In today’s digital era, marketing in the entertainment industry isn’t just about flashy billboards or commercials—it’s about tapping into the power of online fandoms. From Stan Twitter to TikTok fan edits, dedicated fan communities are playing a crucial role in shaping how movies, TV shows, and music are promoted. Entertainment companies are catching on, leveraging these passionate audiences to amplify their content in ways that feel authentic and organic. But how exactly does fandom-driven marketing work, and why is it so effective?
The Power of Fandoms
Fandoms are actively engaged communities that promote their favorite artists, shows, and franchises–all for free. Whether it’s through viral memes, streaming parties, or trending hashtags, fan bases generate massive online buzz that marketing teams can only dream of. Take Swifties or Barbz, for example—these fandoms have successfully organized global campaigns to break streaming records, influence award wins, and even cause Congress to take action. Their efforts go beyond casual support; they’re strategic, dedicated, and incredibly influential.
While I could talk about fandoms and the power they truly veil, I wanted to dive deeper into how entertainment companies are starting to leverage fandoms for their own good. By engaging directly with fan communities, brands develop a sense of loyalty that traditional advertising can’t replicate. The key? Authenticity. Fans can tell when a brand is forcing engagement versus when they genuinely understand the culture.
A Masterclass in Fandom Marketing
One company that executed this flawlessly is Lionsgate on TikTok. During the promo for The Hunger Games: A Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2023), fans dug out an old 2014 YouTube edit of Josh Hutcherson (who plays Peeta Mellark) to “Whistle” by Flo Rida and it went viral everywhere.
LionsGate caught wind of this viral sensation and had to jump on the trend. It made a TikTok of that photo and song and the fans were having a field day with it. Since then, Lionsgate’s TikTok has been posting edits of its movies that look like real fan edits. The fan engagement and interaction has only increased since then. WIth what could’ve been a boring forgotten company lost to the mass of social media accounts, Lionsgate took the opportunity to really connect with its audiences and stand out compared to other brands.
As companies lean toward hiring Gen Z interns to run its social media accounts, they should consider going beyond just that. Emerging into the culture of fandoms and embracing the way they run will overall benefit the connection between the industry and fans.
Natalia Pruklang 
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