Do you think subliminal advertising works? Does it have to be namebrand for you?

[cheerfulgreek]

I was reading the paper today and I read an article about subliminal advertising. There was a test that was conducted giving consumers both a lightweight and heavy tv remote control. The across the board response to the lighter-weight model was "It's broken." Even when they found out the lightweight remote was totally functional, shoppers still felt its quality was inferior. They were also saying that some tv remotes and MP3 players on the market today would weigh half of what they do if they weren't stuffed with completely useless wads of aluminum. Based on what I read, I guess customers believe the heavier objects they're holding are more sturdy and substantial. So, now I see why most people are willing to pay a higher price for them.

They also asked the question, saying that if someone offered you a choice of two new cars all expenses paid, they're the same model, the same make, the same color and both are decked out with the same accessories. There's only one difference. One is made in Turkey, and the other is manufactured in Switzerland. After I read that, I, of course would have taken the Swiss car. When I got to the bottom, it said that most people would take the Swiss car because of high standards and superb craftsmanship.

The guy that wrote the article said that a few years ago, he was helping a struggling perfume maker regain its footing in the market. He said he noticed that instead of the glamorous cities associated with perfume like Paris and Rome, the company listed middle-American cites on its labels. He said since the company had offices in Paris, London, New York and Rome, he persuaded its marketers to place those names on the bottle. He said that once the switch was made, sales shot up.

I don't know if I totally believe that it works on all consumers. I'll have to admit, I prefer certain namebrand products, because of the quality. The reason why, is because how did they get to be a namebrand? I'm willing to pay the higher price for better clothing and other high quality items because of their history of making great long lasting products. My mom has an LCD tv set, but it's a "Dynex". I never heard of that kind of tv before. She said she paid $500.00 for it. I noticed how clear it was, and it seemed to have high quality too, but just because something feels heavy, sturdy and looks great doesn't mean it's going to last. I go for the namebrand items. I don't know if I totally agree with purchasing an item because of its weight. I've felt MP3 players that were heavier than my ipod, but I highly doubt that its a better product. It depends on the name for me. The same for perfume. Of course it's the fragrance, but the label is just as important, to me.

Do you agree with the article? Do you prefer namebrand products/clothes etc? Or does it even matter?

[MysticCat]

Am I missing something? None of the examples given strike me as subliminal advertising. I thought that "subliminal" means unrecognized by the conscious mind but registered by the subconscious.

But to answer the question (or what I think is the question), sometimes namebrands matter to me, sometimes they don't.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Am I missing something? None of the examples given strike me as subliminal advertising. I thought that "subliminal" means unrecognized by the conscious mind but registered by the subconscious.

But to answer the question (or what I think is the question), sometimes namebrands matter to me, sometimes they don't.

Yeah, I'm a bit confused by the first post. I thought she was asking two different questions at first.

[SydneyK]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

I thought she was asking two different questions at first.

You mean, she isn't? I don't think any of her questions at the end have any connection to the bulk of her post (which has nothing to do, as far as I can tell, with the title of the thread).

[epchick]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

Yeah, I'm a bit confused by the first post. I thought she was asking two different questions at first.

But she is asking two different questions, isn't she? Whether we prefer name brand things and then whether we agree with the article (which had nothing to do with subliminal advertising).

I always thought the same thing as MysticCat. To me subliminal advertising is when you watch a movie/TV show or something and inbetween the scenes they show something really fast. You don't catch it with your eyes, but your subconscious (or whatever its called) catches it. Or when songs have hidden messages in them. That is what I thought subliminal advertising was.


Do I prefer namebrand products? Not really, but it helps. When I first was looking for a laptop, I was weary about buying my Acer. Why? Cause I had never heard of it before. It had more memory than the HP or Sony that I wanted (and was a lot cheaper) but I didn't want it b/c it was an Acer (although I did end up getting it).

[AGDee]

For me, it completely depends on the product on whether name brands are important or not. My first instinct was "No" because I don't buy designer purses, clothes, shoes, etc. However, name brands matter to me with electronics, cars, and some grocery items (like Jif)

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by SydneyK

You mean, she isn't? I don't think any of her questions at the end have any connection to the bulk of her post (which has nothing to do, as far as I can tell, with the title of the thread).

That's what I was driving at, I just didn't express myself all that clearly.

[33girl]

None of the first post has anything to do w/ subliminal advertising.

This makes me think of how Victoria's Secret used to put a London address in their ads. Of course, they're based in Ohio and have been as long as they've been around. The London address was just there to make it seem exotic, sophisticated & sexy.

Nowadays this kind of stuff doesn't work like it used to because you can go online and read a company's whole profile in 5 minutes.

[KSig RC]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Nowadays this kind of stuff doesn't work like it used to because you can go online and read a company's whole profile in 5 minutes.

I think this means it is marginally less effective, but I'm pretty sure it still has some positive utility. Especially considering most people are a.) dolts or b.) don't effectively use the internet, even today.

[PM_Mama00]

That's not subliminal. That's just plain ol marketing.

Watch that episode of Saved by the Bell. Cuz Zack is a blonde Tom Cruise.

[PrettyBoy]

Originally Posted by cheerfulgreek

I was reading the paper today and I read an article about subliminal advertising. There was a test that was conducted giving consumers both a lightweight and heavy tv remote control. The across the board response to the lighter-weight model was "It's broken." Even when they found out the lightweight remote was totally functional, shoppers still felt its quality was inferior. They were also saying that some tv remotes and MP3 players on the market today would weigh half of what they do if they weren't stuffed with completely useless wads of aluminum. Based on what I read, I guess customers believe the heavier objects they're holding are more sturdy and substantial. So, now I see why most people are willing to pay a higher price for them.

They also asked the question, saying that if someone offered you a choice of two new cars all expenses paid, they're the same model, the same make, the same color and both are decked out with the same accessories. There's only one difference. One is made in Turkey, and the other is manufactured in Switzerland. After I read that, I, of course would have taken the Swiss car. When I got to the bottom, it said that most people would take the Swiss car because of high standards and superb craftsmanship.

The guy that wrote the article said that a few years ago, he was helping a struggling perfume maker regain its footing in the market. He said he noticed that instead of the glamorous cities associated with perfume like Paris and Rome, the company listed middle-American cites on its labels. He said since the company had offices in Paris, London, New York and Rome, he persuaded its marketers to place those names on the bottle. He said that once the switch was made, sales shot up.

I don't know if I totally believe that it works on all consumers. I'll have to admit, I prefer certain namebrand products, because of the quality. The reason why, is because how did they get to be a namebrand? I'm willing to pay the higher price for better clothing and other high quality items because of their history of making great long lasting products. My mom has an LCD tv set, but it's a "Dynex". I never heard of that kind of tv before. She said she paid $500.00 for it. I noticed how clear it was, and it seemed to have high quality too, but just because something feels heavy, sturdy and looks great doesn't mean it's going to last. I go for the namebrand items. I don't know if I totally agree with purchasing an item because of its weight. I've felt MP3 players that were heavier than my ipod, but I highly doubt that its a better product. It depends on the name for me. The same for perfume. Of course it's the fragrance, but the label is just as important, to me.

Do you agree with the article? Do you prefer namebrand products/clothes etc? Or does it even matter?

To me it depends on the product. I'm not a big name brand clothes joker, but when it comes to shoes, and electronics, that's a different story. I guess I would be guilty of spending more money on something that felt as if it has more quality. Something that feels heavier would feel like it was better to me too. Personally, I think Ipods suck though. (No offense to the jokers on here that like/have one) You're extremely limited on how you can download on them, and they only have the name.

I always thought subliminal advertising was dealing with commercials like McDonalds for example. You see it, and then you want McDonalds. When I watch NASCAR, a few times when I saw Kevin Harvick use the Reese's sponsorship on his car, I got hungry for Reese's. That's what I thought subliminal advertising was.

[Senusret I]

What's Recees?

[AGDLynn]

Reese's Pieces (think ET, lol).

One morning on the way to work, I heard an advertisement for Sprite and realized that sound great! Only time I've ever heard it on the radio

[PrettyBoy]

Originally Posted by AGDLynn

Reese's Pieces (think ET, lol).

One morning on the way to work, I heard an advertisement for Sprite and realized that sound great! Only time I've ever heard it on the radio

Thanks. Spelled it wrong.

[cheerfulgreek]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Am I missing something? None of the examples given strike me as subliminal advertising. I thought that "subliminal" means unrecognized by the conscious mind but registered by the subconscious.

I don't see how. To me, I always thought subliminal advertising or hidden messages embedded in ads, are considered to be a deceptive business practice by the Federal Trade Commission. The way I read into it, I thought the article was referring to the legal kind of "subliminal" persuasion that happens every day.

Originally Posted by KSigkid

I thought she was asking two different questions at first.

I was.