advertising

The Human Science Behind Consumer Behavior

Virginia Prescott — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 17:52:48 +0000

Anthropology translates literally to the “science of humanity." We tend to think of it as a field that seeks to answer the big questions about what makes us human. A number of consultant anthopologists are seeking to answer queries that appear somewhat less profound. For example, consulting firms like ReD Associates use field research and ethnography to figure out (among other things) how people are drinking Absolut vodka at house parties. Their services offer corporate clients a deeper understanding of consumer behavior through these anthropological methods, which presents a challenge to a traditionally academic arena with its own code of ethics and standards.

Word of Mouth 09.22.2012

Virginia Prescott — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 02:00:00 +0000

Part 1: Big Fundraiser Flame-Out, Circa 1884

Your TV is Talking to YOU. Yes, YOU.

Virginia Prescott — Mon, 10 Sep 2012 14:50:23 +0000

Personalized, addressable ads are finally hitting our televisions. Ad Age's Brian Steinberg explains how they're doing something that seems a little too Minority Report to be true.
And, some feedback about a listener about our coverage of the non-coverage of the Paralympics.

Federal Court To Weigh Graphic Cigarette Labels

Debbie Elliott — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 07:38:00 +0000
The question of how far the government can go in forcing a business — in this case cigarette makers — to warn consumers about its product is before a federal appeals court in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday.
The Food and Drug Administration wants large, graphic warning labels to scare smokers, but tobacco companies say that violates their right to free speech.
Diseased lungs, gnarly rotting teeth, even what appears to be the corpse of a smoker are some of the images

Boycotts Hitting Group Behind 'Stand Your Ground'

Peter Overby — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 07:31:00 +0000
Two of America's best-known companies, Coca-Cola and PepsiCo, have dropped their memberships in the American Legislative Exchange Council, a low-profile conservative organization behind the national proliferation of "stand your ground" gun laws.
ALEC promotes business-friendly legislation in state capitols and drafts model bills for state legislatures to adopt. They range from little-noticed pro-business bills to more controversial measures, including voter-identification laws and stand your ground laws based on the Florida statute.

When Gay TV Goes Straight

Virginia Prescott — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 15:31:38 +0000

The Logo network is adding programs that sound a lot like what's on a lot of "straight" channels. Is gay simply too mainstream to be called a niche anymore?

Shameless Self-Promotion

Brady Carlson — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 17:44:51 +0000

Journalists may benefit at work by promoting themselves as a brand.

3 Hidden Themes Of This Year's Super Bowl Ads

Linton Weeks — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:55:22 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhkDdayA4iA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-9EYFJ4Clo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1HMR9nRmlY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4igYHZ-hmGo

#Superbowl ads for those other screens

Brady Carlson — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 17:16:32 +0000

Advertisers dip their toe in the waters of digital Superbowl marketing.

Grand Theft Advertising

Jonathan Lynch — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:00:00 +0000

New glamour and gimmickry in the flashy world of Video game advertising.