This story was originally published on Passionfruit.
The Philadelphia influencer scene erupted in controversy recently after a popular local food blogger said she felt pressured by a public relations (PR) company to create content about a complimentary meal she did not like at a new restaurant.
The incident opened up a broader discussion about the relationship between influencers and PR companies. Some creators expressed that they shouldn’t feel pressured into making unpaid content that’s inauthentic or untrue to their experiences.
Last week, Philadelphia-based TikToker Brandon Edelman (@bran__flakezzz) was sent an early access copy of a Philadelphia magazine article about the city’s food influencers from his friend. While he wasn’t featured in the piece, he was struck by a blurb about an influencer who was taken off a PR agency’s events invitation list for not making content about a free meal she received.
