Many advertisers have argued that 15-second television commercials should be used only to reinforce effects created by longer commercials. However, this recommendation is based on studies that have several weaknesses, including use of single exposure levels, established commercials, and learning as the primary dependent variable. Reported are the findings of a laboratory experiment which compares the effectiveness of 15-second television commercials and 30-second television commercials by using novel commercials with different message appeals (informational vs. emotional), exposing subjects multiple times, and employing multiple dependent variables. Results indicate that informational 15-second commercials are as effective as informational 30-second commercials in several situations and can be used as standalone units. It is also shown that emotional 30-second commercials are superior to emotional 15-second commercials in influencing a viewer's learning of brand name and attitude. The reasons for and the implications of these findings are considered.

The Effects of Length, Content, and Repetition on Television Commercial Effectiveness

This research explores how fast-forwarding through commercials alters the visual attention of viewers and how marketers can tailor advertisements to retain effectiveness as digital video recorder usage rises. Building on prior work in visual marketing and perceptual psychology, the authors conduct two eye-tracker studies that show how fast-forwarding viewers pay more attention during commercials, but their attention is heavily limited to the center of the screen. Fast-forwarded advertisements containing brand information at screen center still create brand memory even with a 95% reduction in frames and complete loss of audio, whereas advertisements with brand information located elsewhere are of virtually no value. A third study shows that fast-forwarded commercials containing extensive central brand information can positively affect brand attitude, behavioral intent, and even actual choice behavior. These findings show that marketers can counteract the negative effects of digital video recorders...

Breaking Through Fast-Forwarding: Brand Information and Visual Attention

Using the P3a to gauge automatic attention to interactive television advertising

This study explores the effects of interacting with three current interactive television (iTV) ad formats, using an Australian audience panel. Interaction with iTV ads has positive effects on awareness and net positive thoughts, which increase purchase intentions compared with the influence of regular ads. The telescopic format represents the best format, likely because it makes the most of the entertaining possibilities of iTV by offering additional long-form video; its superior performance cannot be explained readily by self-selection effects. The results suggest that the effectiveness of iTV ads should be measured by their interaction rate rather than the much smaller response rate, and iTV advertisers should consider ways to maximize interaction and response rates.

/pdf/a-comparison-of-three-interactive-television-ad-formats-4veppgwcue.pdf

A Comparison of Three Interactive Television AD Formats

This research investigated the use of consumer neuroscience to improve and determine the effectiveness of action/emotion-based public health and social cause (HSC) advertisements. Action-based advertisements ask individuals to ‘do something’ such as ‘act’, ‘share’, make a ‘pledge’ or complete a ‘challenge’ on behalf of a brand, such as doing ‘something good, somewhere, for someone else’. Public health messages as noncommercial advertisements attempt to positively change behavioural intent or increase awareness. Australian health expenditure was $180.7 billion AUD (Australian dollars) in 2016/17 with $17 million AUD spent on government health campaigns. However, evaluation of health advertisement effectiveness has been difficult to determine. Few studies use neuroscience techniques with traditional market research methods. A 2-part study with an exploratory design was conducted using (1) electroencephalography (EEG) using a 64 channel EEG wet cap (n = 47); and (2) a Qualtrics online psychometric survey (n = 256). Participants were asked to make a donation before and after viewing 7 HSC digital/social media advertisements and logos (6 action/emotion-based; 1 control) to measure changes in behavioural intent. Attention is considered a key factor in determining advertising effectiveness. EEG results showed theta synchronisation (increase)/alpha desynchronisation (decrease) indicating attention with episodic memory encoding. sLORETA results displayed approach responses to action/emotion-based advertisements with left prefrontal and right parietal cortex activation. EEG and survey results showed the greatest liking for the ManUp action/emotion-based advertisement which used male facial expressions of raw emotion and vulnerability. ManUp also had the highest increased amount donated after viewing. Lower theta amplitude results for the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) action/emotion-based advertisement indicated that novel (possessing distinct features) rather than attractive/conventional faces were more appealing, while the rapid presentation of faces was less effective. None of the highest peak amplitudes for each ad occurred when viewing brand logos within the advertisement. This research contributes to the academic consumer neuroscience, advertising effectiveness, and social media literature with the use of action/challenge/emotion-based marketing strategies, which remains limited, while demonstrating the value in combining EEG and neuroscientific techniques with traditional market research methods. The research provides a greater understanding of advertising effectiveness and changes in behavioural intent with managerial implications regarding the effective use of action/challenge/emotion-based HSC communications to potentially help save a life and reduce expenditure on ineffectual HSC marketing campaigns.

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/9/4/42/pdf

Consumer Neuroscience and Digital/Social Media Health/Social Cause Advertisement Effectiveness.

Purpose - Assess whether a new type of TV advertising format, telescopic advertising, results in increased advertising effectiveness.

Design/methodology/approach - Reports on how personal video recorders (PVRs) are generally regarded as being detrimental to consumer exposure to advertisements. Suggests that PVRs may result in new models of advertising, including 'telescopic' advertising that allows consumers to access additional audio-visual advertising content on demand. Features a study conducted in Australia examining the potential effectiveness of telescopic advertising by comparing it with two traditional advertising formats (the 30-second commercial and the long-format commercial). Drawing on a relevant literature review to present a number of hypotheses that were tested on 154 students at an Australian university.

Findings - Puts forward how the telescopic advertising was found to be more effective than both forms of traditional advertising; outlines how it was more effective with regard to attitude towards the advertisement, brand and the behavioural intentions of consumers toward the brand. Measure whether novelty effected the findings; student sample.

Originality/value - Provides evidence that telescopic advertising makes consumers more likely to buy the advertised product.

/pdf/effectiveness-of-telescopic-advertisements-delivered-via-3yfat7eb5f.pdf

Nicholas Reading

Papers

Effectiveness of telescopic advertisements delivered via personal video recorders