This document summarizes research on conceptualizing the influence of lead users and opinion leaders on accelerating the rate of innovation diffusion. The research aims to (1) evaluate how leading-edge opinion leaders influence diffusion rates, (2) measure their brand switching and price premium propensities, and (3) characterize this new adopter category. Through two studies, the researchers find that leading-edge opinion leaders are more likely than other groups to adopt radical innovations, spread positive word-of-mouth, and pay premium prices. This new hybrid category may help diffuse radical products faster than traditional models suggest.