Coattails

The success or influence of a prominent person or entity that allows others to also become successful or benefit. This phenomenon often occurs in politics, where a popular candidate helps other candidates from the same party win elections. It can also apply to businesses, cultural trends, or any situation where association with a successful entity leads to positive outcomes for others. This 'riding the coattails' effect highlights the significance of affiliation, brand recognition, and the power of association in achieving favorable results. It suggests a dependence on the success of another for one's own advancement or triumph, often implying that success may not have been achieved independently. It can also apply to trends, whereby a successful trend is seen as a pathway for more niche trends and items to gain popularity.

Coattails meaning with examples

• The senator's popularity in the region allowed several lesser-known candidates to ride his coattails during the election. Their campaigns benefited significantly from his rallies and endorsements, securing them unexpected victories. This coattail effect demonstrates the strong influence a leading figure can have on down-ballot races.
• After the successful launch of the new iPhone, many accessory makers rode Apple's coattails, experiencing a surge in demand for their phone cases, screen protectors, and charging cables. Their profits increased significantly because of Apple's strong brand recognition and popularity.
• The director's prior blockbuster films created a coattail effect for his latest release. Critics and audiences flocked to the theaters, drawn by the director's previous successes and generating substantial early box-office revenue, largely because of the previous works' notoriety.
• The rising popularity of electric vehicles put many lithium mining companies on the coattails of Tesla, a company that significantly drove consumer and investor interest in the alternative energy market. This drove up demand for lithium products and services.
• Following a successful viral social media campaign, numerous small businesses attempted to ride the coattails of the trend by producing similar content, with varying degrees of success. Some received immediate boosts to followers, while others failed to gain any traction.