Let us start from the basics, any altcoin that wants to have value must be popular, it doesn't need to be a famous developer, or media reputation, but a solid project.
During the days of sero, harmony, tokoin, PR advert did not make them popular and accepted nor did it make it increase in price.

Their solid project, functional and achievable was lauded and regarded by all with the knowledge of crypto currency, that is the best factor in the crypto space TECH.