Comparing apples to sliced apples When scent is central to a product, on-pack imagery that evokes that scent increases consumer preference. And the more the image stimulates scent, the greater that preference becomes. Fernando Arendar explains Sharma and Estes’ research: “People consistently preferred the versions with scent-related images. They imagined stronger aromas and rated the …

Shipmates wanted It’s all systems go here at Watch Me Think towers and we’re looking for 2 new people who can fit in with, amplify and add to a company that doesn’t do things by the book, just the comic.  If you know someone, or know someone who knows someone, we’d be eternally grateful if …

Grab some popcorn… A lil’ while back we shared Mark Ritson’s article on Liquid Death neglecting product.  But now Will Poskett has entered the chat. And he thinks Ritson is wrong, wrong, wrong and wrong some more: “In short, product differentiation and innovation are very limited in the commoditized bottled water category. Yet despite these …

Look away, Peter Pan Here’s a chin stroker for you: Legal definitions aside, how do you know when you’re an adult? Megan Wright and Sophie von Stumm have surveyed 722 people to find out: “The research suggests that many people define adulthood more by psychological markers than by social milestones – in other words, adulthood …

The Kolenda Code Nick Kolenda has picked up a controller, hammered in Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A and unlocked the pricing cheat code. Behold his 42 pricing tactics, including: Mapping the forest A certain Byron Sharp once said that paid search is like shelf-space. And so it’d make sense that …

Have the last laugh The use of humour in advertising has nosedived over the last 15 years. As of 2020 just 34% of adverts were funny or lighthearted, down from 53% in 2004. And the bottom line isn’t laughing either. Recent studies have shown humorous adverts tend to be more effective, and have a significant, …

Happy New Year and all that (at what point should we stop saying that?); welcome to another year of poking bears and kicking sandcastles in The100.  Are you sitting comfortably? The not-yet-trending report Trend predictions are often as much use as an inflatable dartboard. Yet Pinterest may just be onto something with their Pinterest Predicts …

Bias Firewall Martin Agency has published a tremendous tool called The Visibility Brief. The aim of the document is to help us ask better questions, broaden perspectives and do more representative work. It’s advertising focused, but applies itself just as well to research. Also excellent is The Outside Directory, which lists UK creatives from everywhere …