YouTuber Colleen Ballinger is someone many brands might not want acting as a spokesperson for their products.
Why Affiliate Marketing Programs Can Be A PR Nightmare For Some Brands
Last year, former fans accused Ballinger, who is most known for the character she plays online named Miranda Sings, of “grooming” and interacting with her minor fans in inappropriate ways.
Why Affiliate Marketing Programs Can Be A PR Nightmare For Some Brands
After taking five months off, she is back posting on social media.
Why Affiliate Marketing Programs Can Be A PR Nightmare For Some Brands
Though Ballinger lost some sponsorship deals and ended her podcast with cohost Trisha Paytas at the peak of the controversy, she’s been able to make money since resuming posting on YouTube and TikTok.
Why Affiliate Marketing Programs Can Be A PR Nightmare For Some Brands
In particular, Ballinger has remained part of YouTube’s partner program, which allows her to make money off the ads in her videos and use YouTube’s product tagging and affiliate marketing tools. Generally, YouTube only removes creators from its partner program for harassment, hate speech, and breaking other community guidelines. Ballinger hasn’t crossed those lines.
Why Affiliate Marketing Programs Can Be A PR Nightmare For Some Brands
But that doesn’t mean brands are thrilled to have their products associated with Ballinger, and it’s caused a headache for at least one company.
Why Affiliate Marketing Programs Can Be A PR Nightmare For Some Brands
Last month, Ballinger promoted the cookie dough brand Sweet Loren’s in a vlog and used YouTube’s affiliate program — which allows creators to earn a commission on sales — to link to the product.
To the casual observer, it could look like Sweet Loren’s had hired Ballinger to promote its product. Former Ballinger fans even took to TikTok to discuss their outrage for what seemed like a sponsored post and tagged Sweet Loren’s, wondering why the brand seemed to be affiliated with Ballinger.
“I will not buy their product again,” one TikTok commenter declared.
The catch? Sweet Loren’s hadn’t actually hired Ballinger. She was linking to its product through an affiliate program.
“We were just…
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