FitWear Inc., a sporting goods footwear and apparel company, features photographs of celebrities wearing its brand of clothing and sports gear. FitWear Inc. launched a commercial for its new line of football cleats. This commercial featured famous football stars because the company believes that celebrities can influence customers' buying decisions. In this case, the football stars served as .

opinion leaders

Explanation:

Since in the question it is mentioned that the Fitwear Inc i.e. a footwear of sporting products and apparel company also it established a new line of football cleats. In addition to this, they also believes that celebrities could influence the buying decision of the customers so here the football stars would be represent as an opinion leaders as they are considered as an individual that influence the people in general

answer; communication channel;