Tag Archive for: advertising

The Bouba/Kiki Effect: Understanding the Relationship of Sound and Meaning

Bouba and Kiki are two words invented by the German psychologist, Wolfgang Kohler, in his late 1920’s research exploring the connection between sound and meaning. Participants were asked to match two abstract shapes with two made-up words…

Shared experiences – still a staple to our culture?

Two events in the world of sports last month prompted me to think about the role shared experiences play in our lives, and specifically in a remote work environment these days. The first was the release of Super Bowl ads (in full or as teasers)…

Tell The Truth, But Make It Fascinate

While getting my degree in advertising at Portland State University, professors encouraged students to do a lot of extracurricular reading – and provided recommendations. The ones I remember enjoying most were: Lovemarks, How to Talk to Anyone,…

Making Marketing Metrics Matter

Analytics has gone in and out of fashion focus over the past two decades. There is a point in time that it takes all the oxygen out of any other marketing conversation, and then months that it isn't even discussed. Sure, there are only so many…

Where have all the big ideas gone in advertising?

The shape of advertising has changed significantly in the last two decades, with the advent of digital (and associated tech advances), a desire by large corporations to in-source advertising and all things creative, to save money – and the…

Strong Coffee, Even Stronger Transparency

Think back to an experiment-like advertisement you’ve seen where strangers are asked to try a certain product compared to another. Just like a Pepsi commercial where customers are disgusted with the taste of Coca Cola, then absolutely enlightened…

Shameless Product Placement in Pop Music Videos

I love pop music videos because they serve one purpose for the industry: to shamelessly advertise musicians and sponsored products through vivid colors, rapid movement, and stimulation of basic human instincts. I love that they appear stupid…

And The Oscar Goes To…

This has been an exceptional season in Academy Award nominated film marketing.  My history in marketing feature films goes back to late 90’s and I still pay very close attention. I’ve also personally always been a film buff as well so my…

Research Finds Radio Advertising Works

I’ve never heard a radio advertisement I liked - everything about them bugs me. From the fanatical announcer, to repeating of the phone number three or more times, the obnoxious jingles… everything. Must give a little credit to Tom Shane…

Holiday Commercial Creep

I wondered if it was just me…or if holiday TV commercials were appearing even earlier this year.  It was literally the day after Halloween when I noticed what was clearly a holiday commercial – of the Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa ilk…not…