Category Archives: Ethics

Expanding our understanding of consumer vulnerability

This piece was co-written with Kathryn Chalmers Consumer vulnerability is often described in terms of consumer characteristics or demographics such as age, disability, gender, race/ethnicity, low or limited literacy, and level of education. In general, these measures are useful indicators … Continue reading

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The new world of communication, and its implications for children’s health

During the past forty years global rates of overweight and obesity have risen dramatically. In 2010 more than 155 million children worldwide were overweight (more than one in ten) and of these approximately 30-45 million were obese, or between two … Continue reading

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Two hour game of squash, anyone?

When you walk into Hungry Jacks, or McDonalds, or Kentucky Fried Chicken (aka KFC), and order your Whopper Value Meal, Big Mac Value Meal, or Ultimate Burger Meal, what does 1430kj, 2590kj and 3800kj (approx.) mean to you? Probably not … Continue reading

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Why schools and corporate brands shouldn’t mix

The furore following the announcement that Jenny Craig CEO Amy Smith would address a gathering of hundreds of girls’ school teachers has once again brought the uncomfortable issue of corporate presence in schools to light. The public response – that … Continue reading

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Google’s New Privacy Rules

An interview with me, and others, on Triple J’s Hack program, about the way that Google collects your information and uses it to target you with ads.  

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How people choose in volatile times

In a 2008 paper on neuroeconomics, Carnegie Mellon University economist George Loewenstein said: “Whereas psychologists tend to view humans as fallible and sometime even self-destructive, economists tend to view people as efficient maximisers of self-interest who make mistakes only when … Continue reading

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Competition… at any cost

Global food giant Heinz has made a bit of a fuss about the growth of private-label or in-house brands in our major supermarkets. William Johnson, executive chairman, CEO and president of the $US16.4 billion company, complained to shareholders in the … Continue reading

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My name is [insert name here] and I’m a Mormon

I’ve written a lot about the effectiveness of advertising elsewhere on tribalinsight, and more specifically whether the advertising of religion is going to lead to converts. But thanks to a call from a current affairs program, I was recently alerted … Continue reading

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Plain cigarette packaging will change smokers… gradually

When it comes to branding and advertising, much of what we are exposed to creates only marginal differences. But small differences can build into larger differences. Even small differences can tip the balance toward a particular choice. And in marketing, … Continue reading

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When advertising is shocking

On New Years day, as the Victorian and Northern Territory governments followed NSW, WA and the ACT by implementing laws preventing cigarettes from being put on display to the public, the Australian Medical Association called for a $25 million TV … Continue reading

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