If a brand’s associated influencer becomes embroiled in controversy during a campaign, the following action plan may be employed:

1. Pause Campaigning: Immediately halt all campaign-related activities involving the influencer to prevent further association with the controversy.

2. Assess the Situation: Evaluate the extent and nature of the controversy. Is it a minor misunderstanding that can be cleared up quickly, or a major issue that could affect the brand’s reputation?

3. Communicate Internally and Externally: Keep your team, stakeholders, and audiences informed about the situation while maintaining respect for the influencer’s personal challenges.

4. Consult Legal Advice: Depending on the nature of the controversy, it may be necessary to consult legal advice.

5. Modify the Campaign: If the controversy isn’t severe, it may be possible to continue the campaign with modified content.

6. End the Partnership: If the influencer’s actions seriously conflict with the brand’s values, it may be prudent to end the partnership.

Influencer marketing platforms like Flinque can assist in managing such situations, offering analytics tools to gauge audience sentiment, functions to pause campaign activities, and features for discovering alternatives. Everything should be decided based on the brand’s principles, the nature of the controversy, and the relationship with the influencer. Making a responsible and informed decision helps in maintaining brand image and credibility while navigating such challenges.