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OPPO Kenya has addressed concerns raised by influencers regarding payments for their work on the Reno12 campaign. The company has issued a statement clarifying its role and outlining the steps it’s taking to address the situation.
Influencers engaged for the Reno12 campaign recently voiced complaints about delayed payments. OPPO Kenya acknowledged these concerns and explained that they partnered with AIfluence, an influencer marketing agency, to manage the campaign, including handling contracts and payments.
OPPO Kenya states that they fulfilled their financial obligations to AIfluence, disbursing both the initial 50% and the final 50% payment upon completion of the campaign deliverables.
As stated in their official statement on the issue, “Following our contractual agreement with AIfluence, OPPO Kenya made an initial 50% down payment to the agency to facilitate the influencers and remitted the final 50% payment upon completion of work, which was done on the 25th of October 2024.”
The core of the issue, as explained by OPPO Kenya, lies in the contractual agreements. The influencers signed contracts directly with AIfluence, not OPPO Kenya.
“It is important to note that all influencers in this campaign signed direct contracts with the agency and not OPPO Kenya,” the press release confirms. While this clarifies OPPO Kenya’s legal position, the company expressed empathy for the affected influencers and emphasized their commitment to resolving the situation. “However, we deeply empathize with the affected influencers,” the statement reads.
Despite the separate contractual agreements, OPPO Kenya has taken several steps to address the influencers’ concerns. They have offered legal assistance, including covering legal costs, to any influencer wishing to pursue legal action against AIfluence.
“OPPO Kenya has, however, offered legal assistance, including covering legal costs, to the affected influencers as they seek legal action against the agency for lack of compensation, of which none of them has taken up this offer,” the press release states.
Furthermore, OPPO Kenya has initiated legal action against AIfluence for defamation and brand harm. “Additionally, OPPO Kenya has taken legal action against AIfluence on grounds of defamation and brand harm caused by the agency’s failure to fulfill their payment obligation to the affected influencers,” the press release explains.
This action stems from AIfluence’s failure to fulfill its payment obligations to the influencers, which has negatively impacted OPPO Kenya’s reputation. “OPPO Kenya does not condone the current frustrations that the influencers engaged in the Reno12 series campaign are going through,” the company states.
OPPO Kenya’s response highlights the complexities of influencer marketing and the potential challenges that can arise even when working with established agencies. While the company fulfilled its contractual obligations to the agency, the subsequent payment issues faced by the influencers have prompted them to take both supportive and protective measures.
This situation serves as a reminder of the importance of clear contractual agreements, due diligence in agency selection, and proactive communication in influencer marketing campaigns.
