March 2011

An interesting experiment in Sweden shows that behavior can be modified by nothing more than the introduction of "fun." Adding the piano-key musical steps dramatically increased use of the stairs. This experiment is part of a…

Back in 2009, we reported on what seemed to be a secret neuromarketing lab in Austin operated by Disney. As much as we hear about neuro-cinema and neuro-enhanced movies, it seems that Disney's goal is more prosaic: determining which…

Compelling, emotion-rich adjectives can give bland copy a major boost in effectiveness. (Just like the start of that sentence!) I was reminded of this while viewing a Panera menu. Which do you think sounds more appealing: Ham,…

Here's more evidence that inanimate objects can spark human emotions... In Japan, testing of a robot baby called "Babyloid" has been completed and commercial production is set to begin. The purpose of the baby-bots is to engage the…

Every merchant seems to have a loyalty program these days. It makes sense to reward customers for their patronage and encourage even greater frequency. But, it appears there's one kind of loyalty reward that may be more effective.…