Tennis player Simona Halep is the most popular public person in Romania, according to the Influence Me study conducted by Starcom Mediavest Group in partnership with iVox. The ranking continues with TV host Andi Moisescu, singer Smiley, businessman and former tennis player Ion Tiriac, and singer Andra.

The study aimed to identify the key influencers in Romanians’ purchasing decisions, in five different areas: telecom, retail, financial, medical, and fashion. According to its findings, the actors, singers, athletes, businessmen, and radio and TV presenters are the best-suited categories of public persons to create a strong emotional bond between brands and the consumers, and to make the buyers try new products.

However, the brands should choose the public persons based on their field of activity, so that they are suitable for the business. For example, fashion designers and singers are in the best position to represent the image of malls and fashion stores. The most liked public persons in this category are designers Catalin Botezatu, Irina Schrotter, Doina Levintza, Ilinca Vandici, or Rita Muresan. Also, the most liked singers are Smiley, Andra, Delia, Horia Brenciu, Inna, Tudor Chirila, and Antonia.

Radio and TV hosts should represent the image of telecom brands, mainly due to their experience in the media. Among them, the most appreciated are Andi Moisescu, Teo Trandafir, Andreea Esca, Moise Guran, and Daniel Buzdugan.

Also, the vloggers and the bloggers should be the image of telecom products, as they are the first to test a new product, and they offer updated and consistent information. In Romania, the most appreciated bloggers are Tudor Chirila, Mihai Bendeac, Victor Ciutacu, and Adi Hadean.

Successful businessmen are the best suited to represent financial institutions. The most appreciated people in Romania are Ion Tiriac, Camelia Sucu, Dan Sucu, Dragos and Adrian Paval.

Due to their communication skills, writers should promote retail players. Romanians’ favorite writers are Mircea Cartarescu, Andrei Plesu, Gabriel and Aurora Liiceanu.

However, athletes could represent several brands and products, but without necessarily having a great impact on consumers. Tennis player Simona Halep in most appreciated athlete in Romania, followed by boxer Lucian Bute, gymnast Catalina Ponor, runner Gabriela Szabo, and gymnast Sandra Izbasa.

The study was conducted on a sample of more than 2,000 people, being representative for urban Romanians aged between 14 and 55.

Who are the most popular sports personalities in Romania?

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com