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Controlling Consumer Spending Behavior: How Subliminal Advertising Targets Your Mind

Published January 11, 2007 by:
Thomas Majewski

More: Consumer Spending Subliminal Advertising Impulse Spending Mind Control

Consumer spending accounts for two thirds of the United State's gross domestic product. Thousands of companies are constantly fighting for a piece of that spending. Trillions of dollars are spent annually on goods and services by the consumer. Normally, this battle would be fought by advertisers hired by a company to create enticing ads highlighting the company's products and services. Advertising agencies will mainly use newspapers, magazines, TV ads, the Internet and radio to persuade consumers to spend their disposable income. However, the evidence points to a much more disturbing trend. That is the use of subliminal advertising.

Lately, corporations and institutions have ratcheted up the stakes with a blitz of subliminal advertising that aims to control consumer spending on a level never before seen. In other words, subliminal advertising has gone mainstream and the target is the mind of the consumer.

Advertising companies have known for years that the average consumer is like a zombie when it comes to buying products. They know what buttons to push to create a mindless consumer. That is; a consumer that will buy on impulse or that has been preprogrammed to purchase certain products or services. That is what subliminal advertising is all about; programming the consumer to behave a certain way. And corporations do a fantastic job of imprinting certain behavioral patterns into the mind of an unsuspecting person.

Subliminal advertising is not new. It has been around for decades. The newest forms of subliminal advertising are directly focused to control your mind. Such hidden persuasion can be found in fake news, targeted voice mails, propaganda and mind control scripts. As a consumer, you need to be aware of what you are up against. This is a list of some of the many subliminal advertising tricks in use right now. If you are having difficulties controlling your spending or saying no to pushy sales-persons, you might recognize some of these hidden sales tactics.


Neuromarketing


This is the use of high-tech equipment, such as MRIs, to detect and record subconscious thoughts. Corporations are working furiously to find the link between language and behavior. The Brighthouse Institute is one firm engaged in this research. It is based on the findings of psychologists such as Jung and Freud who studied the connection between language and behavior. The purpose is to create biologically seductive subliminal advertising. And thus further control consumer spending behavior.

In-store Manipulation


Impulse spending is being maximized through the use of visual displays, Muzak tapes and even mind altering scents. Studies have shown that people remain in stores for longer periods when certain kinds of music are played. In one study, consumers spent an average of $50 more when a mall was sprayed with airborne aromas. In supermarkets, the use of Planograms is widespread. This is the practice of rearranging items on store shelves in order to get customers to choose higher priced products. Companies pay big bucks for favored placement of their products.


Secret Agents


Marketers are using special "buzz" agents to promote products. These agents often use family and friends to spread the word about new products. The "buzz" agent will talk about new music, books, entertainment or fashions in an effort to get the younger generation excited about certain new products. Some agencies recruit agents in every major city. This method works very well because many teens want to have the latest things and not be left out of the loop.


Point of Sale Tactics


Sales persons will use targeted scripts to get you to make a purchase. This includes specially planned questions and answers designed to get you to spend on the spot. Sales-persons will presell or upsell you by using disassociation and distraction techniques. This creates the perfect setting for mental manipulation. Often, the victim will end up spending twice as much as planned and use credit to finance the purchase.


Planted News Stories


Special reports and stories are replacing the real news as Video News Releases (VNRs). VNRs are special packaged news items that are shown across several networks. These stories are often about some miracle drug or research report designed to promote a product or political message. Industry and public relations firms use these tactics regularly. VNRs are now used by every TV newsroom in America.

There are several other techniques used for subliminal advertising and creation of public opinion. Computers are being used to deliver voice mail messages to millions of phones in seconds. Computer aided virtual word-of-mouth chatbots are being used in Internet chat rooms. Personal computers are being data-mined as corporations track your browsing habits across the web. Pharmaceutical firms are creating false syndromes, like Social Anxiety Syndrome (SAD), to create markets for new drugs. And the government uses "opinion engineers" to manage public opinion of certain policies. Institutions of all kinds use special public perception campaigns to change their image or cover up their corruption. The list goes on and on.

Is it any wonder why we are continuously bombarded with advertising? Corporations, industry, institutions and governments have agendas aimed toward every person in America. The use of subliminal advertising techniques will only grow as technology advances. Corporations are becoming more concerned about public image than the products or services they sell. Public perception is the key, as well as maintaining a well known brand name.

Subliminal advertising is out to get you. This trend is growing daily. The purpose of subliminal advertising is to program your mind and take your money or shape your opinions. The idea is to get you to buy anything whether you need it or not. More sales creates more profits. And, they will sell you without batting an eye or you having the slightest idea of being manipulated.

Take a look around you and become aware of these techniques. They are real and designed to keep you spending and keep you broke. Then, they can sell you on needing finance counseling and credit repair. It is an endless cycle. Consumers are set up to over-purchase and stay in debt. Once your are hooked on spending, they can sell you the fix for your overindulgence. The shop-till-you-drop mentality is about to enter third gear as advertisers compete for control of your mind.