To promote interests such as ideological and economical, individuals, organizations, companies or governments recruit individuals or groups which exert influence in the target society.
Throughout the cold-war period the former Soviet Union and the USA were continuously recruiting existing or potential agents of influence from the other country's influential establishments such as media, civil and military institutions and the intellectual and political elite. These agents of influence were usually bribed, paid or converted to promote the interests of the "enemy" country. Agents of influence may also be recruited for industrial espionage at company or national level. Regardless of type, agents of influence may be employed against foe as well as friend.