Using the computer vision method, this study proposes an analytical model of visual aesthetics for brand communication and analyzes the effects of visual features (i.e., colors and visual complexit...

Abstract Harlow Gale is often depicted as the first experimentalist in advertising thought. This positioning elides influences which impacted upon his thinking. In this article, we outline Gale’s involvement with psychical research and its implications for advertising. These narratives are situated within a genealogy of subliminal processes across advertising and marketing theory from the late nineteenth

Abstract Drawing upon regulatory fit theory, the current work investigates how the interaction between regulatory mode and positive emotion influences consumer social media engagement with meat alternative advertisements. Social media data (N = 966) are employed to explore the interaction between regulatory mode (from the text) and positive emotion (expressed via emoji) on sharing (Study 1). Three

abstract Advertisements that incorporate temperature-related cues are common in the marketplace. However, when and for whom marketers should use these temperature-based appeals in their ads is still unclear. To fill this research gap, we examine the effect of consumers’ feelings of power on preferences for cold versus warm advertisements. Through the lens of embodied cognition, we find that consumers

Abstract Empowering customers through participation is known to enhance brand promotion. A popular strategy involves asking customers to vote on marketing communication tactics, which activates empowerment effects through increased psychological ownership. Prior research has found that while winning voters experience empowerment effects, losing voters report lower psychological ownership, product evaluations

Abstract Although in-stream video advertising is common, its effects on advertisement (ad) information encoding remain unclear. We investigated the effects of in-stream video advertising by comparing two groups: those watching mid-roll (between the program) ads and those watching pre- and post-roll (before and after the program, respectively) ads. To elucidate how advertising content is encoded in

Published in Journal of Advertising (Vol. 52, No. 4, 2023)

Published in Journal of Advertising (Vol. 52, No. 4, 2023)

Abstract Much research has been conducted to understand the impact of sexual appeals in advertising on consumer attitudes and behaviors. Yet, romantic advertising, advertising that focuses on romantic relationships, has received less scholarly attention. To counter this imbalance, the present research investigates the influence of attachment anxiety, an individual difference variable, on consumer reactions

Abstract Inclusive design considers usability first: to design with the needs of everyone to decrease the mismatch between the end-user and the design object. In advertising, the mismatch may be in the opportunity to process an advertisement due to design strategies (i.e., executional ad cues). Based on the Motivation-Opportunity-Ability model of information processing, we focus on legibility as an

Abstract While prior work has examined the effects of emotions on consumers’ attitudes toward ads, little research has explored how the joint presence of positive and negative emotions affects ad-related outcomes and to what extent such ads are common. This research leverages recent advances in emotion recognition technology to identify emotions based on the facial expressions of actors in Super Bowl

Brands have been increasingly speaking up on sociopolitical issues (so-called brand activism advertising) to showcase their nonneutrality and drive meaningful societal changes. Yet little is known about how brands can strategize brand activism advertising to effectively engage consumers and benefit companies. Drawing upon the frameworks of transcendent media experiences, color, and message framing

Abstract How would consumers respond to mobile ads in spatially and temporally bounded captive environments? We theorize that consumers who are forced to wait are likely to perceive an abundance of time and ultimately become more responsive to mobile ads. To test our theory, we conducted three studies following a multimethod approach. In Study 1, a large-scale field study (n = 66,473), we found a relationship

Abstract Many print ads are not on flat surfaces but rounded ones. For example, billboards, which are flat, are common examples of advertising, but there are also ads on telephone poles, which are curved. Even modern computer and television monitors are increasingly available in curved, not flat, surfaces, meaning that online ads in the future are more and more likely to be shown on curved surfaces

Abstract Celebrity endorsement is a common advertising strategy, yet, as well-known scandals show, it is not without risk. Studies at the marketing–finance interface investigate how negative publicity surrounding a celebrity endorser affects firm value, though without determining how such events might spill over to the sponsor firms’ competitors and their stock prices. To address this research gap

Abstract Creative media advertising is a specific type of unconventional advertising in which a regular physical object serves as a medium to carry an advertising message. To better understand the workings of this type of advertising, we conducted a meta-analysis. In this study, we explore the direct effects of creative media advertising, several moderators, and the possible underlying mechanisms.

Abstract Targeted political advertising (TPA) on social media builds on tailoring messages to (groups of) individuals’ characteristics based on user data. Questions have been raised about the impact of TPA on recipients and society. In this study, we focus on the fit of TPA, that is, the congruence between TPA and recipients’ preferences, and draw on congruity theories, social identity theory (SIT)

Abstract For an academic field to remain vital, it is necessary to reflect upon its conceptual foundations and learn from adjacent disciplines. On that note, aesthetics can provide significant insights into advertising. While aesthetic elements have received attention in advertising research, no systematic attempts have been made to provide a comprehensive overview of this literature. The purpose of

Abstract Content created by employing artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, also known as synthetic content, promises to radically change the advertising and marketing landscape in the coming decades, presumably for the better. It is fundamental for advertising and marketing scholars and practitioners to have solid knowledge of how synthetic content is perceived by consumers before widespread adoption

Abstract This article extends the literature on consumers’ responses to green claims and their intentions to buy green products. We used an experimental approach based on three complementary studies. The first compares the effects of two claims regarding different levels of a company’s environmental commitment. The second examines whether consumers can recognize exaggerated claims. The third analyzes

Abstract White space (empty space) is an important factor in visual ad design, yet few studies focus on the specific types of white space and their influence on ad design. In this research, we systematically review white space literature; identify two types of white space, termed interspace (space in between a product layout) and circumspace (space surrounding a product layout); and investigate their

Abstract Despite its high incidence in the workplace, boredom is yet to be examined in the context of the creative studio. This concern is particularly pertinent because creative personality types are reported to be more boredom prone than others and because, in general, boredom is negatively associated with motivation, a key determinant of creativity and workplace performance. Using control-value

Abstract Brand-related content cocreated by consumers can play a crucial role in brand–consumer interactions and provide brands with valuable insights hidden in vast seas of unstructured data. We propose and evaluate a framework integrating a social network approach and scalable automated content analysis of texts and visuals for studying brand-related communication on social media. To illustrate the

Abstract Even though the use of silhouettes in advertising is prevalent, knowledge about their impact on consumers is surprisingly limited. In this research, I propose that the use of human silhouettes, when compared to images of attractive human models, enhances advertising effectiveness by reducing the extent to which consumers experience self-threat when viewing an ad referent. In addition, I predict

Published in Journal of Advertising (Vol. 52, No. 1, 2023)

Abstract Virtual influencers, generated on the computer, are changing the advertising industry. More and more brands utilize virtual instead of human influencers as endorsers for their marketing campaigns for a variety of reasons, e.g., better control of the influencer’s behavior, cost savings, or zeitgeist motives (desire to be “up to date”). However, there is currently little research on whether

Abstract Artificially created characters – virtual influencers – amass millions of followers on social media and affect digital natives’ engagement and decisionmaking in remarkable ways. Guided by the Uses and Gratification (U&G) approach and the Uncanny Valley Theory, this study seeks to understand this phenomenon. By looking into followers’ engagement with virtual influencers, this study identifies

Abstract An increasing number of consumers expect brands to engage in important societal issues. Brands like Procter & Gamble, Microsoft, and Gillette have launched ads promoting their stances on highly salient issues in public discourse. While corporate social responsibility (CSR) advertising research has explored issues such as skin cancer, heart disease, and abortion, this research stream has yet

Abstract Many brand collaboration platforms—such as sponsorship, celebrity endorsement, influencer marketing, product placement, cobranding, and human branding—build strong relationships between brands and contribute to the brand equity of two or more brands. Brand equity, since inception, has been concerned with the value of a brand, how this value is built and measured, and how the marketplace responds

Abstract In today’s online environment, children inevitably encounter personalized advertising. However, research suggests that children are not yet able to cope with this advertising type. This study therefore investigates whether literacy training helps children recognize personalized advertising. The 2 (personalized versus nonpersonalized ad) × 2 (literacy training versus no training) between-subjects

Published in Journal of Advertising (Vol. 51, No. 5, 2022)

Abstract Technological developments have changed the advertising landscape by extending the possibilities to collect, process, and share consumer data to optimize advertising. These developments have made data collection and consequently dataveillance—the automated, continuous, and sometimes unspecific collection, storage, and processing of digital traces—central concepts for advertising scholarship

Abstract The concept of the metaverse was first coined in the science fiction novel Snow Crash published 30 years ago, serving as the pregenesis concept of the next groundbreaking development in communication and technology fields for several decades. Today, the concept of the metaverse is complicated and often discussed as a multidimensional notion, generally referring to multiple interconnected virtual

Abstract Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming advertising theory and practice. However, while applications of AI abound, it appears that not enough questions are being asked about the ontological, technical, and ethical consequences of artificially intelligent advertising ecosystems. Given the pace and unpredictability of technological change, this article adopts a question-driven approach

Abstract When powered by artificial intelligence (AI), the effectiveness of advertising generally improves. However, evidence shows that personalized recommendations in charity advertising may have a dark side. The existing literature about the effects of personalized recommendations in advertising is rooted primarily in outcome utility, including outcome benefits and costs. Nevertheless, consumers

Abstract Advertisers have begun to acknowledge that an increasing number of consumers do not support the traditional gender binary, believing that gender is dynamic and lies on a continuum. Changing views, practices, and findings regarding gender are not well addressed in current advertising research due to a lack of knowledge regarding newer gender terminologies and a reliance on incompatible gender

Abstract This article presents a systematic review of the nostalgia literature (205 articles) using PRISMA protocols. It dwells on three questions: What do we know about nostalgia? What do we need to know about nostalgia? and Where should we be heading? The article examines the evolution of nostalgia, analyzes the definitions of nostalgia (past–memory–yearning–ambivalent emotion), and extends the nostalgia

Abstract Advertisers and marketers increasingly adopt and invest in audiovisual formats for their communications. In contrast, academic researchers often rely on static visual stimuli to test advertising- and marketing-related research questions. In this research note, we discuss whether and how academic research could benefit from the ability to develop and use dynamic audiovisual stimuli and we consider

Abstract This article analyzes and integrates the 60 nominated articles for the best articles in the Journal of Advertising from its first 50 years, with a focus on the final 15 that were selected as the overall best articles. Hence, the purpose of this article is to highlight the contributions of these articles and their overall influence on advertising research. To this end, the authors synthesize

Published in Journal of Advertising (Vol. 51, No. 5, 2022)

Published in Journal of Advertising (Vol. 51, No. 5, 2022)

Abstract As consumers are exposed to thousands of advertisements daily, researchers have sought to understand what makes people remember certain brands better than they remember others. Metaphors like Carvana’s vending machines and taglines like “Red Bull gives you wings” have increasingly become a powerful way for marketers to communicate brand attributes. In this study, we sought to characterize

Abstract The 50th anniversary of the Journal of Advertising launch is an opportune moment to dialogue among the past, present, and future and offer a fruitful vision for the possibilities of advertising. In this paper, we advance a new subfield that we call transformative advertising research (TAR). TAR examines problems and opportunities across the advertising system with the goal of transforming

Abstract Emojis are being increasingly used in different types of communications, including in advertising campaigns. One emoji, the smiley face, has been an important part of consumers’ informal communications. Interestingly, smiley faces now also appear in marketing communications, advertisements, and brand logos. The present research examines the role of smiley faces in restaurant logos as a form

Published in Journal of Advertising (Vol. 51, No. 4, 2022)

Abstract We model the effect of online information search across mobile (smartphone and tablet) and nonmobile (personal computer [PC], both desktop and laptop) platforms on frequency of purchasing per online shopping session. Using clickstream data from a multinational retailer, we find that device modality drives purchase frequency, likely due to the differential ease of use of PCs, tablets, and smartphones

Abstract Experiments in psychology suggest that an incubation phase during idea generation can be beneficial. The incubation phase involves taking a break from thinking about the creative problem, usually by performing a distraction task. However, no studies test the influence of incubation phases in advertising tasks. In-depth interviews among 12 advertising creatives emphasize the practical relevance

Published in Journal of Advertising (Vol. 51, No. 3, 2022)

Abstract Ad avoidance (e.g., “blinding out” digital ads) is a substantial problem for advertisers. Avoiding mobile banner ads differs from active ad avoidance in nonmobile (desktop) settings, because mobile phone users interact with ads to avoid them: (1) They classify new content at the bottom of their screens; if they see an ad, they (2) scroll so that it is out of the locus of attention and (3)

Abstract Crowdsourcing has emerged as a preferred data collection methodology for advertising and social science researchers because these samples avoid the higher costs associated with professional panel data. Yet, there are ongoing concerns about data quality for online sources. This research examines differences in data quality for an advertising experiment across five popular online data sources

Abstract This research explores consumers’ responses to sexual appeals in advertisements in the context of access-based consumption. The results indicate that male consumers’ responses toward sexual appeals are more negative when the advertised products are access based (versus ownership based). For female consumers, sexual appeals lead to equally negative responses in the two consumption modes (Study

Abstract Many advertising constructs vary considerably in how they are defined and operationalized—variations which result from changes in definitions and operationalizations over time and between studies. These changes undermine the comparability of empirical insights, challenge the integration of insights into an existing body of knowledge, and thereby impede knowledge development in advertising

Abstract Storytelling is a common tactic used by marketers to connect with consumers and persuade through narrative transportation. While researchers have explored how narrative transportation can be generated through many different mediums, little research has investigated how narrative transportation can be achieved through a single image, such as those used for print ads and billboards. This research

Abstract Using an experimental tool that tracks viewers’ real-time ad-skipping behavior, the current research tested when and why a highly arousing emotional appeal ad that induces a set of complex discrete emotions can reduce the ad-skipping rate on social media platforms such as YouTube. Across three experiments, we showed the following results. First, the ad-skipping rate of emotional appeal ads

Published in Journal of Advertising (Vol. 51, No. 2, 2022)

Abstract Eudaimonic narratives, which past work identifies as stories featuring themes related to virtue and life’s higher purpose, are increasingly prevalent in advertisements and marketing communications. The current research examines whether this type of narrative achieves advertiser-desired outcomes. If these outcomes are achieved, how? The results from five studies demonstrate that eudaimonic

Abstract Past research has delineated the use of celebrity endorsements as an effective marketing strategy that bolsters brand image and stimulates purchase intentions. However, there is a paucity of research investigating the role of celebrities in brand transgression contexts. Across two experimental studies, we examine whether and how celebrity endorsers influence consumers’ reactions toward an

Abstract Firms often emphasize “green” benefits for products that are only partially more sustainable than alternatives (e.g., a more sustainable packaging with similar product ingredients). The current article posits that such strategies can lead to a perceived claim–fact discrepancy and examines to what extent this makes consumers feel deceived and detracts from attitudes and purchase intentions

Abstract Services and economic growth are inseparably connected in developed economies. However, digitally enabled transactions continue to transform how services are conceptualized, produced, and delivered around the world. These changes blur the lines between goods and services by creating new combinations of products that call into question fundamental generalizations of the traditional services

Abstract Out-of-home (OOH) advertising is an important and prominent component in many advertising campaigns. Yet the medium is underresearched, and scholarly research is highly fragmented. The purpose of this systematic review is to consolidate the extant OOH advertising literature, identify gaps within and among the disparate and multidisciplinary research streams, and offer a theoretically grounded