But that was in the days before the internet, when 24-hour news was in its infancy and The Sun had a formidable reputation as an opinion former.
The Daily Mail and Sunday Times have been particularly obsessive, pointing to a claim of £120 for a single cake, £743.23 for "discussions", a £90 lunch with an "opinion former", £35 on "evening dress".
On the welcome screen for Apple Watch Apps, the first three suggestions are Twitter, the New York Times and Nike+ Running, suggesting the average Apple Watch purchaser is a fit opinion former.
This is all part of the brave new world knownn as "opinion former marketing" – something I slightly shudder to even repeat, but it does appear to be a growing sector.
Peer Index which identifies experts who use social media like Twitter to expound on their chosen topics, is effectively building an opinion former marketing service which lets marketers and brands access these highly influential individuals.
He was regarded as being the greatest right wing in the game's history when he retired, an opinion former teammate Frank Boucher retained many years later: "Bill was the finest all-round player in Ranger history.
