VISUAL STORYTELLING AND CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT: A STRATEGIC MARKETING PERSPECTIVE ON DIGITAL MEDIA AND BRAND COMMUNICATION

Authors

  • Krishna Kumar T.P Professor and Head, Nehru School of Management, NCERC, Pamapadi, Thiruvilwamala, Thrissur, Kerala, India
  • Dhanya Nair Assistant Professor, Nehru School of Management, NCERC, Pamapadi, Thiruvilwamala, Thrissur, Kerala, India
  • Dr. Sarita Agarwal Assistant Professor, School of Business-MBA, Indira University, India
  • Dr. Kanaka Durga Hanumanthu Assistant Professor, KL Business School, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, India
  • Dr. Rajidi Rammohan Reddy Associate Professor, Trinity College of Engineering and Technology, Peddapalli, Telangana – 505172, India
  • Dr. Anitha G Associate Professor, Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Management Studies, New Delhi 110086, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v7.i3s.2026.7352

Keywords:

Visual Storytelling, Consumer Engagement, Digital Marketing, Brand Communication, Social Media

Abstract [English]

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, visual storytelling has emerged as a strategic tool for enhancing consumer engagement and brand communication. This study examines the impact of visual storytelling on consumer engagement and brand outcomes by proposing an integrated model linking storytelling, digital media characteristics, engagement, and brand performance. Using a quantitative approach, data were collected from active social media users through structured questionnaires. The findings indicate that visual storytelling significantly enhances cognitive, emotional, and behavioural engagement. In turn, consumer engagement positively influences brand image, brand loyalty, and perceived value, confirming its mediating role. Additionally, digital media characteristics such as interactivity and content format strengthen the effectiveness of storytelling. The results highlight that storytelling-driven visual content is more effective than traditional informational content in capturing attention and building meaningful brand relationships. The study contributes by providing a comprehensive framework and offers managerial insights emphasizing the use of emotion-driven narratives and interactive digital platforms for improved marketing effectiveness.

References

Alalwan, A. A. (2018). Investigating the Impact of Social Media Advertising Features on Customer Purchase Intention. International Journal of Information Management, 42, 65–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2018.06.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2018.06.001

Ashley, C., and Tuten, T. (2015). Creative Strategies in Social Media Marketing. Psychology and Marketing, 32(1), 15–27. https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.20761 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.20761

Berger, J., and Milkman, K. L. (2012). What Makes Online Content Viral? Journal of Marketing Research, 49(2), 192–205. https://doi.org/10.1509/jmr.10.0353 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1509/jmr.10.0353

Brodie, R. J., Hollebeek, L. D., Juric, B., and Ilic, A. (2011). Customer Engagement: Conceptual Domain and Research Agenda. Journal of Service Research, 14(3), 252–271. https://doi.org/10.1177/1094670511411703 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1094670511411703

Calder, B. J., Malthouse, E. C., and Schaedel, U. (2009). An Experimental Study of the rElationship Between Online Engagement and Advertising Effectiveness. Journal of Interactive Marketing, 23(4), 321–331. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intmar.2009.07.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intmar.2009.07.002

Casaló, L. V., Flavián, C., and Ibáñez-Sánchez, S. (2020). Influencers on Instagram: Antecedents and Consequences of Opinion Leadership. Journal of Business Research, 117, 510–519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2018.07.005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2018.07.005

Cvijikj, I. P., and Michahelles, F. (2013). Online Engagement Factors on Facebook Brand Pages. Social Network Analysis and Mining, 3, 843–861. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13278-013-0098-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13278-013-0098-8

De Vries, L., Gensler, S., and Leeflang, P. S. H. (2012). Popularity of Brand Posts on Social Media. Journal of Interactive Marketing, 26(2), 83–91. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intmar.2012.01.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intmar.2012.01.003

Dessart, L. (2019). How Stories Generate Consumer Engagement. Journal of Business Research, 104, 183–195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.06.045 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.06.045

Dessart, L., Veloutsou, C., and Morgan-Thomas, A. (2015). Consumer Engagement in online Brand Communities: A Social Media Perspective. Journal of Product and Brand Management, 24(1), 28–42. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPBM-06-2014-0635

Dessart, L., Veloutsou, C., and Morgan-Thomas, A. (2015). Consumer Engagement in Online Brand Communities. Journal of Product and Brand Management, 24(1), 28–42. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPBM-06-2014-0635 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JPBM-06-2014-0635

Dolan, R., Conduit, J., Fahy, J., and Goodman, S. (2016). Social Media Engagement Behaviour: A Uses and Gratifications Perspective. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 24(3), 261–277. https://doi.org/10.1080/0965254X.2015.1095222 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/0965254X.2015.1095222

Dwivedi, Y. K., Ismagilova, E., Hughes, D. L., Carlson, J., Filieri, R., Jacobson, J., Jain, V., Karjaluoto, H., Kefi, H., Krishen, A. S., Kumar, V., Rahman, M. M., Raman, R., Rauschnabel, P. A., Rowley, J., Salo, J., Tran, G. A., and Wang, Y. (2021). Setting the Future of Digital and Social Media Marketing Research: Perspectives and research propositions. International Journal of Information Management, 59, Article 102168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2020.102168 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2020.102168

Escalas, J. E. (2004). Narrative Processing in Consumer Behavior. Journal of Consumer Psychology, 14(1–2), 168–180. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327663jcp1401and2_19 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327663jcp1401&2_19

Escalas, J. E., and Bettman, J. R. (2005). Self-Construal and Brand Meaning. Journal of Consumer Research, 32(3), 378–389. https://doi.org/10.1086/497549 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1086/497549

Gensler, S., Völckner, F., Liu-Thompkins, Y., and Wiertz, C. (2013). Managing Brands in the Social Media Environment. Journal of Interactive Marketing, 27(4), 242–256. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intmar.2013.09.004 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intmar.2013.09.004

Gilliam, D. A., and Flaherty, K. E. (2015). Storytelling by the Sales Force and its Effect on Buyer–Seller Exchange. Industrial Marketing Management, 46, 132–142. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2015.01.013 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indmarman.2015.01.013

Green, M. C., and Brock, T. C. (2000). The Role of Transportation in Persuasion. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 79(5), 701–721. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.79.5.701 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.79.5.701

Hajli, N. (2014). A Study of the Impact of Social Media on Consumers. International Journal of Market Research, 56(3), 387–404. https://doi.org/10.2501/IJMR-2014-025 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2501/IJMR-2014-025

Harrigan, P., Evers, U., Miles, M., and Daly, T. (2017). Customer Engagement with Tourism Social Media Brands. Tourism Management, 59, 597–609. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2016.09.015 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2016.09.015

Hennig-Thurau, T., Malthouse, E. C., Friege, C., Gensler, S., Lobschat, L., Rangaswamy, A., and Skiera, B. (2010). The Impact of New Media on Customer Relationships. Journal of Service Research, 13(3), 311–330. https://doi.org/10.1177/1094670510375460 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1094670510375460

Hollebeek, L. D., Glynn, M. S., and Brodie, R. J. (2014). Consumer Brand Engagement in Social Media. Journal of Interactive Marketing, 28(2), 149–165. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intmar.2013.12.002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intmar.2013.12.002

Hughes, C., Swaminathan, V., and Brooks, G. (2019). Driving Brand Engagement through Online Social Influencers: An Empirical Investigation of Sponsored Blogging Campaigns. Journal of Marketing, 83(5), 78–96. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022242919854374 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0022242919854374

Kaplan, A. M., and Haenlein, M. (2010). Users of the World, Unite! The Challenges and Opportunities of Social Media. Business Horizons, 53(1), 59–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2009.09.003

Kaplan, A. M., and Haenlein, M. (2010). Users of the World, Unite! The Challenges and Opportunities of Social Media. Business Horizons, 53(1), 59–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2009.09.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2009.09.003

Kaur, J., Saini, S., Behl, A., and Poonia, A. (2024). Impact of Digital Storytelling on Improving Brand Image Among Consumers. Journal of Promotion Management, 30(8), 1348–1376. https://doi.org/10.1080/10496491.2024.2403760 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10496491.2024.2403760

Kietzmann, J. H., Hermkens, K., McCarthy, I. P., and Silvestre, B. S. (2011). Social Media? Get Serious! Understanding the Functional Building Blocks of Social Media. Business Horizons, 54(3), 241–251. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2011.01.005 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2011.01.005

Kim, A. J., and Ko, E. (2012). Do Social Media Marketing Activities Enhance Customer Equity? An Empirical Study of Luxury Fashion Brand. Journal of Business Research, 65(10), 1480–1486. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2011.10.014 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2011.10.014

Labrecque, L. I. (2014). Fostering Consumer–Brand Relationships in Social Media. Journal of Interactive Marketing, 28(2), 134–148. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intmar.2013.12.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intmar.2013.12.003

Lee, J. E., and Watkins, B. (2016). YouTube Vloggers’ Influence on Consumer Luxury Brand Perceptions and Intentions. Journal of Business Research, 69(12), 5753–5760. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2016.04.171 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2016.04.171

Lou, C., and Yuan, S. (2019). Influencer Marketing: How Message Value and Credibility Affect Engagement. Journal of Interactive Advertising, 19(1), 58–73. https://doi.org/10.1080/15252019.2018.1533501 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/15252019.2018.1533501

Lundqvist, A., Liljander, V., Gummerus, J., and van Riel, A. (2013). The Impact of Storytelling on the Consumer Brand Experience: The Case of a Firm-Originated Story. Journal of Brand Management, 20(4), 283–297. https://doi.org/10.1057/bm.2012.15 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/bm.2012.15

Mandung, F. (2024). The Influence of Storytelling Techniques in Digital Marketing on Brand Loyalty: A Consumer Psychology Perspective. Golden Ratio of Marketing and Applied Psychology of Business, 5(1), 66–78. https://doi.org/10.52970/grmapb.v5i1.782 DOI: https://doi.org/10.52970/grmapb.v5i1.782

Mavilinda, H. F., Putri, Y. H., and Nazaruddin, A. (2023). Is Storytelling Marketing Effective in Building Customer Engagement and Driving Purchase Decisions? Jurnal Manajemen Bisnis, 14(2), 274–296. https://doi.org/10.18196/mb.v14i2.17830 DOI: https://doi.org/10.18196/mb.v14i2.17830

Mohamed, K. M. M. (2025). Visual Storytelling and Cultural Connection in GCC Social Media Advertising. Frontiers in Communication. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2025.1584156 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fcomm.2025.1584156

Muntinga, D. G., Moorman, M., and Smit, E. G. (2011). Introducing COBRAs: Exploring Motivations for Brand-Related Social Media use. International Journal of Advertising, 30(1), 13–46. https://doi.org/10.2501/IJA-30-1-013-046 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2501/IJA-30-1-013-046

Okazaki, S., Li, H., and Hirose, M. (2013). Consumer Privacy Concerns and Preference for Degree of Regulatory Control. Journal of Advertising, 38(4), 63–77. https://doi.org/10.2753/JOA0091-3367380405 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2753/JOA0091-3367380405

Pera, R., and Viglia, G. (2016). Exploring How Video Digital Storytelling Builds Relationship Experiences. Psychology and Marketing, 33(12), 1142–1150. https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.20951 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.20951

Phua, J., Jin, S. V., and Kim, J. (2017). Uses and Gratifications of Social Networking Sites for Bridging and Bonding Social Capital: A Comparison of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat. Computers in Human Behavior, 72, 115–122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.02.041 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2017.02.041

Schivinski, B., and Dąbrowski, D. (2016). The Effect of Social Media Communication on Consumer Perceptions of Brands. Journal of Marketing Communications, 22(2), 189–214. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527266.2013.871323 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13527266.2013.871323

Schouten, A. P., Janssen, L., and Verspaget, M. (2019). Celebrity vs. Influencer Endorsements in Advertising: The Role of Identification, Credibility, and Product–Endorser Fit. International Journal of Advertising, 39(7), 1–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/02650487.2019.1634898 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02650487.2019.1634898

Singh, S., and Sonnenburg, S. (2012). Brand Performances in Social Media. Journal of Interactive Marketing, 26(4), 189–197. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intmar.2012.04.001 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.intmar.2012.04.001

Stephen, A. T. (2016). The Role of Digital and Social Media Marketing in Consumer Behavior. Current Opinion in Psychology, 10, 17–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2015.10.016 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2015.10.016

Sweeney, J. C., and Soutar, G. N. (2001). Consumer Perceived Value: The Development of a Multiple Item Scale. Journal of Retailing, 77(2), 203–220. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-4359(01)00041-0 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-4359(01)00041-0

Tafesse, W. (2016). An Experiential Model of Consumer Engagement in Social Media. Journal of Product and Brand Management, 25(5), 424–434. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPBM-05-2015-0879 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JPBM-05-2015-0879

van Laer, T., de Ruyter, K., Visconti, L. M., and Wetzels, M. (2013). The Extended Transportation-Imagery Model: A Meta-Analysis of the Antecedents and Consequences of Consumers’ Narrative Transportation. SSRN Electronic Journal. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2033192 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2033192

Vivek, S. D., Beatty, S. E., and Morgan, R. M. (2012). Customer Engagement: Exploring Customer Relationships Beyond Purchase. Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, 20(2), 122–146. https://doi.org/10.2753/MTP1069-6679200201 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2753/MTP1069-6679200201

Voorveld, H. A. M., van Noort, G., Muntinga, D. G., and Bronner, F. (2018). Engagement with Social Media and Social Media Advertising: The Differentiating Role of Platform Type. Journal of Advertising, 47(1), 1–17. https://doi.org/10.1080/00913367.2017.1405754 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/00913367.2017.1405754

Woodside, A. G., Sood, S., and Miller, K. E. (2008). When Consumers and Brands Talk: Storytelling Theory and Research in Psychology and Marketing. Psychology and Marketing, 25(2), 97–145. https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.20203 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.20203

Downloads

Published

2026-04-03

How to Cite

Kumar T.P, K., Nair, D., Agarwal, S., Hanumanthu, K. D., Reddy, . R. R., & Anitha G. (2026). VISUAL STORYTELLING AND CONSUMER ENGAGEMENT: A STRATEGIC MARKETING PERSPECTIVE ON DIGITAL MEDIA AND BRAND COMMUNICATION. ShodhKosh: Journal of Visual and Performing Arts, 7(3s), 496–504. https://doi.org/10.29121/shodhkosh.v7.i3s.2026.7352