endorser

An endorser is a person or entity that publicly supports or approves a person, product, policy, or idea. The term is used in several contexts, including finance, marketing, and politics, with meaning varying by domain.

In finance and law, an endorser is the person who signs the back of a negotiable instrument, such as a check or promissory note, to transfer the right to payment or to guarantee payment to another party. Endorsements can be blank (signature alone) or special (identifying the new holder), and may be restricted or qualified. Endorsers can bear liability if the instrument is dishonored, though liability rules depend on jurisdiction and the language used (for example, an endorsement that reads “without recourse” limits liability).

In marketing and advertising, an endorser is someone who publicly supports a product or brand, often through testimonials, endorsements, or sponsorships. Endorsers are chosen for credibility and audience reach, and disclosures are commonly required when there is a material connection between the endorser and the brand to prevent deceptive advertising.

In politics and public policy, an endorser is an individual or organization that publicly supports a candidate, party, or policy. Endorsements can influence fundraising, media coverage, and voter perception, but their impact varies by race and audience. Some jurisdictions impose rules about conflicts of interest or governance related to endorsements by public officials or campaign entities.

Etymology: Endorser derives from endorsing on the back of a document, a practice historically associated with negotiable instruments. See also endorsement, negotiable instrument, influencer marketing, political endorsements.