Week 8 EOC: Subliminal Messaging

Subconscious stimuli messaging in advertisements are known as subliminal advertising.  Subliminal advertising uses subtle imagery, sounds, and content to attempt to influence the subconscious mind into making purchases of finding something to be appealing. http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-subliminal-advertising.htm “The subconscious mind is the most delicate part of the most delicate apparatus in the entire universe … It is not to be smudged, sullied or twisted in order to boost the sales of popcorn or anything else.” http://www.salon.com/1999/09/27/persuaders/print

The history of subliminal advertising started in 1957.  James Vicary, a market researcher inserted the words “Eat popcorn” and “Drink Coca-Cola” into a movie.  Vicary is credited with putting the term subliminal advertising into place, a claim that caused the US Central Intelligence Agency to write a complete report about this practice. This caused obvious subliminal advertising to be banned from all advertising in the United States by 1958.   

http://www.businessinsider.com/subliminal-ads-2011-5?op=1

Quick flashes of images shown in movies or television are some of the most common forms of subliminal advertising.  Most consumers don’t notice right away, but they have an influence on the mind.  Back-masking is what this is often referred to in the music and film industry.  “Once clients look at things in a semiotic way, they never go back,” says Virginia Valentine, president of Semiotic Solutions, whose clients include Coca-Cola, Mazda, Safeway, and SmithKline Beecham. http://www.salon.com/1999/09/27/persuaders

 “It gives them such an advantage over their competitors,” Cohen tells me. “When they own the consumer mind — when they create such a perfect fit with her underlying identity needs — they become that much more powerful … It’s fascinating to see how far companies have come in recognizing that.” Dr. Sam Cohen, president of PsychoLogics. http://www.salon.com/1999/09/27/persuaders