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Neuromarketers Pick the Brains of Consumers

Posted by Soulskill on from the ask-me-no-questions-and-i'll-tell-you-no-lies dept.

Pickens points out a story at The Guardian about the development of neuromarketing, the method by which advertisers track signals inside the brain to roughly extrapolate how a consumer reacts to products and advertisements. We've discussed this technique in the past, but now consulting firms are appearing who have begun to use this research to increase the effectiveness of their marketing practices. The author also notes a paper which elaborates on the scientific details (PDF). "At McLean Hospital, a prestigious psychiatric institution run by Harvard University, an advertising agency recently sponsored an experiment in which the brains of half-a-dozen young whiskey drinkers were scanned. The goal, according to a report in Business Week, was 'to gauge the emotional power of various images, including college kids drinking cocktails on spring break, twentysomethings with flasks around a campfire, and older guys at a swanky bar'. The results were used to fine-tune an ad campaign for the maker of Jack Daniels."

7 of 166 comments (clear)

  1. The "Neuromarketers" Said by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    "I thought I'd pick your brain 'cuz your nose was far too easy!"

  2. Re:why not skip the bullshit by Psychotria · · Score: 3, Funny

    Alternatively: "if you buy our product, you will sleep" seems a bit more reasonable, considering that the girl I met in a bar once didn't seem to think that me being drunk was a very good reason for her to sleep with me. I met another girl once, but I was sober and forgot how to talk.

  3. Obligatory Futurama Reference..... by IHC+Navistar · · Score: 2, Funny

    Prof: Farnsworth: "The ads get into your dreams the same way this liquid gets into this egg." (sticks syringe into egg. Egg pops and splatters) "Except instead of liquid, it's gamma radiation!"

    Wow. I thought that level of unleashed marketing was only good for cartoon humor.

    --
    Knowing Google's lust for data collection, the Soviet Union is still alive and well inside the psyche of Sergey Brin....
  4. Re:It probably isn't illegal now ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    by enough technical data you mean more naked women?

  5. One day in the office by EEPROMS · · Score: 2, Funny

    [Non descript Office worked walks up to a door marked "Marketing Dept" then opens it.]

    Marketing Dept "BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAINS"

    [Office worker quickly shuts door scratches head then opens it again]

    Marketing Dept BRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAINS WE WANT MORE BRAAAAAINS"

    [Office worked shakes head and quickly heads down the hall.]

  6. Re:It probably isn't illegal now ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Yeah, I don't see anything unethical either. If I kick you hard enough then the scream is still completely voluntary, right? I only helped you to let the scream out. Everybody has the need to scream every now and then, it's cathargic and healthy. I just got my kicks in before everyone else.

  7. Re:And here is what you are missing. by cp.tar · · Score: 2, Funny

    That's right.

    Subliminal (kill) messages (your) are (parents) just (then) an (kill) urban (yourself) legend.

    --
    Ignore this signature. By order.