When Citizen, a watch company, uses a spokesperson such as football player Eli Manning to promote its Eco-Drive watches, it believes he is who can influence the purchase decision of its target market.

The correct answer is: an opinion leader

Explanation:

The opinion leader is a person who, in a particular group, exerts a greater influence by his status as an expert and reliable source.

This character has to be charismatic, recognized and function as a representative of that group. A true opinion leader must also know the issues in a deep and specialized way.

In order to be considered a prestigious voice, the opinion leader needs to communicate his ideas and messages effectively.

Usually, this figure verbally exposes his arguments with a direct and not too formal rhetoric, enhancing the strongest ideas and continuously trying to create identification links in his speech.