The panelists shared 5 tips to ensure success:
- Find the right fit with an influencer and allow him or her the creative freedom to authentically represent the brand.
- Build strong, community-level connections, and allow diverse voices to represent the brand.
- Empower local franchisees and unit-level employees to voice their opinions over social media, since they are the ones closest to the communities they serve.
- Leverage mascots, events, and social media activations to generate excitement and engagement.
- Develop strategic partnerships with larger brands to raise visibility and credibility, while remembering that the fit must be authentic, too.