Add BrightSurf on Google Email

How you feel about fast-food brands can predict overall diet quality

A new study suggests that a fondness for well-known fast-food and sugar-sweetened beverage brands can predict poorer diet quality, even among those who rate these brands as unhealthy. The research found that participants who liked fast-food brands not only consumed more fat and sugar but also tended to perceive those brands as healthier.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalJournal of Health Communication·TypeSurvey·DateSep 10, 2026

First-ever healthy checkout policy shows promise for reducing soda sales, increasing healthy snack purchases

A new study implemented in Berkeley, Calif. supermarkets, drug stores, and mass-market retailers in 2021 found a link between a healthy checkout ordinance and a notable decrease in soda sales overall and small-package candy in supermarkets. The study also found that greater enforcement of the policy is essential for sustained public he...

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalThe Lancet Public Health·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2026

Alcohol marketing exposure and youth drinking

A systematic review and meta-analysis revealed a strong association between alcohol marketing exposure and increased drinking outcomes among youth. The study's findings suggest that reducing alcohol marketing can help mitigate the risk of youth drinking, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to address this public health con...

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Pediatrics·DateAug 24, 2026

Leading hemp-derived cannabinoid brands lean on lifestyle and youth appeals on social media

Researchers found that hemp-derived cannabinoid brands emphasize lifestyle and recreational marketing, with minimal attention to safety warnings, on social media platforms. The study highlights gaps in platform policies and enforcement, calling for clearer standards addressing youth-oriented features and misleading health claims.

SourceRutgers University·JournalAddiction·TypeContent analysis·DateAug 19, 2026

Hantavirus: the hidden agricultural hazard exposed by the MV hondius cruise outbreak

A deadly hantavirus cluster on a cruise ship has sparked global alarm, but new research highlights the overlooked risk of agricultural and wildlife farming environments. The study calls for a One Health approach to protect agricultural workers worldwide from this preventable occupational risk.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalJournal of Integrative Agriculture·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 12, 2026

Citizens as political actors, not individual consumers: new study calls for tighter advertising regulations

A new study suggests that commercial marketing logics can hinder the effectiveness of promoting degrowth, a concept proposing an equitable reduction in production and consumption. Instead, non-commercial messaging led by institutions empowering communities is proposed as a more effective approach to shaping values and worldviews.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalPLOS Sustainability and Transformation·TypeSurvey·DateMay 29, 2026

Study identifies product-category differences in language associated with click-through rates in Japanese Instagram advertisements

Researchers analyzed a large dataset of Japanese Instagram ads to identify linguistic patterns linked to click-through rates. The study found that word choices for supplement and cosmetic ads differed significantly, with risk-related words boosting CTR in supplement ads, while motion-related language increased CTR in cosmetic ads.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalPLOS One·DateMay 11, 2026

Study finds high school journalism leading the way in financial literacy, even if business isn't part of curriculum

A study by the University of Kansas found that high school journalists learn business skills through practice and experiential learning, even if business concepts are not directly addressed. Student media advisers reported financial pressures and stressed the need for improved financial literacy education.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalJournalism & Mass Communication Educator·TypeSurvey·DateApr 21, 2026

Reversible words can lower consumer disbelief in ads

A new study reveals that using reversible words in marketing messages can significantly impact how confident consumers feel about believing a claim. Researchers found that when words differ in their reversibility, it can trigger different mental processes when consumers evaluate marketing language.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 13, 2026

Online viewers prefer livestreams to recordings

Researchers found that watching an online performance in real time boosts several aspects of the viewing experience, including a common factor of heightened sense of presence. The liveness effect weakens when viewers cannot see a performer's face, but going live can benefit streamers by motivating audience engagement.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateApr 9, 2026

Green skepticism indirectly reduces intention to purchase sustainable products

A study from Hiroshima University found that green skepticism weakens two key drivers of green consumption: seeking trustworthy environmental information and anticipated guilt about making less sustainable choices. This challenges the common assumption that skeptical consumers will investigate more before deciding on purchases.

SourceHiroshima University·JournalSustainability·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 7, 2026

Do TV ads work? Ask smart TVs

A new study reveals traditional TV ads deliver less than expected impact, with promotions, recency, programming, and habits playing a crucial role in ad effectiveness. The research uses smart TV data to measure causal impact on consumer purchases, providing insights for advertisers and improving TV networks' measurement capabilities.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalMarketing Science·DateApr 1, 2026

Young people’s critical capacity regarding digital advertising reproduces social inequalities

A recent study by Pompeu Fabra University reveals that socioeconomic conditions significantly impact young people's ability to detect algorithmically personalized advertising. The study finds that lower socioeconomic status is linked to decreased critical capacity, exacerbating structural inequalities.

SourceUniversitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona·JournalTechnology in Society·TypeSurvey·DateMar 25, 2026

Digital targeting creeps out customers

Researchers find that personalized digital marketing can evoke a powerful emotional response, leading consumers to feel uncomfortable and less likely to make purchases. To mitigate this 'creepiness,' brands can focus on prevention by designing personalization practices that minimize ambiguity and avoid signals of intrusive surveillance.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalPsychology and Marketing·DateMar 2, 2026

Zero-alcohol ads hook teens

A study of 382 adolescents aged 15–17 found that zero-alcohol advertisements significantly increased their intentions to try full-strength versions. Teenagers who liked the ads showed more positive attitudes toward the brands and clearer intentions to drink.

SourceFlinders University·JournalDrug and Alcohol Review·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 23, 2026

Claiming your business page on review platforms can have unintended effects on customer reviews, study shows

A study from Florida International University finds that claiming a business page on review platforms like Yelp can lead to a significant drop in average ratings, with a 10% decrease in five-star reviews and a 9.5% rise in one-star reviews. The study also reveals that these lowest-rated reviews become substantially longer and more crit...

SourceFlorida International University·JournalInformation Systems Research·TypeObservational study·DateJan 27, 2026

New research finds that an ‘equal treatment’ approach to economic opportunity advertising can backfire

A new study by Di Yuan of Auburn University and co-authors found that equal treatment policies may boost ad platform revenues while improving fairness outcomes. In contrast, an Equal Exposure with Equal Treatment policy can increase competition among advertisers, leading to increased total advertising revenue.

For battered brands, consumers can be defenders

Researchers identified three types of online brand defenders: promoters (emotionally attached), justice promoters (fairness driven), and self-promoters (ego-driven). Companies can encourage promoters by acknowledging them, while justice promoters require a sense of fairness. Self-promoters are motivated by attention and rewards.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of Interactive Marketing·DateOct 29, 2025

How can (A)I help you?

A new study by Yifan Yu offers guidance on how to deploy emotion AI in various scenarios, emphasizing the importance of balancing human involvement with AI's emotional detection capabilities. The analysis showed that emotion AI works best when integrated with human employees, and some scenarios are better handled by humans alone.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalManagement Science·DateOct 28, 2025

One bad safety review can tank an Airbnb booking — Even among thousands of positive ones, new study finds

A new study found that safety-related reviews on Airbnb can reduce bookings and lower nightly prices, with a significant impact from personal experiences. The study suggests increasing transparency to balance financial incentives with customer welfare, providing the greatest long-term benefits.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalMarketing Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 27, 2025

New study shows ads for prescription smoking cessation drugs help reduce smoking rates, but OTC ads fall short

A new study finds that direct-to-consumer advertising for prescription smoking-cessation drugs reduces cigarette use, while OTC nicotine products do not. The research highlights the importance of accessibility and affordability in promoting public health benefits from advertising.

Cambridge scientist uncovers cunning way to double the sales of the famous Greggs Vegan Sausage Roll – and in an open letter, shares the technique with key people at Greggs

A new strategy to increase low-emission food consumption has been found effective in controlled choice experiments with 3,000 participants. The 'nudge by proxy' approach highlights consumer motivations rather than environmental impacts, significantly outperforming traditional carbon footprint labelling.

Have you been offended by a discriminatory or harmful ad? You might just buy the product it's promoting

Researchers found that individuals from vulnerable groups who felt discriminated against may actually show increased preference for brands that insult their group. This 'paradoxical phenomenon' aligns with theories of disidentification, which suggests long-term consequences of harm to groups include reduced self-esteem and group-esteem.

SourceBen-Gurion University of the Negev·JournalPsychology and Marketing·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2025