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Alcohol ads in sport fuel drinking culture

A new international study by Monash University and Parisien Laboratory of Social Psychology found a positive link between alcohol sponsorship and attitudes, as well as exposure to specific brands. The research suggests that incidental exposure to alcohol marketing messages influences participants' drinking attitudes.

SourceMonash University·JournalDrug and Alcohol Review·DateApr 29, 2019

Study finds differences in storefront tobacco advertising by product type

A new study by Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health documents specific characteristics of storefront tobacco advertisements, highlighting variations in ad features across product categories. The research found that cigarette ads dominated window space, while cigar and ENDS ads were more commonly placed near entry points.

Medical marketing increased over past 2 decades

The amount of money spent on medical marketing in the US has significantly increased over the past two decades, reaching $29.9 billion in 2016. Most of this spending was on marketing to professionals, with direct-to-consumer advertising also growing substantially.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateJan 8, 2019

Advertising in mobile apps for young children -- Study raises concerns about frequency and content

A study found that nearly all smartphone and tablet apps targeted at toddlers and preschoolers have commercial content, using distracting features and potentially manipulative approaches. The research suggests that designers and app stores could take steps to develop higher-quality apps for children.

SourceWolters Kluwer Health·JournalJournal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics·DateOct 30, 2018

Could mental health apps lead to overdiagnosis?

Research found that popular mental health apps portray mental health as ubiquitous and manageable through self-help apps, potentially leading to overdiagnosis. The study's authors caution that this approach can be problematic, especially for those with severe mental health issues, who may need external support.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalThe Annals of Family Medicine·DateJul 9, 2018

In male dolphin alliances, 'everybody knows your name'

Researchers found that male bottlenose dolphins retain individual vocal labels in long-term cooperative alliances, enabling them to track complex social relationships. This study provides insight into the role of vocal communication in coordinating social behaviors among these intelligent marine mammals.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJun 7, 2018

Does negative political advertising actually work?

A new study by Yanwen Wang, Michael Lewis, and David A. Schweidel found that negative political advertising is effective in influencing voter preferences and turnout, particularly when created by candidates or their campaigns. In contrast, positive advertising is less effective, while PAC-sponsored ads are significantly less impactful.

Political tension during the 2016 US Election cut many Thanksgiving dinners short

A study found that households with opposing political views spent significantly less time at the Thanksgiving table in 2016. Political tension exacerbated this effect, particularly for those exposed to high amounts of advertising. Overall, partisan differences cost Americans 73.6 million hours spent interacting during Thanksgiving.

Black-oriented films can be highly profitable when marketed to all audiences, study finds

A study published in the Journal of Advertising Research found that both Black and White teens perceive Black-oriented media as being targeted towards them, suggesting the potential for increased profitability when marketed to a broader audience. The study surveyed 1,900 adolescents ages 14-17 about their movie preferences.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalJournal of Advertising Research·DateApr 27, 2018

Kids hit hard by junk food advertising: New research

A new study found that children are exposed to over 800 junk food ads per year, with unhealthy food ads being 2.3 times more frequent than healthy food ads during peak viewing times. The research, led by the University of Adelaide, used a bespoke TV monitoring system to capture an entire year's worth of television and ads.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalJournal of Paediatrics and Child Health·DateApr 17, 2018

You might be paying too much for ads on Google, Bing

A new study from Binghamton University found that advertisers may be getting more clicks by placing ads in lower positions if they prioritize website quality, brand equity, and selling proposition over top spot ad placement. The model helps advertisers quantify expected clicks based on these factors.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalJournal of Business Research·DateFeb 6, 2018

How emotions influence our internal clock

A study by Dr. Roland Thomaschke and colleagues found that emotions impact our mental time-processing system, causing faster processing of positive concepts and slower processing of negative ones. This suggests that emotional states can influence human perception, potentially affecting how we respond to advertisements or online content.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalEmotion·DateNov 14, 2017

Secondhand opinions

Research reveals that a minority of users' tweets account for the majority of influence, with opinion leaders forming a virtual community that shapes information spread. The study suggests targeting this community for effective advertising on social media platforms like Twitter.

SourceInderscience Publishers·JournalInternational Journal of Internet Marketing and Advertising·DateAug 10, 2017

Sunny, rainy, or cloudy: New study shows how weather impacts response to mobile ads

A new study in Marketing Science found that consumer responses to mobile promotions are higher and faster in sunny weather than cloudy weather. The study suggests that firms can use local weather information to improve the effectiveness of their mobile ads, with better-than-yesterday or forecasted sunshine boosting purchase responses.

Tech company video ads still dominated by white males

A recent study found that video advertisements from top tech companies feature predominantly white males, reinforcing traditional gender roles and perpetuating a lack of diversity in the tech industry. The researchers analyzed 54 videos featuring products and services, highlighting the underrepresentation of women, racial/ethnic minori...

SourceSpringer·JournalGender Issues·DateJun 27, 2017

National study looks at tobacco advertising and susceptibility to use tobacco among youth

A new national study analyzed data from the PATH Study and found that nearly half of 12- to 17-year-olds who had never used tobacco products were receptive to tobacco marketing if they recalled or liked at least one advertisement. Receptivity to tobacco ads is linked with an increased susceptibility to smoking cigarettes in the future.

Researchers find strong link between fast-food ads and consumption among pre-schoolers

A recent Dartmouth-led study found a strong association between fast-food TV ads and increased consumption among pre-schoolers. The research team recruited 548 parents and tracked their child's exposure to child-targeted ads, revealing that moderate or high exposure increased the likelihood of consuming fast food by about 30%.

SourceThe Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth·JournalPublic Health Nutrition·DateApr 18, 2017