Your Local Campus Influencer

Brands are now turning to students to market their latest products

The Poppi event at Champs Downtown for their Major Flavor College Tour

Brands are setting new standards for marketing. What once relied on print ads and big-name influencer deals has now shifted toward everyday college students promoting products on campus.

“Brand ambassadors” have become increasingly common across universities. Anyone can now receive products — or even payment — just for posting a TikTok or Instagram story that features a brand. It’s a mutually beneficial setup: brands save money by avoiding expensive influencer partnerships while gaining a strong presence among 18–22-year-olds, and college students get free products, networking opportunities, and a little extra income.

This new marketing strategy doesn’t just help brands reach students — it allows them to connect with them. Peer-to-peer influence has proven to be far more authentic than traditional advertising. Students trust other students, and when they see a classmate wearing or using a brand, it feels more real than a celebrity endorsement ever could.

In an article by Social Ladder, the company highlights why college ambassadors have become so valuable. They cite Referral Rock, noting that college ambassadors play a crucial role in referral marketing. In fact, referral marketing can boost conversion rates by 5–25%, making it a powerful tool for brands seeking to connect with the college demographic.

Creating a strong brand presence on campus isn’t just a trend — it’s the future of marketing.