Crisis Communication in the Influencer Era: A Crisis Response Analysis of Poppi and Alani Nu
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Michelle Groover
Location
Russell Union Ballroom
Type of Research
Proposed
Session Format
Poster Presentation
College
College of Arts & Humanities
Department
Department of Communication Arts
Abstract
As social media continues to reshape modern public relations practice, beverage brands like Alani Nu and Poppi offer relevant examples of influencer-driven communication and crisis response. This honors thesis aims to compare and contrast these brands following two major crises: Poppi’s influencer vending machine campaign and health concerns and backlash with Alani Nu’s energy drinks. Despite the well-known prevalence of these brands, there is little scholarly research on Poppi and Alani Nu and their crisis communication. With guidance from the Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT), this study uses a combination of social and other media content analysis as well as qualitative survey data of Generation Z to determine how each brand is perceived following the crises. Each respective brand will be evaluated on how the crisis was handled and will be compared and contrasted regarding crisis response methods. Following this, the survey research will evaluate audience perceptions and attitudes towards each brand to better understand how crisis management shapes reputation. It is hypothesized that Generation Z will report more favorable perceptions of both brands when communication is viewed as authentic and when crisis responses are transparent.
Program Description
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Start Date
4-23-2026 2:00 PM
End Date
4-23-2026 4:00 PM
Recommended Citation
Staley, Meredith E., "Crisis Communication in the Influencer Era: A Crisis Response Analysis of Poppi and Alani Nu" (2026). GS4 Student Scholars Symposium. 208.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2026/2026/208
Crisis Communication in the Influencer Era: A Crisis Response Analysis of Poppi and Alani Nu
Russell Union Ballroom
As social media continues to reshape modern public relations practice, beverage brands like Alani Nu and Poppi offer relevant examples of influencer-driven communication and crisis response. This honors thesis aims to compare and contrast these brands following two major crises: Poppi’s influencer vending machine campaign and health concerns and backlash with Alani Nu’s energy drinks. Despite the well-known prevalence of these brands, there is little scholarly research on Poppi and Alani Nu and their crisis communication. With guidance from the Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT), this study uses a combination of social and other media content analysis as well as qualitative survey data of Generation Z to determine how each brand is perceived following the crises. Each respective brand will be evaluated on how the crisis was handled and will be compared and contrasted regarding crisis response methods. Following this, the survey research will evaluate audience perceptions and attitudes towards each brand to better understand how crisis management shapes reputation. It is hypothesized that Generation Z will report more favorable perceptions of both brands when communication is viewed as authentic and when crisis responses are transparent.
