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Ray of hope for magazines in digital era

Research from the University of Toronto Scarborough finds that print magazines with online presence can charge more for their advertising space due to attracting a homogeneous, targeted audience. This study suggests that magazines need to integrate their print products with digital platforms to remain competitive.

SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalManagement Science·DateJan 15, 2014

Mars and Venus go shopping: Does gender play a role in negative word of mouth advertising?

Researchers found that men are sensitive to impairing their image, but do not prefer who they complain to. Women, on the other hand, are more likely to complain to close friends when concerned about their reputation. The study challenges prior assumptions that negative word-of-mouth is largely driven by product performance.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateDec 10, 2013

See a Honda, buy a Mountain Dew? What happens when consumers fast-forward through commercials?

A study by researchers from Duke University found that exposure to multiple brands with different personalities can make a focal brand seem more distinctive. Consumers are more likely to buy Mountain Dew when it's paired with a dissimilar brand like Honda, especially at faster-than-normal commercial speeds.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateNov 19, 2013

Like shopping at home

A study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that customers become emotionally attached to commercial spaces, leading to increased loyalty and commitment. This attachment is driven by factors such as authentic decor, high product quality, and a sense of security.

SourceConcordia University·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateNov 12, 2013

Alcohol ads reaching too many young people in TV markets across the United States

Researchers found that in 25 US TV markets, nearly 1/4 of popular youth programs exceeded the industry's voluntary standards for alcohol ad exposure. This could lead to a one-third drop in total youth exposure if ads were eliminated. Exposure to alcohol marketing increases underage drinking and health risks.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalMMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report·DateNov 7, 2013

When retailers strike out twice

Researchers found that customers may desire both revenge and reconciliation after a double service failure, depending on perceived firm motives. Effective ways to reduce negative customer response include explanations of the failure and apologies paired with compensation.

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of Retailing·DateJun 17, 2013

The impact of consumption goals on flat-rate choice

A recent study published in the Journal of Service Research found that 'hedonizing' a service can increase customers' propensity to choose a flat rate. Researchers discovered that companies can improve customer spending patterns by making services more enjoyable, without negatively affecting willingness to pay.

SourceBoston College·JournalJournal of Service Research·DateMay 8, 2013

Floral signs go electric

Researchers at the University of Bristol discovered that flowers produce electric signals to attract pollinators like bumblebees. These signals can convey information about nectar and pollen reserves, improving flower-pollinator communication.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalScience·DateFeb 21, 2013

Loyalty is trump

Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum found that loyal customers play out their loyalty in price negotiations, gaining an extra 5% discount without issue. This study turned the perception of customer loyalty on its head, highlighting its negotiating power in stores across various sectors.

Study: Store layout an important variable for retailers

A University of Illinois study shows that retailers must balance the shopping process for consumers and pricing behavior of upstream suppliers through strategic manipulation of store layout. The findings suggest that making certain products convenient to consumers may not be the best retail strategy, as it can influence pricing behavio...

How does family life influence consumer response to television advertising?

A new study in the Journal of Consumer Research finds that creative and skilled viewers can overturn and personalize commercial advertising meanings for family benefit. Researchers placed cameras in suburban homes to study viewer behavior during TV ad breaks, revealing the impact of family interaction on advertising response.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateJan 15, 2013

Time restrictions on TV advertisements ineffective in reducing youth exposure to alcohol ads

New research from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Dutch Institute for Alcohol Policy confirms that time restrictions on alcohol advertising actually increase teen exposure. Alcohol companies move their ads to late-night programming when most teens are watching, increasing ad exposure for high-risk youth.

SourceJohns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health·JournalJournal of Public Affairs·DateDec 13, 2012

Closer look at consumers' gazes

A study by Concordia University researchers found that consumers' gazes naturally draw towards centrally placed products. This subconscious visual focus influences purchasing decisions. By understanding these unconscious habits, shoppers can make more informed choices and train themselves to thoroughly scan product displays.

SourceConcordia University·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateDec 6, 2012

Marketing analytics ups Fortune 1000 return on assets 8 percent, says operations research study

A recent study finds that Fortune 1000 companies using marketing analytics see an average 8% increase in return on assets, with potential gains of $70-180 million in net income. The research highlights the key role of management support and analytics skills in successful marketing analytics deployments.

SourceInstitute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences·JournalInternational Journal of Research in Marketing·DateNov 29, 2012

Planting the right messages may make farms safer

Researchers at Penn State found that social marketing campaigns could motivate farmers to install rollover protective structures on older-model tractors, reducing deaths in tractor-rollover accidents. Offering rebates and highlighting child safety concerns were key motivators for farmers.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Agromedicine·DateJun 12, 2012