OK.
Using 10 year olds as testimonials is out of the question. If you are doing this your are at least two kinds of evil To use them as testimonals for both milk(tm) and chidrens surfbords - at the same time, then try to make the video have a self empowering message of women can do anything, if you just believe, just is the icing on top.
Next. What influencer marketing actually did, was to remove any quarrels that established mediasystems might have had towards "native advertising" (selling out), and pitched the every man into that situation, without them ever having thought about how to react, and so they usually are in for the ride, as long as money flows in.
We actually learned in journalism school, how to behave in those situation. Nowadays thats all but a joke, a distant memory - no one but established outlets is taking that seriously.
Now - despite what you actually think, I dont have a bad grudge with advertising, Im bringing to this thread - I just spelled out how attribution marketing works.
Brands are out to "score high recognition" in certain keyword categories, that are linked to emotions. People buy them, because they think a brand is situated, innovative, sustainable, intelligent, creative, adventurous, .. and so on. And they actually do so, because even though they dont go for that stuff in real life, buying those products will make them feel, like they strife, and even attained those attributes. Expensive watch, spots car - successful. Walking stick in hand, branded hiking backback - individual adventure seeker.
Brands on their side target those demographics by actually creating example customers, and then writing up individualized plans, to what aspect of their brand image will speak to a specific person in what stage of their life. Like Branda is an art loving free spirit, with two children that response well to security forward messaging, with and artful presentation. But they then not only go after what you are, but also after what you aspire to be. (But maybe never act on.)
So its perfectly fine, to find a Coca Cola owned brand on the hat of a Pro skater, because - while eating chips, and drinking monster, that individual actually feels, that they are connecting to a more active sport centered lifestyle. Put on your Nikes - and you practically have all the attributes, that your favorite sport personalities have. In your emotional perception.
Thats why you are buying them.
So the most important things, brands are looking for - are inspiring images they can connect to. Because that stuff that skater does, is actually why a consumer will buy their products.
This link is not a naive one, its entirely on purpose - and everyone in the business knows what they are doing.
If you want a "dont remind me that the world isn't as fluffy as the video testimonials I'm posting" outcome to your thread, I suggest you dont post videos where children get exploited.
The Monester hat, Nike shoes, white earphones, blood on concrete, aspirational - lets try again, hero or death video, thats as close to blood an honor imagery as Nike will allow - I've less of an issue with.
Also - if your entire industry is about geting bought out to play figureheads for brands - at least dont get pissy at someone mentioning that.
Also I really dont think, that thats something I have to work out, since thats a pretty much factual description of the actual environment those two videos on the first page were shot in.
Sorry - that I'm bringing up that context - but selling yourself out, so other people will buy products in your name - isnt as aspirational as many people might think. I know that we live in the age of instagram marketing, but I still dont think that all thats needed in that context is for me to shut up.
I didn't even trash the ad industry at first - I just indicated, that there is something "wrong" with those videos.
Now its getting to the point, where I simply want to win this argument, for the arguments sake.
Bad choice of video, thats all.
What did you think marketing was? Handing out money to great people?