Does Advertising Really Work?

[35Pete]

Do you think it does? Do you think that marketing people can influence our buying habits? Steer us into ACME Cola versus ACE Cola?


What are your thoughts? Observations? This subject has always fascinated me.

Is it moral? Or just clever business methodology?

[Green Lantern]

I think it works on the unaware, and on captive audiences.

[nehemiah]

it works on everyone.

if you think you're NOT influenced by advertising - you're delusional or lying.

[Ru]

I do know that every time those Whopper commercials come on, I really, really want a ****ing Whopper.....NOW!!!

[Green Lantern]

it works on everyone.

if you think you're NOT influenced by advertising - you're delusional or lying.

What if you do not see it or hear it?

[Lucidvizion]

Even if all an ad does is make you aware of a product you were previously unaware of, it has succeeded.

[nehemiah]

What if you do not see it or hear it?impossible to get completely away from advertising.

it's pervasive.

[35Pete]

Even if all an ad does is make you aware of a product you were previously unaware of, it has succeeded.

But is that all it does? Marketing is only about product recognition? What about linking a product to success, or hot women, or money? Do you know what I mean?

Anyone have any ideas on this?

[Crinoline]

Do you think it does? Do you think that marketing people can influence our buying habits? Steer us into ACME Cola versus ACE Cola?


What are your thoughts? Observations? This subject has always fascinated me.

Is it moral? Or just clever business methodology?

You have advertising in you signature. Pot meet kettle.

[35Pete]

You have advertising in you signature. Pot meet kettle.

Very true. You could very well call that a form of advertising. Negative advertising, but advertising nonetheless.

And my Ron Paul banner certainly is advertising.

But Crinoline. What about companies that **** with our heads to get us to buy stuff? I know it affects me too. You can't keep your guard up against advertising 24/7.

In fact, I'm told that advertising works most effectively when you are really not paying attention.

This topic fascinates me. It really does.

[pcnorth22]

before I opened this I thought it was referring to political ads...which for, don't work...but I take the time read up on issues, background, etc...

however, advertising in the traditional sense works for me...actually packaging works wonders for me...if I'm walking through wegman's and some food looks cool, I'll probably try...I'm a sucker that way...

[Sparx]

It works. I try to avoid it as much as possible. Switching to different games during commercials, muting commercials, turning the radio down during them. As we advance in technology we're going to get more and more ads, until we are at Futurama level, where they're beaming advertisements about underwear into our dreams.

[ticatfan3]

Sure it does, even in the killing business,what makes a copy cat killer?

[slowpokemcgee]

For me advertising only works if it relates to the product being sold. For example the geico Fred Flintstone and Jed Clampett ones don't want me to buy Geico because it's just retarded. While the Truck commercials that show what the truck is capable of doing intrigue me.

[Ru]

I'm still trying to figure out why anyone would want to take a pill and then sit naked, holding hands in twin bathtubs outside on a scenic overlook.......wait....I think I have tried something like that before.

[35Pete]

For me advertising only works if it relates to the product being sold. For example the geico Fred Flintstone and Jed Clampett ones don't want me to buy Geico because it's just retarded. While the Truck commercials that show what the truck is capable of doing intrigue me.

The subconscious is very powerful. I'd bet that advertising has it's desired effect on you too. You just don't realize it.

I'd be hard pressed to find anyone that was immune to it IMO.

[shiva2999]

Who likes bacon and eggs for breakfast?

[35Pete]

I think it works on the unaware, and on captive audiences.

I'd have to say that people making 150+ a year that are hired to get you and I to buy someone's product have probably factored in both audiences that are paying attention and those that are distracted. Captive or in passing.

First rule of thumb as you know. Cover all bases.

Put it this way. It's not my profession. But if I thought of those requirements for maximal effect and they, the professionals haven't, then they are not up to snuff on what they are doing.

[Green Lantern]

I'd have to say that people making 150+ a year that are hired to get you and I to buy someone's product have probably factored in both audiences that are paying attention and those that are distracted. Captive or in passing.

First rule of thumb as you know. Cover all bases.

Put it this way. It's not my profession. But if I thought of those requirements for maximal effect and they, the professionals haven't, then they are not up to snuff on what they are doing.

I suppose it depends on how diluted your want to make the term advertising. On almost anything you could list, I purchase what I think is best or what I think is the closest to the best I can afford.

[35Pete]

I suppose it depends on how diluted your want to make the term advertising. On almost anything you could list, I purchase what I think is best or what I think is the closest to the best I can afford.

I am sure that you think so. And that you try. I think so too. And I also try.

I too try to see through the suggestive advertising. But I opine that it just isn't possible to be on guard against all of it.

[Green Lantern]

I am sure that you think so. And that you try. I think so too. And I also try.

I too try to see through the suggestive advertising. But I opine that it just isn't possible to be on guard against all of it.

The advertising I see does not apply to me. I buy tools, I buy food, I buy clothes, that is about it.

[35Pete]

The advertising I see does not apply to me. I buy tools, I buy food, I buy clothes, that is about it.

Well you are probably absolutely right as far as you know. Again, not a snide comment.

[JoeMama]

BRB, I just saw a bunch of products on TV that I didn't know existed but I desperately need!

[JMNY83]

It does work for the most part. It all depends on the advertising like how and when it's done. Advertising during football games pisses me off and makes me not want to buy the product simply for not letting me watch the damn game. Walmart does a great job. Some how they make a lot of money on the same product sold else where because of the simple fact they will sell something for $49.96 instead of $49.99 and it makes people feel like they are saving a lot of money.

[sabredan17]

There is no doubt that advertising is extremely effective. I work with urban retailers in the City of Buffalo and a big part of my job is marketing. Other than receiving sales reports from local businesses, we utilize pedestrian and vehicular traffic counts to gauge activity in the shopping districts. We always see significant spikes in all traffic when we run an ad campaign. We also see our web-hits go way up. Its all about telling people what they want to hear.