Recent research, including MRI and EEG studies of brain activity, shows that shopping – not the actual purchase, but the process of looking at what’s available and anticipating a purchase – causes a spike in dopamine, a chemical in your brain that causes pleasure. This momentary high is almost entirely responsible for all those clothes…
The internet has became a popular way for consumers to get answers to their health questions. But not all potential patients are looking online. Only about 20% of those 65 and older seek health information on the web – but a fourth of those make decisions based on what they find. As age drops, the…
A recent study in the Journal of Marketing examined the relationship between customer satisfaction and customer loyalty, and concluded that the link between satisfaction and continued purchases is weaker than you think. The study recommends that you spend less time asking customers if they’re satisfied and more time asking defecting customers why they leave. They…
While lore surrounding Santa Claus is centuries old, the modern version Americans know was probably first described in the 1800s in Clement Clarke Moore’s poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (often referred to as “The Night Before Christmas”). But it was artist Haddon Sundblom who created our plump, bearded Santa in the red suit for…
The price of postage may be set to increase in 2006, but direct mail remains one of the most cost effective ways to target a very specific audience. But if you go postal, remember these tips: make your list as focused as possible; have a message that your target reader will relate to instantly; include…
As you focus on marketing, especially for new products or new ventures, remember to include internal marketing to your own people and key stakeholders as an important early step. Turning them into “evangelists” can be critical to your continued success.
Looking for inspiration? Try “Walt Disney: An American Original” by Rob Thomas. It’s a fascinating biography of a man who faced every crisis that can challenge a company, from bankruptcy and the loss of key staff to staggering debt and harsh reviews – and emerged as one of the most iconic success stories of modern…
After buying five tea plantations in Ceylon in 1890, Scottish grocer Thomas Lipton started selling tea in individual packets, rather than in the open chests in which it had always been sold. Sales were brisk (sorry – we couldn’t resist) and four million packets flew off the shelves that first year. Today, more than half…
Think every American has a cell phone? When it comes to the percentage of the population who’ve gone wireless, we’re not even in the top ten. In fact, the #10 country (Norway) has nearly twice as many cell phones per capita as we do. Those Norwegians are a chatty bunch.
Billboards have seen a huge surge in popularity lately, but many are undermined by the two cardinal sins of outdoor advertising – too much information, and design that’s either too busy or lacks contrast.