The Rhetoric Of Celebrity Endorsement Strategy And Consumer Purchase Intention On Fast Moving Consumer Goods Among Al-Hikmah University Undergraduate Students

Abstract

The ultimate goal of any business organization is to be prosperous in today’s increasingly competitive and dynamic markets where the cost of acquiring new customers has been found to be exponentially greater than that of maintaining existing ones, firms must continually explore ways of achieving higher customer retention rates. The building of a reputable brand image in the mind of the consumers is especially enhanced through the use of endorsers or spokespersons in the firm’s marketing communications; and celebrities are among the persons commonly used as endorsers or spokespersons in this regard. The main objective of this study was to examine the impact of celebrity endorsement on consumer purchase intention of consumer goods. Primary data through a structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from University undergraduate students. Hypothesis were tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Co-efficient (PPMCC) and Multiple Regression Analysis. Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that there are factors that significantly influences consumer purchase intention of celebrity endorsed products. Also, there is significant relationship between celebrity endorsement and consumer purchase intention. Similarly, celebrity endorsements significantly impact consumer purchase intention. It was therefore recommended that the strategy and creative execution of all celebrity endorsement deals should be one that will reinforce strongly and consistently the celebrity brand association to ensure that celebrities do not only evoke positive retains, but helps focus attention on the brand in the advertising. Keywords: celebrity endorsement, strategy, brand equity, consumer goods, purchase intention.