Opinion leadership is a concept that arose out of the theory of two-step flow of communication propounded by Paul Lazarsfeld and Elihu Katz. This theory is one of several models that try to explain the diffusion of innovations, ideas, or commercial products. The opinion leader is the agent who is an active media user and who interprets the meaning of media messages or content for lower-end media users. Typically the opinion leader is held in high esteem by those that accept their opinions. Opinion leadership tends to be subject specific, that is, a person that is an opinion leader in one field may be a follower in another field. An example of an opinion leader in the field of computer technology, might be a neigbourhood computer service technician. The technician has access to far more information on this topic than the average consumer and has the requisite background to understand the information.

See also

• Diffusion of innovations
• two-step flow of communication

External references

• CIA Advertising article
• Universiteit Twente article