Fighting Misinformation with Trust: How Associations Can Leverage Influencer Marketing

<p>In this episode of <em>The Association Insights Podcast powered by OnWrd &amp; UpWrd</em>, host Colleen Gallagher sits down with Candice Warltier, CEO &amp; Founding Partner of CS-Effect, to explore how associations can use trusted voices to combat misinformation, educate new audiences, and strengthen their credibility in an increasingly noisy digital landscape.</p><p>Drawing from CS-Effect&#39;s award-winning work with the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), Candice shares how a strategic influencer campaign helped counter myths about root canals by partnering with respected physicians, pediatricians, and healthcare content creators—not to promote products, but to deliver science-based education people could trust.</p><p>🎧 Whether you&#39;re leading communications, marketing, membership, or advocacy, this episode offers practical insights into how associations can thoughtfully incorporate influencer marketing to expand their reach, build trust, and engage the next generation.</p><p><strong>Key Highlights</strong></p><p><strong>Why Influencer Marketing Belongs in the Association Toolkit</strong>: Candice explains how member concerns about online misinformation sparked a campaign that reached audiences traditional communications couldn&#39;t.</p><p><strong>Trust Starts with the Right Voices</strong>: Learn why AAE intentionally partnered with physicians and healthcare educators outside dentistry—and how third-party credibility helped strengthen the campaign.</p><p><strong>The Vetting Process Matters</strong>: From audience engagement and brand alignment to years of past content, Candice shares the rigorous process associations should use before partnering with any content creator.</p><p><strong>Authenticity Beats Scripts:</strong> Discover why giving creators messaging guidance—not word-for-word scripts—results in content that feels genuine and resonates with audiences.</p><p><strong>Measuring Success Beyond Likes</strong>: The campaign generated thousands of saves and shares while driving users to AAE&#39;s educational resources and Find My Endodontist locator, proving meaningful engagement goes far beyond impressions.</p><p>🎧 Tune in for a practical conversation on building trust through credible voices, combating misinformation with confidence, and using influencer partnerships to help your association reach new audiences with authenticity.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Stay Connected: </strong>Subscribe to <em>The Association Insights Podcast po