Please contact me directly to discuss your needs and how I can help.

SPEAKING

For inquiries, contact Katie Stileman.

I regularly speak with audiences of all kinds about the influencer industry. 

RESEARCH

My academic research has been published in journals such as the International Journal of Communication, Social Media + Society, and Communication, Culture & Critique.

A full CV is available here, and publications are available on Google Scholar or by email.

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