How much does the Winter Love Island cast earn from Instagram campaigns?
ITVs reality television juggernaut Love Island made its long-awaited return this week, and it has now been revealed how much the Winter Love Island cast earn from Instagram. In January 2020, capitalising on the phenomenal success of the fifth series of Love Island, Winter Love Island was shot in a villa in South Africa. Although the series failed to capture fans in the same way as its summer counterpart, viewers still tuned in in their droves, eventually voting to crown Paige Turley and Finn Tapp as winners. CRO agency LoveUX has carried out research to determine precisely how much the cast members of Winter Love Island have made from Instagram ads since the series concluded in February 2020. The research updated projected earnings for each star every month between March 2020 and June 2021 to account for changes in follower counts and engagement rates, factors that influence the amount a social media aficionado can earn from online advertising. Molly Smith was by far and away the highest earner, as the model raked in some 514,227 from 191 Instagram ads posted over the last 15 months. While Shaughna Phillips is currently in second place, having earned 395,643 from 109 sponsored Instagram posts, her social media stardom is set to skyrocket over the coming months as she appears on reality shows such as Dancing on Ice. Luke Mabbott, who is signed to the same talent agency as Molly (Force 1 Management), comes in third place, having earned 387,355 from 141 Instagram ads. Completing the top five Instagram earners are Demi Jones, who earned 302,484 from 115 ads, and Finley Tapp, who earned 235,000 from 69 sponsored posts. Other cast members to make the top 10 list include Siannise Fudge, who earned 231,522 from 55 ads; Sophie Piper, who earned 200,075 from 74 ads; Jess Gale, who earned 180,300 from 70 ads; Paige Turley, who earned 160,517 from 38 ads; and Eve Gale, who earned 108,174 from 57 ads. However, Siannise comes out on top in terms of the cast member who makes the most money per ad, as the Bristol woman can charge upwards of 4,000 for each sponsored post. Paige, Shaughna, Finn and Luke Trotman are also in a position to charge higher rates in order to promote products and brands online. Speaking about the research, Head of Paid Social at LoveUX Justine Gribbin stated: The beauty of Instagram for Love Islanders is that it is an image-led app, with fast ways to increase exposure and build a loyal audience. The content is simple to produce  especially with new editing software available on smartphones. With a click of a button your ad is ready to go directly in front of an audience of millions.  Ms Gribbin continued: For brands, Love Islanders can be a great way of reaching a new audience by capitalising on their newfound fame. The key for them is to find the contestants that come across as a natural fit with their brand so that sponsored posts are viewed as organic endorsements rather than transparent paid promotions. As a result of being a part of a daily schedule for eight straight weeks, they normally leave the villa with a very loyal and engaged audience, which for brands is exactly their type on paper.