Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About: Predicting Social Media Engagement, Peer Engagement From Favorite TV Character Perceived Personality Attributes

• In Event: Advances in Entertainment Media Research

Abstract

Through the lens of wishful identification, a mechanism through which viewers wish to be like or present themselves like a character, we seek to identify the attributes perceived to be possessed by a favorite character most responsible for social media and peer-to-peer engagement both during the show and at other times, as well as both online and offline. Though exploratory in nature, we hope to offer a theoretical explanation for why certain traits may be more influential in the context of engagement with social media and with peers about fictional characters. Practical applications for television producers and those looking to increase engagement through the use of social media and word of mouth are discussed.

Authors

• Heather Shoenberger, University of Oregon

• Freya Sukalla, Augsburg U

• Erika Katherine Johnson, University of Missouri