With the rise of online platforms, marketing has taken on many new shapes. Brands now have more ways than ever to connect with their audiences. While some rely on the personal touch of event brand ambassadors, others employ influencers to engage massive online communities. The result is that the brand ambassador vs influencer debate continues to grow!

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Event brand ambassadors are people who use the brand they promote and remain loyal to it. Conversely, influencers may have never used the product before and will only do so for a short time.

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Both are known to deliver results and increase revenue. 

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This is why brands continue to forge partnerships to grow their businesses. According to a report by Statista, the expenditure on influencer advertising is expected to reach US$ 39.33bn by 2025. 

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Read on as we discuss brand ambassadors vs influencers and help you decide which one is best for you.

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Who are Event Brand Ambassadors?

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Event brand ambassadors are people who are brought on board to represent a company, product, or service at different live events. They interact with people during trade shows, conferences, or promotional activations. They work directly with customers, which is what makes them so successful. In fact, research shows that 77% of people trust brands more after face-to-face interactions at live events.

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The main idea behind hiring event brand ambassadors is to engage with attendees, create brand awareness, and leave a lasting impression on potential customers. This does wonders for any campaign, as according to a report, 80.4% of organisers say in-person events are the most impactful marketing channel.

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Event brand ambassadors can contribute in many ways.

• They convey the company’s values and messaging in a positive and engaging manner.
• At these events, they interact with the attendees, answering their questions, and providing product demonstrations.
• When needed, they collect customer information, encourage sign-ups, or drive conversions.
• Through their social media, they share event content on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or LinkedIn to expand reach.
• They allow attendees to experience the product first-hand, increasing interest and trust.

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Who are Influencers?

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Influencers are people with a strong online presence who can affect the opinions, purchasing decisions, and behaviours of their audience. 

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These content creators build trust through authentic content and typically engage with followers on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and LinkedIn. 

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According to a study, 45% of European Gen-Z customers are more willing to buy products endorsed by influencers, who come in many forms. 

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• They could be celebrities or public figures with massive reach (e.g., Cristiano Ronaldo, Kylie Jenner).  
• Others could be established content creators with authority in their niche (e.g., tech reviewers, fashion bloggers).  
• Some everyday users with small but loyal followings (e.g., local food bloggers, book reviewers) also help in marketing efforts.  

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Brands use influencers so they can

1. Increase brand awareness by making use of the influencer’s following.  
2. Build trust and credibility through authentic recommendations from these notable individuals.   
3. Drive sales and conversions through affiliate links, discount codes, or call-to-actions.  

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Main Differences: Brand Ambassadors vs. Influencers  

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Both types of marketing involve recommendations from trustworthy sources. However, there are many differences between the two.

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Platform: 

Event brand ambassadors usually participate in in-person and live events and promote the product face to face with the audience.

Influencers mostly do so via their social media accounts. Their content is available online and they interact with their audience virtually.

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Timeline: 

Companies create long-term partnerships with brand ambassadors. These individuals are familiar with and regularly use the products they have been hired to promote.  

On the other hand, influencers join the campaign for a short time and may not have any experience with the brand before the collaboration.

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Method of Promotion: 

Brand ambassadors will represent the product in live events, often giving away samples. They answer questions related to the product and engage the audience.

Influencers market the brand by creating digital content in the form of videos, posts and reviews that they share on different social media platforms.

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Sales: 

In-person sales purchasing is encouraged with the help of event brand ambassadors. Customers are more inclined to sign up for offers after the brand awareness is created by such marketing efforts. 

Influencer marketing has an impact on digital purchases through affiliate links, discount codes or even through sponsored posts.

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Advantages of Using Event Brand Ambassadors 

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Event brand ambassadors are the face of your brand. They will make your brand visible and help build trust.

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Here’s why hiring event brand ambassadors can be just what your brand needs:  

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• Brand ambassadors bring a human touch to your event. Customers will feel that your brand is more relatable and approachable. This will end up getting real conversations with attendees turning them into potential long-term customers.  

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• Knowledgeable ambassadors actively promote your business. They can share key messaging, and capture the attention of potential customers who might otherwise overlook your booth or activation.  

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• Their participation makes your event more memorable and interactive.  

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• People are more likely to trust recommendations from individuals rather than advertisements. A well-trained brand ambassador exudes confidence and enthusiasm about your products or services, making your brand more credible in the eyes of consumers.  

• Brand ambassadors often have strong personal networks, and their presence at your event can generate organic buzz. Many will document their experience through social media posts, live videos, and stories, increasing your brand’s reach and visibility beyond the event itself.  

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• Compared to traditional advertising methods, event brand ambassadors offer a high return on investment (ROI).   

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• Because brand ambassadors interact directly with your audience, they have firsthand knowledge of consumer preferences, feedback, and concerns. This can help your business refine its marketing strategy and improve future events.  

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• Whether you are hosting a small product demo or a large-scale brand activation, brand ambassadors offer flexibility. You can scale up or down based on your event size and goals. 

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Advantages of Partnering with Influencers

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Influencers have the power to build trust, increase brand awareness, and drive conversions. 

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Here is why partnering with influencers can be the right move for your brand:  

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• Influencers have built strong relationships with their audiences through genuine, relatable content. When they promote your product or service, it feels more like a recommendation from a friend rather than a traditional ad, making it more trustworthy and effective.  

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• They have dedicated followers who actively engage with their content. Partnering with them allows you to get in touch with an already-established community. This means there is a greater likelihood of engagement with your brand.    

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• Their posts, stories, and videos can introduce your products to potential customers who may not have discovered your brand otherwise.  

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• Compared to traditional advertising channels, influencer marketing can offer a high return on investment. Micro-influencers, in particular, provide affordable collaboration opportunities while delivering strong engagement and conversions.  

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• Influencer partnerships result in your brand getting more visibility on social platforms through likes, shares, comments, and discussions around your brand.  

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• Since influencers create content tailored to their niche, their audience is already interested in relevant products and services. This means influencer promotions can drive quality traffic to your website and lead to higher conversion rates.  

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When Should You Choose Event Brand Ambassadors or Influencers for your Event?  

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Both event brand ambassadors and influencers can boost brand awareness and engagement, but the best choice depends on your event type, marketing goals, and budget.  

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Choose event brand ambassadors if:

• You want face-to-face engagement and real-time interaction with attendees.  
• Your event is focused on product sampling or sign-ups.  
• You need brand loyalty from someone who consistently represents your company.  
• You want to gather consumer insights through direct conversations.  
• You aim to drive immediate, in-person conversions at your event.  

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Choose influencers if:  

• You want social media exposure before, during, and after your event.  
• Your goal is to attract a larger digital audience and boost online brand awareness.  
• You are promoting a product/service that is sold online rather than in person.  
• You want to make use of influencer credibility in a specific niche.  
• You are looking for long-term digital content that continues driving engagement beyond the event.  

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A Hybrid Approach:  

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For maximum impact, many brands combine both strategies. They hire event brand ambassadors for on-site engagement while they collaborate with influencers to increase reach through social media. 

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Final word

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Then are you ready to take your brand’s marketing strategy to the next level?

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Whether you need event brand ambassadors for on-the-ground engagement or influencers to expand your online presence, choosing the right approach is key. Start by identifying your goals and target audience, and build a plan for maximum impact.