Kim Kardashian: A Global Influencer

By Sarah Purtill

In today’s world, it is easier and easier to stay connected with people who are halfway across the world. Social media and a globalizing economy have created new methods of business, trade and socialization resulting in vast amounts of communication and effecting global commerce. Like her or hate her, Kim Kardashian has capitalized on social media platforms and the globalizing economy.

Kim is known for two things: famous for doing nothing and infamous for a sex tape. But Kim has not let those things define her. With over 105 million Instagram followers and 57 million Twitter followers, Kim has become a major global influence. Kim has travelled around the world, utilizing the success she has had on social media to teach make-up master classes with professional make-up artist, Mario Dedivanovic. She owns or has licensed several different businesses including: an emoji app, a personal app, a gaming app, a cosmetics line, and a fragrance line. Not to be forgotten, the Kardashian family show, Keeping Up with the Kardashians has been on the air for ten years with Kim at the forefront. Kim also has three books: Kardashian Konfidential, Dollhouse, and Selfish.

With her rising social media following, Kim has used the platforms to show her support for politicians and causes, particularly, recognition of the Armenian genocide. Kim also recently spoke at the Forbes’ women’s summit. Following the summit, Kim tweeted out her support for a recent movement on Twitter, #freeCyntoiaBrown which advocated for a young woman who claimed to have shot and killed the man who held her captive as a teenage sex slave in self-defense. Kim had her own personal lawyers help out Cyntoia on her case.

Kim has also moved beyond advocating for issues within the confines of the United States. As mentioned earlier, she is known for advocating for recognition of the Armenian genocide. In the last two years, her show has made it a point to address the Armenian situation as it was then and as it is now.

Kim has been recognized as a global influencer by others outside the United States. Vladimir Putin’s press secretary Dmitri Peskov believes Kim and other celebrities have become the same as political leaders when it comes to influencing the public, stating “[t]he new reality creates a perfect opportunity for mass disturbances or for initiating mass support or mass disapproval.”

Although Kim is typically viewed for her significance to pop culture, Kim’s business and social media following have placed her deep into the mix of international commerce. As her businesses continue to grow and thrive, we may see more of her influence on international issues and an increase in the commerce from which her businesses benefit.

References

Kim Kardashian’s New Fragrance Just Made a Record-Breaking $10 Million In One Day

https://www.forbes.com/sites/deborahsweeney/2011/11/02/kim-kardashians-most-successful-business-ventures/#51a2dc835f41

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/putins-press-secretary-thinks-kim-kardashians-twitter-influence-new-age-power-1639519

http://fortune.com/2017/10/18/kardashian-family-business-lessons-kim-kylie-kris/

https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/this-is-the-kardashians-world-we-re-just-following-it-1.3323303

https://www.forbes.com/sites/michellefabio/2017/11/27/could-kim-kardashian-west-freecyntoiabrown-and-spark-a-social-media-justice-warrior-movement/#fb14fe672d3c

Kim Kardashian’s Twitter and Instagram Accounts