When most people think of the Fyre Festival, they think of a huge failure, but in one key way it was actually an astounding success - the marketing. We’ll dig into the approach, what worked, what didn't, and whether or not influencers deserve the credit (or blame). We’ll also take a look at some other brands, accustomed to television and direct response, that were entirely unprepared for the level of success they saw with influencers, and how savvy marketers can prepare for the same “problem”.

1. The
Devastating
Success
of Fire Festival
@peteborum

3. Some time later…

5. Oh…you meant THAT
Fyre Festival
(my bad)

6. The
Devastating
Success
of Fyre Festival
@peteborum

7. Let’s see a show of hands...

8. Fyre Festival was a
disaster.
Fyre Festival was a
success.

9. Can We Agree To Disagree?

10. Anyone who can get the
Rich Kids of Instagram…

12. To spend a few days in a
FEMA camp…

14. Deserves at least SOME
credit for their powers of
persuasion

15. …though not for follow-
through or dependability

16. Let’s Disagree Some More

17. The dress is blue. The dress is yellow.

18. Chocolate ice cream
is better.
Vanilla ice cream is
better.

19. Influencers are one of
the top 3 ways to
market my brand or
products.
Influencers are not
one of the top 3 ways
to market my brand or
products.

20. Working with
influencers is an
enjoyable and
positive experience.
Working with
influencers is a
painful and negative
experience.

21. Fyre Festival was the
organizers’ fault.
Fyre Festival was the
influencers’ fault.

22. The influencers for
Fyre Festival deserve
credit.
The influencers for
Fyre Festival deserve
blame.

23. It’s irresponsible to
work with
influencers if you
and your product
and process aren’t
ready for them to
succeed.
Working with
influencers before
the product and
process are finalized
can make you better
and help avoid
missteps.

24. It’s the influencer’s
job to make sure their
content fits my offer.
It’s my job to make
sure my offer fits the
influencer’s content.

25. Influencers should
adapt to my existing
‘buyer’s journey’
I should should
create a ‘buyer’s
journey’ for
influencers

26. This was the best
presentation ever.
This was the worst
presentation ever.

27. Thanks. Pete Borum
Co-founder & CEO at Reelio,
Programmatic Influencer
Marketing Platform for
Enterprises
@peteborum
pete@reelio.com