How much do celebrity endorsements actually influence election results?

From George Clooney to Katy Perry, A-list celebrity endorsements have become one of the hottest commodities in this year’s presidential race. But do celebrity endorsements actually matter? Celebrities can draw more people to events and rallies, help with fund-raising appeals, and create a buzz in the media. Celebrities with prior political activism, like Martin Sheen and George Clooney, are more likely to have a stronger influence. However, pundits and scholars argue that celebrity endorsements have no effect whatsoever when it comes to persuading voters one way or the other. If endorsements are unlikely to decide any one person’s vote, they may still be useful if applied strategically. says Joshua Goodman, VP of PR firm SKD Knickerbocker.