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Spectator rage: The dark side of professional sports

A deadly Egyptian soccer riot has highlighted the need for sports teams to assess and prevent spectator rage, which can be triggered by emotional and environmental factors. Researchers suggest that screenings and monitoring of fans during events are critical in preventing incidents.

SourceBoston College·JournalJournal of Service Research·DateFeb 6, 2012

Study: Quebec ban on fast-food ads reduced consumption of junk food

A study by University of Illinois economist Kathy Baylis found that Quebec's fast-food ad ban reduced fast-food purchases among French-speaking households by 13% per week, leading to 11-22 million fewer meals eaten per year. The ban was most effective in isolated media markets, and the study suggests a nationwide U.S. ban could be succ...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of Marketing Research·DateJan 19, 2012

Pro athletes bolster star status through team selection, teammates and career evolution: Study

A study published in the International Journal of Research in Marketing found that a combination of personal performance, team records, market demand, and teammate quality contribute to an athlete's star status. The research also highlights the importance of playing for a winning team and leveraging popular teammates.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalInternational Journal of Research in Marketing·DateJan 17, 2012

How advertising shapes the image of gayness in America

A University of Miami study reveals that images of gays in ads now shape mainstream perceptions, with consumers interpreting messages to reflect their own identities and gain social inclusion. The research highlights the role of advertising in shaping personal identities and its broader cultural impacts on minority communities.

SourceUniversity of Miami·JournalJournal of Advertising·DateDec 5, 2011

Go ahead, tell me what to buy: Happy consumers like it (most of the time?)

A new study found that people in a good mood tend to use more direct language when thinking of pleasurable goods. Meanwhile, utilitarian consumption like banking and insurance is met with polite language, leading to higher compliance rates for assertive messages. The research has implications for campaigners and public message composers.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateNov 15, 2011

Brand name advertising clicks with online shoppers

Researchers found that brand names in online search engine advertising campaigns attract more attention and encourage more sales. A study by Penn State researchers discovered that branded keyword phrases combined with branded advertisements generated the highest average sales, 15 times higher than generic ads.

SourcePenn State·JournalInternational Journal of Electronic Commerce·DateOct 3, 2011

How do political debates affect advertising?

A recent study by University of Chicago Press Journals found that political debate can sometimes decrease the impact of subsequent ads. Researchers discovered that inducing supportive elaborations increased ad effectiveness, while counterarguing mindset decreased it. This suggests context plays a significant role in advertising efficacy

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateSep 14, 2011

People tend to exaggerate influence of political ads on others

A study by Penn State researchers found that people who view negative political ads perceive the ads as having a greater influence on others than themselves. The experiment showed that both supporters and opponents of a presidential candidate believe the ads affect others more than they are affected by them.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Political Marketing·DateAug 1, 2011

Online advertising waters down impact of offline ad bans

A study by University of Toronto researchers found that online advertising can reduce the effectiveness of offline ad bans on certain products, such as alcohol and tobacco. The study showed that when consumers with limited knowledge of a product were exposed to online ads, it made online ads more effective substitutes for offline ads.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalJournal of Marketing Research·DateMay 31, 2011

Restaurants cherry pick parties by size

A study found that restaurants 'cherry pick' parties by size, quoting longer wait times to undesired customers. This practice benefits small parties that spend more per person, and makes economic sense when there's excess demand for large parties.

SourceBoston College·JournalJournal of Service Research·DateMay 9, 2011

When the pressure is on, product experts can get facts wrong: UBC study

A recent UBC study reveals that experts with specific product knowledge can make mistakes when relying on their memories to compare products. The researchers found that a feeling of accountability and pressure to give the best recommendations can lead to false recalls, especially in complex goods such as cameras, cars, and computers.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateApr 12, 2011

Some firms benefit from increased spending despite recession

Researchers found that business-to-business products firms and consumer services firms benefit from increased R&D spending during recessions. Consumer goods firms do not obtain positive stock returns from R&D spending, while those with high market share and low financial leverage decrease their profits with increased advertising spending.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Marketing·DateDec 22, 2010

Shopping religiously

A Tel Aviv University researcher discovered that a consumer's religiosity has a significant impact on their likelihood of choosing particular brands. Secular populations are more prone to defining their self-worth through loyalty to corporate brands, while religious consumers are less likely to display explicit brand preference.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalMarketing Science·DateNov 15, 2010

'Training away stereotypes'

A study by Saleem Alhabash and colleagues found that individuals conditioned to reject racial stereotypes showed increased attention to commercials with black actors, while those in the affirmation condition decreased their attention. This paradigm demonstrates the power of media training in shaping audience responses.

Impending death for paper coupons?

A University of Arizona research team found that digital coupons are often difficult to use due to technical issues with redemption and cashier knowledge. The study suggests that a more convenient and user-friendly experience is needed to make digital coupons successful.

UH Manoa professor finds Muslim women who wear headscarves face workplace discrimination in the US

A recent study by Professor Sonia Ghumman at the University of Hawaii at Manoa found that Muslim women who wear hijabs face significant workplace discrimination in the US. The survey revealed that 22% of respondents were personally denied work due to their attire, highlighting a pervasive issue of religious intolerance.

SourceUniversity of Hawaii at Manoa·JournalJournal of Organizational Behavior·DateSep 28, 2010

U of M research finds ovulating women unconsciously buy sexier clothing to outdo attractive women

A study from the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management found that ovulating women prefer sexier fashion products when thinking about local, attractive women, to entice a desirable mate. This behavior is not conscious and applies only during the ovulation phase, with no effect on non-ovulating women.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateAug 4, 2010

Learning from experience? Multisensory tools create discerning wine lovers

A new study found that providing wine aficionados with accurate sensory descriptors improves their ability to resist misleading advertising and form accurate memories. This research has implications for other products like music, gourmet food, or movies, where multisensory advertising can engage and direct the learning process.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateMay 18, 2010

Being a standout has its benefits, study shows

Researchers found that individual wasps benefit from being recognizable, as they are less likely to be targeted in aggressive encounters. This finding suggests that diversity may promote group stability, extending beyond wasp societies to potentially influence human facial variation and social interactions.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalEvolution·DateOct 15, 2009

Will this trip be exciting? Consumers respond best to vacation ads that match current emotions

A study in the Journal of Consumer Research found that consumers respond best to vacation ads that match their current emotions, whether it's excitement or relaxation. The researchers suggest that marketers can facilitate a positive impression by displaying products in contexts where pre-existing feelings align with the product's claims.

SourceUniversity of Chicago Press Journals·JournalJournal of Consumer Research·DateOct 13, 2009

Organic or local?

A study found that consumers' willingness to pay for organic and local produce is similar, but purchasing frequency differs. Consumers prioritize freshness, safety, and health when buying locally grown produce, while emphasizing health and safety attributes for organic produce.