{"id":66966,"date":"2025-06-18T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-06-18T07:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mashup-communications.de\/?p=66966"},"modified":"2025-06-23T10:39:26","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T08:39:26","slug":"ai-influencers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mashup-communications.de\/en\/2025\/06\/ai-influencers\/","title":{"rendered":"Digital icons: Are AI influencers revolutionising brand storytelling?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Creators who never age, never sleep and produce content around the clock. Target group-orientated, perfectly adapted to the brand messages and completely free of charge. Too good to be true? What sounds like an episode of Black Mirror is already part of very real campaigns. AI influencers have been with us for a long time, some for almost ten years. On Instagram, TikTok or LinkedIn, they tell stories, set fashion trends or represent entire brand worlds. And although they are made of bits and bytes instead of flesh and blood, their impact and reach is demonstrably real. Especially in the context of strategic brand communication, digital influencers open up new spaces for storytelling in which brands have to explore control, creativity and community in a new way.       <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mashup-communications.de\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/KI-Influencer-1024x682.png\" alt=\"Woman in bathrobe with towel around her head. Lying on the bed with sunglasses, eating pizza. AI influencer in brand storytelling  \" class=\"wp-image-66957\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mashup-communications.de\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/KI-Influencer-1024x682.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.mashup-communications.de\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/KI-Influencer-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/www.mashup-communications.de\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/KI-Influencer-768x511.png 768w, https:\/\/www.mashup-communications.de\/app\/uploads\/2025\/05\/KI-Influencer.png 1523w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What exactly are AI influencers &#8211; and why is everyone suddenly talking about them?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>AI influencers are computer-generated characters that act like human influencers on social platforms. Unlike animated avatars in games or films, they have a consistent personality, a visual aesthetic and often also their own biography. They post regularly, interact with followers and represent brands in sponsored posts. The first completely digital personalities have been successfully inspiring communities on Instagram since 2016 &#8211; almost ten years ago.    <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And the market continues to grow. Companies such as <em>Brud<\/em>, the NFT start-up <em>Dapper Labs<\/em> and the digital agency <em>The Clueless<\/em> are building entire business models around virtual personalities. For brands, this offers a highly controllable, scalable and emotionally connectable storytelling format.   Why?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why brands rely on AI influencers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The advantages for brand communication are manifold:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>High level of control<\/strong>: No unpredictable statements, no scandals &#8211; content and messages can be precisely controlled.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Creative freedom:<\/strong> AI characters can be anything &#8211; from science fiction characters to realistic street style icons.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Consistency: <\/strong>The visual appearance remains unchanged, regardless of mood, age or external factors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Addressing target groups:<\/strong> GenZ and millennials in particular respond openly to virtual personalities &#8211; provided they are presented in a credible way.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This sounds tempting for brands at first, but this is precisely where the crux of the matter lies: virtual creators quickly threaten to appear superficial, generic or even lifeless &#8211; speaking of <a href=\"https:\/\/de.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Uncanny_Valley\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Uncanny Valley<\/a> &#8211; especially if they are only used as a flawless content shell. Without narrative depth and genuine emotional connections, they can quickly be exposed as interchangeable marketing avatars.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>AI influencers work particularly well when they do not appear as \u2018mere advertising figures\u2019 but tell stories with substance. Ideally, they come with their own attitude, rough edges and corners. Authenticity therefore remains central, even or especially with digital personalities.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Find out how to make AI approachable with emotional storytelling <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mashup-communications.de\/en\/2023\/10\/storytelling-ki\/\">here<\/a>. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Brand storytelling enters the chat: how emotionless AI bots become charismatic influencers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Good storytelling thrives on consistent characters, emotional depth and the ability to translate complex brand values into stories that can be experienced. This is precisely where AI influencers (and the agencies behind them) play to their strengths. They are not only visually malleable, but also dramaturgically &#8211; their personalities, backstories and communication styles can be specifically adapted, developed and orchestrated. Over time, this creates a narrative network that can be seamlessly spanned across different channels and campaigns.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The best thing? Unlike traditional testimonials, AI influencers work like fictional characters in a series: they grow with their community, develop new facets and can serve as a projection screen for social issues &#8211; whether mental health, diversity or sustainability. For brands, this means they not only create reach, but also genuine narrative added value. Stories and campaigns are created that go beyond mere advertising and touch consumers emotionally. This turns them into real carriers of brand purpose &#8211; staged with maximum creative freedom and without any will of their own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Find out <a href=\"\/en\/?p=66904\">here<\/a> how AI can also be used successfully in classic storytelling campaigns.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Three AI influencers that successfully showcase brands<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1st Lil Miquela &#8211; The pioneer among AI influencers<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Lil Miquela is one of the first and most successful AI influencers in the world. She first appeared on Instagram back in 2016 &#8211; developed by the startup Brud in Los Angeles. Since then, she has become an integral part of pop culture: with over 2.7 million followers, campaigns for Prada, Calvin Klein and Apple and her own music career, she is one of the most successful virtual personalities in the world.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned=\"\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DImPcLNTPxS\/?utm_source=ig_embed&#038;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\"  background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DImPcLNTPxS\/?utm_source=ig_embed&#038;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\"  background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <div style=\"  display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\"  background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"  background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewbox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\"  color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">Check out this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\"  background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"  width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\"  width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"  background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"  width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\"  background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"  background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\"  color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DImPcLNTPxS\/?utm_source=ig_embed&#038;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\"  color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by Miquela (@lilmiquela)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<script async=\"\" src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>What makes her so special is not so much her flawless appearance, but her complex, deliberately staged identity: half human, half robot, with opinions on social issues, her own conflicts and a real development over the years. From a storytelling point of view, she is brilliantly staged. Miquela is an ongoing narrative, a living brand persona with attitude. Instead of simply placing content, brands can use her to become part of a multi-layered story and thus build deeper, emotionally charged connections with the community.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What characterises Lil Miquela:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Clearly positioned identity (transparent as an AI influencer) with political and social statements.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>High recognition value, strong community loyalty.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Brand collaborations that are embedded in credible storytelling.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Lil Miquela proves that virtual personalities can be perceived as real opinion leaders &#8211; if they show attitude and continue to develop consistently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2 Aitana Lopez &#8211; The pink fitness icon from nowhere<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>Aitana L\u00f3pez looks like a real model and earns thousands of euros a month as a virtual influencer with brand collaborations in fashion, fitness and gaming. The Spanish AI personality with the Instagram name @fit_aitana was created by The Clueless agency in response to rising fees and the unreliability of influencer partnerships.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned=\"\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DJ9kAPnMpqC\/?utm_source=ig_embed&#038;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\"  background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DJ9kAPnMpqC\/?utm_source=ig_embed&#038;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\"  background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <div style=\"  display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\"  background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"  background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewbox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\"  color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\"  background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"  width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\"  width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"  background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"  width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\"  background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"  background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\"  color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DJ9kAPnMpqC\/?utm_source=ig_embed&#038;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\"  color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by Aitana Lopez\u2728| Virtual Soul (@fit_aitana)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<script async=\"\" src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>Aitana is a prime example of how artificial characters with strong storytelling can become credible brand ambassadors. She embodies self-love, mental health and empowerment. This resonates with her mainly female, rather young community and offers brands a perfectly curated platform to showcase their values in a long-term and dramaturgically charged way.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What characterises Aitana Lopez:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Self-confident demeanour, strong attitude towards mental health and self-empowerment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Content with emotional depth that creates approachability &#8211; even though it is fictional.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enormous reach on Instagram with a clearly defined community.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Aitana shows how virtual influencing can go far beyond pure product placement by engaging its community with value-based communication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3 Lucy from XXXLutz &#8211; The virtual testimonial with a knack for interior design<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n<p>With the AI influencer Lucy, XXXLutz has added a virtual testimonial to its campaign world that perfectly matches the brand aesthetic. Developed by Jung von Matt, Lucy embodies the furniture retailer&#8217;s understanding of design and digital innovation and acts as a link to the younger target group on social media.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" data-instgrm-captioned=\"\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DJjlvrEJX_g\/?utm_source=ig_embed&#038;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\"  background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\"><div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DJjlvrEJX_g\/?utm_source=ig_embed&#038;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\"  background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <div style=\"  display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\"> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\"> <div style=\"  background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"  background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;\"><svg xmlns=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"https:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" width=\"50px\" height=\"50px\" viewbox=\"0 0 60 60\" version=\"1.1\"><g stroke=\"none\" stroke-width=\"1\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\"><g transform=\"translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)\" fill=\"#000000\"><g><path d=\"M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631\"><\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div><div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\"> <div style=\"  color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">Check out this post on Instagram<\/div><\/div><div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\"><div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\"> <div style=\"  background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"  width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div><\/div><div style=\"margin-left: auto;\"> <div style=\"  width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"  background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div> <div style=\"  width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div><\/div><\/div> <div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\"> <div style=\"  background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div> <div style=\"  background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div><\/div><\/a><p style=\"  color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/DJjlvrEJX_g\/?utm_source=ig_embed&#038;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\"  color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by Lucy Heimfeld \u2728 (@lucy_homefield)<\/a><\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n<script async=\"\" src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<p>The highlight from a storytelling perspective: Lucy is not a classic advertising medium, but a staged brand character with the potential for long-term narration. Her digital identity allows XXXLutz to tell its own stories beyond real people &#8211; consistent, stylised and entirely in the spirit of a brand-strategy-driven hero&#8217;s journey in the furniture universe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What characterises Lucy:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>First German AI influencer for a brand. This takes brand storytelling to a new level <\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Integrated into XXXLutz advertising campaigns, but also active on TikTok and Instagram.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Positions itself as a modern, design-savvy figure with a high lifestyle factor.<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>XXXLutz takes brand storytelling and social media marketing to the next level with Lucy. The AI influencer conveys the brand values of XXXLutz and is perfectly staged at all times, consistent in her message and ready for any platform. Better than a human cooperation partner ever could.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The elephant in the room: will AI influencers soon replace real people? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The answer is complex. They do not necessarily compete &#8211; but they do fulfil certain functions. Particularly in scenarios where maximum control, international scaling or target group staging are required, they offer advantages that human creators find difficult to replicate. However, truly lively brand communication is often created through interaction when AI influencers and real personalities become part of a larger narrative together.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion: Not hype, but an opportunity for sustainable storytelling<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Virtual influencers are far more than just a digital marketing gimmick. They are here to stay. As a serious tool for brands that want to communicate with new target groups, explore creative freedom and take their storytelling to the next level. In order to be successful, a balancing act is required: how do you use AI influencers not as a substitute, but as a strategically sensible extension of the brand storytelling universe? The prerequisites are clear strategic embedding, technical quality and narrative depth. Because regardless of whether it&#8217;s a real person or a virtual fictional character, only those who tell real stories and arouse real emotions will remain relevant for their community.     <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>If you want to find out more about how we deal with the topic of AI at Mashup, you can find our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mashup-communications.de\/en\/ai-principles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">principles<\/a> here.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Creators who never age, never sleep and produce content around the clock. Target group-orientated, perfectly adapted to the brand messages and completely free of charge. Too good to be true? What sounds like an episode of Black Mirror is already part of very real campaigns. AI influencers have been with us for a long time, some for almost ten years. On Instagram, TikTok or LinkedIn, they tell stories, set fashion trends or represent entire brand worlds. And although they are made of bits and bytes instead of flesh and blood, their impact and reach is demonstrably real. Especially in the context of strategic brand communication, digital influencers open up new spaces for storytelling in which brands have to explore control, creativity and community in a new way.       <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":27,"featured_media":66933,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[226,16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-66966","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ai","category-brand-storytelling"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mashup-communications.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66966","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mashup-communications.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mashup-communications.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mashup-communications.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/27"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mashup-communications.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=66966"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.mashup-communications.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66966\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":67193,"href":"https:\/\/www.mashup-communications.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/66966\/revisions\/67193"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mashup-communications.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/66933"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mashup-communications.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=66966"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mashup-communications.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=66966"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mashup-communications.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=66966"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}