Category Archives: Ethics

Expanding our understanding of consumer vulnerability

Posted on 18/03/2013 by

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 →

Posted in Consumer Behavior, Ethics, Human Behavior, Marketing Strategy, Research, Social Psychology | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

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

Posted on 28/12/2012 by

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 →

Posted in Essay, Ethics, Human Behavior, Marketing Strategy, Philosophy, Research, Social Psychology, Tribal | Leave a comment

Two hour game of squash, anyone?

Posted on 07/08/2012 by

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

Posted on 29/03/2012 by

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 →

Posted in Advertising, Branding, Consumer Behavior, Essay, Ethics, Human Behavior, Marketing Strategy, Philosophy, Social Psychology | Leave a comment

Google’s New Privacy Rules

Posted on 01/03/2012 by

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

Posted on 01/03/2012 by

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

Posted on 24/11/2011 by

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 →

Posted in Branding, Consumer Behavior, Essay, Ethics, Human Behavior, Philosophy | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

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

Posted on 10/11/2011 by

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 →

Posted in Advertising, Essay, Ethics, Philosophy | 5 Comments

Plain cigarette packaging will change smokers… gradually

Posted on 08/04/2011 by

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 →

Posted in Advertising, Branding, Consumer Behavior, Ethics, Human Behavior, Marketing Strategy, Research | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

When advertising is shocking

Posted on 11/01/2011 by

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 →

Posted in Advertising, Consumer Behavior, Essay, Ethics, Research | Tagged , , | 1 Comment