Behavioral Science For Brands: Leveraging behavioral science in brand marketing.: Recent Episodes

Consumer Behavior Lab

The Consumer Behavior Lab is dedicated to teaching marketersacross the United States how behavioral science principles can beapplied to help their brands. By decoding the underlying motivationsof how consumers make decisions, the CBL seeks to make a betterindustry - where both brands and agencies put proven sciencebehind their decision making.

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Harvard professor Michael Norton, author of The Ritual Effect, joins MichaelAaron and Richard to explore why identical actions feel meaningful to one person and trivial to another. They cover how Oreo, Stella Artois, and Guinness turn consumption into ritual, and what marketers should watch for when customers improvise their own rituals.

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MichaelAaron and Richard unpack a new Behavioral Insights Team report on why most companies fail to get employees using AI, covering how social proof lifts adoption, why removing small points of friction beats motivational pitches, and why framing AI as something to lose outperforms framing it as a gain.

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In this special finale to the Inside Influence series, MichaelAaron and Richard are joined by Dr. Robert Cialdini to revisit the principles behind his landmark book Influence. Together, they explore ethical persuasion, authority, AI, and the practical behavioral insights that continue to shape effective marketing

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In part three of the Inside Influence series, Richard Shotton and MichaelAaron Flicker explore Cialdini’s principles of commitment, consistency, and unity - revealing how small commitments, shared identity, and group belonging can dramatically shape persuasion and behavior.

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In part two of the Inside Influence series, Richard Shotton and MichaelAaron Flicker unpack Cialdini’s principles of social proof, authority, and scarcity - exploring the psychology behind popularity, trust, exclusivity, and why small shifts in perception can dramatically change consumer behavior.

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This week, MichaelAaron and Richard kick off their miniseries “Inside Influence” on Robert Cialdini’s classic book Influence. They unpack the principles of reciprocity and liking, exploring how gifts increase spending, why similarity builds trust, and how brands can ethically shape persuasion and behavior.

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In this episode, MichaelAaron and Richard challenge some of marketing’s biggest assumptions about consumer research. They explore why people often can’t explain their own decisions, why A/B tests outperform surveys, and how observing real behavior leads to stronger insights and better marketing decisions.

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In this episode, we speak with Richard Chataway, founder of Communication Science Group and author of The Behaviour Business. Richard reveals how he used behavioral science to help people quit smoking, why diversity has both a moral and commercial justification, and how interacting with AI changes our behavior.

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In this episode, MichaelAaron and Richard explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and behavioral science. They discuss why AI amplifies good and bad thinking alike, how overreliance can weaken judgment, why creativity risks becoming more uniform, and how understanding human behavior remains a critical advantage in the age of AI.

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In this episode, MichaelAaron and Richard explore how behavioral science can improve e-commerce performance. From why perfect reviews reduce trust to how scarcity boosts value perception, they unpack practical ways brands can increase conversion, reduce friction, and shape buying decisions online.

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In this episode, MichaelAaron and Richard sit down with behavioral scientist Michael Hallsworth, co-creator of the EAST framework and author of The Hypocrisy Trap. They explore behavior change, social influence, hypocrisy, and why relatable messengers, simple interventions, and context matter more than most marketers realize.

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In this episode, MichaelAaron Flicker and Richard Shotton explore how agencies can use behavioral science to build stronger brand strategies. From the mere-exposure effect to the halo effect and goal dilution, they unpack why consistency, focus, and clear communication often outperform complexity and constant reinvention.

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In this episode, the fourth and final installment in a miniseries on the 4 Ps of Marketing, MichaelAaron Flicker and Richard Shotton explore how behavioral science shapes “place.” From making products easier to access to using scarcity and premium environments to influence perception, they unpack why distribution is far more powerful than most marketers realize.

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In this episode, MichaelAaron and Richard sit down with behavioral scientist Robert West, creator of the COM-B model, to explore the three forces behind every human behavior: capability, opportunity, and motivation. They discuss why behavior change so often fails, how environments shape decisions more than we realize, and how businesses and governments can design more effective interventions.

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In this episode, part three of a miniseries on the 4 Ps of Marketing, MichaelAaron and Richard explore how behavioral science shapes product design. From optimal newness to visible social proof and sensory cues, they show how small design choices can dramatically influence perception, appeal, and willingness to pay.

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In this episode, MichaelAaron and Richard unpack how Specsavers turned a simple joke into one of the UK’s most effective campaigns. By combining humor, consistency, and behavioral science, they show how the brand captured attention, avoided fear-based messaging, and built lasting trust and growth.

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In part two of our miniseries on the 4 Ps of Marketing, MichaelAaron and Richard explore how behavioral science can improve pricing decisions. They discuss how price signals quality, why delaying costs boosts uptake, how fairness shapes willingness to pay, and how framing upgrades as small differentials can increase conversion.

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In this episode, MichaelAaron Flicker and Richard Shotton speak with Nick Chater about the “flat mind” theory and what it means for marketers. They discuss why people improvise decisions in the moment, how context shapes behavior, and why simple cues can be more powerful than deep persuasion.

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In this episode, MichaelAaron and Richard explore how behavioral science can strengthen the promotion pillar of the four Ps. They cover the power of language framing, why admitting the right flaw can increase credibility, and how the “but you are free” technique boosts compliance without pressure.

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In this episode, MichaelAaron Flicker and Richard Shotton speak with Karen Nelson-Field about why attention has become one of the most important metrics in modern advertising. They explore how attention differs from reach, what drives it across channels, and how brands can plan media more effectively by focusing on real human engagement.

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MichaelAaron Flicker and Richard Shotton unpack how DP World helped shift a global shipping standard that no one had questioned for nearly a century. By challenging status quo bias and rallying competitors around a shared change from −18°C to −15°C, the campaign cut emissions, reduced costs, and reshaped an entire industry.

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In this episode, we chat with Bri Williams, author of The Williams Behaviour Book and managing director at People Patterns. We explore how to change behaviour inside companies, and cover a range of principles, such as the Zorro technique, the “But You Are Free” principle and “Arming Your Advocate” model.

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MichaelAaron Flicker and Richard Shotton analyze Procell’s award-winning B2B campaign that reframed the “cheap battery” decision by highlighting the hidden labor cost of replacing them. Using humor and behavioral science, the campaign shifted procurement thinking from purchase price to true cost.

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In this episode, we interview Thomas McKinlay, founder of the Science Says newsletter, about what biases can be applied in ecommerce decisions. Thomas walks us through lots of evidence-based insights, like where to place prices, how charging a small fee is better than giving something for free, and why online retailers should handwrite thank you notes.

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In this episode, MichaelAaron and Richard launch a new series by unpacking Lucky Yatra, an award-winning Indian Railways campaign that turned tickets into lottery entries. They explore how uncertain rewards, positive framing, and smart incentives drove a 34% rise in ticket sales

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In this episode, MichaelAaron and Richard explore how small behavioral shifts can boost happiness. Drawing on research into the hedonic treadmill, pro-social spending, experiences over possessions, and the power of anticipation, they unpack practical, science-backed ways to increase joy in everyday life.

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In this episode, we’re joined by the brilliant Mark Ritson - marketing professor, columnist and founder of the MiniMBA in Marketing. We talk about the underestimated power of consistency in marketing, his “Bothism” approach to strategy and why insights from B2C marketing also work in B2B.

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In this episode, we start our mini-series on behavioral science for social good. This time, we’re discussing how to encourage people to stop smoking. We explore three principles – social proof, the importance of starting small, as well as why fear-mongering can backfire.

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In this episode, we speak with Kevin Chesters, author of The Creative Nudge and ex-CSO at Ogilvy UK, about the behavioral science of creativity. Kevin explains how small tactics can boost creativity, why time pressure kills it, and how organizations can build a culture of lateral problem solving.

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In this episode, we celebrate our new book Hacking the Human Mind. We share our favorite chapters, unpack the behavioral science behind the brands featured, and reflect on what we’d add if we were writing it again.

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In this 100th episode, MichaelAaron and Richard look back on their favorite moments from the podcast so far, including standout brand case studies like Guinness and Aperol, and key behavioral science principles like the generation effect and reverse benchmarking. They also share a preview of what’s ahead.

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In this episode, we chat with Tim den Heijer, co-author of the best-selling book, The Housefly Effect, about how small and often overlooked details can have a large impact on behaviour. Tim unpacks some key ideas from his book, including how to apply loss aversion, how to prevent incentives from backfiring and the importance of product naming.

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In this episode, we sit down with Tara Austin, Partner at Ogilvy. Tara shares the behavioral science principles for creating effective communications. We discuss a broad range of campaigns, from using scarcity to drive demand for KFC's $1 chips to stopping vandalism by painting baby’s faces on shop shutters.

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In this episode, we revisit episode 25 to explore why most New Year’s resolutions fail—and how behavioral science can help. From public commitment to habit stacking and friction reduction, we unpack practical strategies for making resolutions more likely to stick.

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We’re revisiting our chat with Phil Agnew, creator of the Nudge podcast, to explore how behavioral science shows up in everyday marketing. From pricing to persuasion, Phil shares examples and tactics that continue to resonate.

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In this episode, Jo Arden - Chief Strategy Officer at AMV BBDO and Campaign contributor - shares how hope, humor, and smart messaging can drive behavior change. From Stoptober to herpes awareness, we explore the behavioral science behind emotional resonance, effective messengers, and public health impact.

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In this episode, we explore how to apply behavioral science to drive culture change and performance inside organizations. From using social proof and friction reduction to regret lotteries and purposeful work, we unpack four practical nudges that help teams adopt new behaviors and adapt to change.

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In this episode, we talk with Dr. Susan Weinschenk - behavioral scientist and best-selling author of 100 Things Every Designer Needs to Know About People. Susan uncovers the science behind attracting attention, boosting memory and explains when to add or remove friction to make your user experience more effective.

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In this episode, we explore how behavioral science can improve copywriting. From the power of concrete language to the surprising upside of shorter, simpler messages - and why framing things as losses can be more persuasive than gains - this episode is packed with practical tips for agencies and brands alike.

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In this episode, we talk with Will Storr, author of The Science of Storytelling, about why humans are wired for narrative. From identity and status to simplicity and surprise, Will shares how marketers can craft stories that persuade, stick, and move people to action.

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In this episode, we explore how BMW used behavioral science to grow consideration by targeting fresh starts like home buying, leveraging price relativity with luxury context, and exploiting proximity to boost brand perception. It's a clever use of timing, framing, and emotional influence.

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In this special Halloween-themed episode, we explore three behavioral science principles with surprising brand applications: how variety bias can help challenger brands, why ending on a high note matters, and how uncertain rewards can drive more excitement and engagement—without costing more.

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In this episode, MichaelAaron and Richard explore ways that behavioral science can improve the agency pitch process. From the illusion of effort to the stolen thunder effect and extremeness aversion, this episode unpack practical ways agencies can boost trust, stand out, and win new business.

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In this episode, Dan Ariely joins us to explore how brands build trust, communicate authentically, and reduce friction. From peacocks to pricing to motivational t-shirts, he unpacks the behavioral signals that shape consumer perception and drive long-term brand value.

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In this episode, we talk with William Poundstone, author of Priceless, about how pricing psychology shapes behavior. From anchoring and fairness to flat-rate bias, we explore how marketers can use behavioral science to influence value perception and drive smarter pricing decisions.

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This week we’re joined by Adam Alter to explore the behavioral forces that drive decision-making. From the psychology of getting unstuck to the power of fluency, labeling, and context, Adam shares practical insights for marketers looking to change minds - and behavior.

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In this episode, Orlando Wood shares why today’s ads often fail to capture attention—and what brands can do about it. From the power of characters and music to the science of right-brain appeal, he reveals how to make advertising more effective, memorable, and emotionally engaging.

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MichaelAaron and Richard open with a sneak preview of their upcoming book, Hacking the Human Mind. Next, they revisit the Pringles case study from way back in Episode 7 - a new form factor, a sticky rhyme (“once you pop…”), and the power of fluency. They also unpack skin-in-the-game incentives to favor outcomes over optics.

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This episode dives into the behavioral science behind Heinz’s iconic brand. Discover how specificity, self-deprecating honesty, and inviting consumer participation help make Heinz ketchup more memorable, trusted, and irresistible at the table.

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This week, behavioral marketer Nancy Harhut joins the podcast to explore how science-backed tactics like social proof, cognitive fluency, and personalization can lift engagement and boost conversions. Hear how she helped brands like Nationwide drive millions in revenue by applying behavioral design.

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This episode unpacks the behavioral science behind Klarna’s success. Learn how the brand uses present bias and temporal reframing to reduce friction at checkout, increase willingness to pay, and reshape how consumers perceive cost—without relying on discounts.

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In this episode, MichaelAaron and Richard share a first look at their upcoming book Hacking the Human Mind, a guide to applying behavioral science for brand growth. Then, they revisit the Häagen-Dazs case study—exploring how foreign branding and price relativity helped transform everyday ice cream into a luxury experience that set powerful consumer expectations.

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In this episode we speak with Uri Gneezy, behavioural economist and professor at the Rady School of Management at UC San Diego. Uri is the author of Mixed Signals and The Why Axis. In the episode, he explores how poorly designed incentives can backfire, why intentions don’t often match outcomes and how to overcome the common pitfalls in our thinking.

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We’re thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of Hacking the Human Mind, A new book exploring how behavioral science powers the world’s most iconic brands. Re-watch this episode and get ready for Hacking the Human Mind, hitting shelves September 30th.

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In this episode we speak with David Robson, science journalist and author of The Expectation Effect. David explores how beliefs, attitudes and expectations shape our health, performance and daily experiences. He explains the fascinating science behind placebo effects, the power of mindset in influencing outcomes and the implications for behavior change messaging.

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In this episode we speak with Patrick Fagan, behavioral scientist and co-founder of the consultancy Capuchin Behavioral Science. Patrick is the former lead psychologist at Cambridge Analytica, author of Hooked and co-author of Free Your Mind. He shares insights into the hidden drivers of consumer behavior, how data and psychology intersect and why marketers should tap into the irrational mind.

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In this episode, we chat with Phil Graves, author of Consumerology. As a leading voice on the flaws of traditional market research, he explains why what customers say often differs from what they do. He also highlights the mechanisms behind purchase decisions and explores how behavioral science offers a more reliable lens for understanding real consumer behavior.

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In this episode we sit down with Rory Sutherland, author of Alchemy. As one of advertising’s most original thinkers, he makes the case for embracing irrationality in marketing, argues why logic is overrated and explains how small shifts can lead to big behavioral effects.

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In this episode we explore how behavioral science can be applied to media planning. We discuss the fundamental attribution error and why this suggests brands should spend less time thinking about target audiences and more time thinking about target contexts.
We then look at some specific moments that brands can target – such as when people are in a good mood or when their age ends in nine.

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In this episode, we look at the story of Five Guys and how they used behavioral science to become one of the most successful brands in the ‘better burger’ category. We identify some of the secrets to their success such as ending the experience on a high, harnessing the illusion of effort by letting dinners see into the kitchen and - perhaps most importantly of all – harnessing the power of simplicity!

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In this episode we speak with Steve Martin, co-author of Yes! 60 secrets from the science of persuasion which has sold over 1.5 m million copies. We talk to Steve about his latest work on the messenger effect and the eight traits that make a messenger influential.

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In this episode, we explore how Oatly became a billion-dollar brand by using behavioral science in clever, unexpected ways. We unpack how the launch of their Barista Edition—crafted specifically for coffee shops—tapped into the Messenger Effect, where who delivers a message matters as much as what is said. Along the way, we break down what makes a messenger truly persuasive—and how your brand can apply the same principles to win trust and grow.

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In this episode we speak with Adam Ferrier, founder of Australian ad agency, Thinkerbell. Adam is the author of The Advertising Effect, one of the best books on applying behavioral science to advertising. On the podcast he talks about some of the most effective Australian campaigns of the last few years and why listening to your customer creates bland advertising.

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Everlane’s success has partly been driven by differentiating themselves from the rest of the fashion industry. Crucially they have reframed the competition as behaving unfairly.

In this episode we look at a series of behavioral science experiments that show brands can disrupt consumer apathy if they position the competition as having behaved unfairly. We cover a range of studies by Werner Guth, Sally Blount and Richard Thaler. Most importantly we focus on the practical marketing applications.

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Katy Milkman has described Ayelet Fishbach as the foremost expert on motivation in the world. In this episode we speak to Ayelet about her work and how marketers can harness it to change the behavior of their users. In a wide ranging conversation we discuss Ayelet’s research on variable rewards, the goal dilution effect and the problem with setting avoidance goals.

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GEICO have created some of the most effective US advertising in recent years. The GEICO gecko is one of the most popular characters in advertising. But what makes him so memorable?

In this episode we discuss Ian Begg’s research into concreteness which showed that people are much better at remembering visualisable things compared to abstract concepts. We argue that GEICO’s success has been driven by creating a brand mascot that physically embodies their strengths rather than trying to convey those abstract ideals directly.

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In this episode we talk with Gareth Harvey. Gareth was previously a professor of consumer psychology but now advises companies about how they can apply findings from behavioral science. In this episode he discusses some of his work with retailers showing how they can better frame special offers, use music more effectively and adjust the shopper journey.

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In this episode we look at one of the world’s most successful gins: Hendrick’s. We explore three behavioral science principles that explain their growth: distinctiveness, consistency and nostalgia. In particular, we look at the experimental evidence from psychologists such as Von Restorff, Zajonc and Sedikides.

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In this interview, we catch up with Melina Palmer who has released a new book: The Truth About Pricing. She discusses how brands like Hermes and Costco have applied principles from behavioral science. We cover ideas like scarcity, reciprocity and the importance of in groups.

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In this episode, we discuss how behavioural biases can be applied by brands in a B2B setting. In particular, we look at how Zoom credibly used social proof in their earliest days and the evidence that suggests this works well in a professional setting. We also cover the principle of make it easy and the evidence of this occurring in B2B. Finally, we discuss why, if behavioural science is so effective, it so rarely used by B2B marketers.

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In this week's episode, we chat with Charles Spence—Oxford professor, author of Gastrophysics, and the world’s leading expert on how our senses work together to shape flavor. We discuss how brands are leveraging sensory cues to make their products more appealing, and discover practical insights for anyone who wants to understand the power of taste beyond the plate.

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In this episode we talk with Nir Eyal, author of Hooked, and one of the world's leading experts on the topic of habits. His work is of particular interest as his focus is on how brands (rather than individuals) can create habits. Nir walks us through the four elements of his model and gives lots of practical advice on what marketers can do differently.

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In this episode we explore the behavioral science principles behind Aviation Gin’s success. In particular we look at why humor is such an effective (but underused) tool for brands.

We cover work by Nisbett on the halo effect that shows if a brand improves its standing in one particular metric (like being funny) it will improve even unrelated characteristics, such as being perceived as trustworthy or modern.

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In this episode we talk with Roger Dooley author of Brainfluence. In a wide-ranging conversation, we start by covering the importance of focusing on making whatever behaviour you want to encourage as easy as possible. Then we move on to the importance of experimentation and how brands can work out which, of the many behavioural biases that have been discovered, they should prioritize.

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In this episode we look at the rise of Eleven Madison Park to become the most critically acclaimed restaurant in the world. In particular we focus on their legendary customer service and how they used techniques like the peak-end rule to enhance diner’s memory of the visit. The lessons are relevant for all brands - not just those involved with fine dining.

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In this episode we sit down with Sarah Carter and discuss how marketers can best use behavioural science. We focus on using behavioural science for good, whether that’s encouraging people to eat veg, take the train or practice safe sex. During a wide-ranging conversation with one of ad land’s brightest luminaries we cover biases from the ostrich effect to social proof, reframing to the illusion of control.

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In this episode, we look at the behavioral science secrets behind the success of Kraft Mac and Cheese. We focus on two broad areas. First, how they managed to launch a new version of the product (with all the artificial colourings removed) without damaging sales. That’s an impressive achievement, as often if you stress that a product has become healthier it damages taste expectations.

Second, how they have designed their packaging to grab attention in-store. In particular, how they harness the finding that shopper’s attention is drawn to face-like shapes.

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In this episode Richard interviewed Harvard professor Todd Rogers. Todd’s experiments apply behavioral science principles to copywriting to make it more effective. In this discussion we cover Todd’s key findings, such as the proven value of brevity, simple language, and designing for easy navigation.

The episode is full of simple tactics that you’ll be able to apply immediately to your writing.

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In this episode, we look at the success of Pret a Manger – especially how they managed to recover so strongly after the pandemic, despite increasing numbers of office workers staying at home. We look at two main biases that they have successfully harnessed: the sunk cost effect and the power of variable rewards

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We talk with Seth about how to best understand people's motivations and why direct questioning sometimes fails. We cover ideas like the illusion of effort, the curse of knowledge and how to respond when different datasets give conflicting answers.

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In this episode, we discuss the replication crisis. By that we mean, when academics have re-run some behavioural science studies, they have found different results to the original experiment thereby invalidating it. We cover some of the most famous studies that need to be avoided and how you can have confidence in the findings that you’re applying.

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In this episode we return to the question of how to break old consumer habits and build new ones. We cover four new studies, each of which has practical implications for brands. We begin by looking at when people are open to changing their behavior and discuss the fresh start effect and the destabilizing effect of life events.

We then turn to the behavioral science of building new habits and look at the foot in the door technique and the perennial question - how long does it take to form a new habit?

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In this episode MichaelAaron and Richard sit down with Phil Barden, author of Decoded and Managing Director at DECODE Marketing. His excellent book was one of the earliest to look at how ideas from neuroscience and behavioral economics could be used to improve marketing.

Phil covers how best in class brands like Apple apply these principles but also how he has personally used behavioral science in his work at T-Mobile.

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In this episode we look at a range of behavioral science experiments that shed light on effective gift giving. These are useful because our intuition about what receivers want is often off the mark.

In particular, we cover experiments showing how spending on others is a better way for givers to boost their own happiness than spending on themselves and why receivers tend to prefer experiences rather than material gifts.

While there are plenty of personal applications for these findings we also focus on the implications for brands.

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In this episode we talk with Les Binet, co-author of The Long and the Short of it about his research into effective advertising. We discuss some of his best-known findings, such as the value of emotional campaigns. But we also cover some lesser-known areas such as whether wear out is a myth, why music in ads should get more attention and finally what he calls the “dark matter of effectiveness”: price effects.

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In this special episode, we discuss how behavioral science can be used to encourage voter registration and turnaround. We cover well known ideas like social proof including some of the most relevant nuances and how it’s often misused by campaigns for good. We also turn to lesser known research by Bryan on how we label behavior can have a significant effect on whether it occurs.

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In this episode, we explore how indulgence brands like soft drinks and ice creams can use behavioral science principles. We discuss moral licensing, where people overcompensate in one area after behaving virtuously in another, and how brands like Miller and L'Oreal have applied this insight. Lastly, we examine a study by Read, showing how shoppers make different choices when picking for their current versus future selves.

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We talk with Matt about his favorite practical examples of behavioural science being applied by brands. We cover how Pret a Manger use uncertain rewards to excite customers, how Perrier harnessed the principle of essentialism to launch in the US and why more brands should think about marketing to groups rather than individuals.

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In this episode, we talk with ad agency founder Kate Waters on how the AA, Zoe and Spotify apply behavioral science. We cover a wide range of principles: from language reframing to social proof, concreteness to choice paralysis

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In this episode, we uncover how Starbucks turns the Pumpkin Spice Latte into a cult favorite through the power of scarcity.

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In this episode, we examine how Disney uses behavioral principles to mange queues, process payments and create moments of joy inside thier parks.

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In this episode, we talk about how marketers leverage principles like nostalgia and active commitment to sell targeted experience to customers.

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In this episode, we examine pre-disposed decisions that prioritzes acting versus maintaining the status quo, due to optics.

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In this episode, we have Owain Service, cofounder and former managing director of the UK's Behavioral Insights Team and former deputy director of the Prime Minister's Strategy Unit, joining us to explore the possibilities of behavioral sciences in other sectors.

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In this episode, we take a look at the behavioral principles that empower Liquid Death and it's entry into the American market with a distinctive style.

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In this episode, we explore how more data doesn't necessarily mean better results and what alternatives marketers have to successful metric-based outcomes.

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In this episode, we take a look at the biases that promote sustainability and how the sustainability movement can be applied to brands.

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In this episode, we examine the promotional prowess of RedBull from marketing the drink and facing challenges that came with it's unique and 'unwelcome' taste.

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In this episode, we check out Chipotle's data driven marketing campaign and the success that came with it.

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In this episode, we dive deep into motivations that drive the consumer when it comes to locking in their purchases. Be it the effect of loyalty programs or the theory of sunken costs, Costco has done this to great effect.

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In this episode, we sit down with Tali Sharot, a neuroscience professor at University College London and M.I.T., to talk about the practical application of cognitive neuroscience.

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In this episode, we discuss the influence behind Super Bowl ads and how
concepts like costly signaling and cultural imprinting help consumers
align with brands.

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In this episode we chat with award-winning author Mark
Earls about concepts such as loss aversion, the false consensus
effect, and behavioral science's impact on economics.

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In this episode, we explore the intricate world of Valentine's Day, online dating, and the
hidden truths behind survey data, revealing the discrepancies between claimed motivations and actual behaviors through insightful studies and field experiments.

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In this episode we sit down with Phill Agnew, the Senior Product Marketing
Manager at Buffer and Host of the Nudge Podcast, to discuss the halo effect,
the illusion of labor, and the behavioral science behind special days.

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In this episode we discuss the behavioral science behind New Year's Resolutions, commitments, the motivation to change behavior, and succeeding beyond January 1st.

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In this episode, we discuss how Apple successfully utilizes behavioral science principles such as optimal newness, the power of concrete language, and simplicity to drive innovation and create a consistent and memorable brand experience.

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In this episode,we explore the success of the "Got Milk" campaign, which tapped into the power of loss aversion, humor, and the messenger effect by using celebrities to emphasize what people would miss out on if they didn't have milk, ultimately generating over $1 billion in sales for the dairy industry.

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In this episode, we explore the success of De Beers' marketing campaign for diamond
engagement rings, highlighting the power of linguistic quirkiness, the influence of
anchoring on consumer behavior, and the relevance of behavioral science in shaping
even significant purchasing decisions.

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In this episode, we delve into the Don't Mess With Texas campaign and its remarkable
success in reducing litter on Texas highways by 72%, highlighting the power of reframing behaviors to align with existing beliefs and making change easier.

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In this episode, we discuss the power of triggers and cues in marketing, emphasizing the
importance of associating a specific time, place, or mood with a product to convert intention into action. While also highlight the effectiveness of humor in advertising, explaining how humor can boost recall, positivity, and purchase intent.

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In this episode we explore the successful advertising campaigns of The Economist, which leveraged the generation effect and the decoy effect to engage and persuade consumers, discussing the campaign's impact and the alignment of incentives in marketing.

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In this episode, we discuss the power of menu design in influencing consumer choices, highlighting the importance of avoiding choice paralysis, using tactics like emphasizing popularity, and leveraging price relativity to boost sales.

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The expectations we have about food and drink can greatly affect our perception of their taste, and setting those expectations can be achieved through premium factors such as price, design, serve, and provenance, as well as creating a positive sentiment around a product being marketed. 

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James Dyson has revolutionized the way everyday household appliances are made and sold with his innovative approach to entrepreneurship. His story is an inspiring one of success against all odds that demonstrates how powerful a determined entrepreneur can be in bringing ideas to life - not only through product design but also by building memorable brands rooted in behavioral science principles. 

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KFC's secret recipe for innovation is not just herbs and spices- it's behavioral science.Through continuous testing and learnings, KFC is able to stay ahead of the game in the fast-food industry while cooking up creative ways to satisfy their customers' cravings. 

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Spotify disrupted the music industry with savvy tactics from behavioral science. Through principles like scarcity and the fresh start effect, the streaming giant gained a devoted following and transformed the way we listen to music.

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Consumers do not act completely rationally when it comes to prices, but businesses can make prices more appealing by using precise pricing, charm pricing, and putting more psychological distance between the act of payment and receiving the product. 

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In this special episode we take a look at Richard's new book, the Illusion of Choice and gain exclusive content from our author himself. Hear about the stories that inspired the book, and most importantly, hear how Richard thinks we can all use this new book to make marketing in the world stronger.

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Understanding the power of sound symbolism and ease vs. motivation can help brands create strong associations in consumers' minds and boost their willingness to take action. In this episode, we explore how Wellow Compression Socks utilizes behavioral science to craft an effective name and establish a compelling brand position.

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From their iconic tube shape to the innovative stackable shape, Pringles chips
have been a snacking staple in homes across America for decades. But what
is the driving force behind its success? The answer lies within behavioral
science – find out how they've employed behavioral science tactics in their
catchy slogan that keep us reaching into those classic red canisters.

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Amazon has revolutionized e-commerce, and this episode dives into the behavioral science behind their success.  From one-click purchasing to Amazon Prime - discover how these features rooted in behavioral science keep customers coming back for more. 

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Haagen-Dazs sounds foreign so it must be good. This episode explores how Haagen-Dazs leverages foreign branding and price relativity, turning frozen CPG into luxury and setting up positive consumer expectations.

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L'Oréal Paris' famed tagline, “Because You’re Worth It” has been used by the brand for over 50 years. This episode explores how L'Oréal has used behavioral science tactics such as perceptual fluency and literal & lateral applications to boost its perception of value and popularity over the years with its consumers.

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Aperol had a product attribute that made it truly distinctive in the category: the color orange. This episode explores how Aperol used this to harness the power of social proof and how marketers must create triggers with consumers to truly change their purchasing behavior. 

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The Von Restorff Effect tells us that brands who behave 
like their peers are condemned to invisibility. This episode explores 
how Absolut leveraged this principal to create distinction within 
the category and turn the iconic shape of its bottle into 
a cultural phenomenon.

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As Guinness looked to expand globally outside of the UK, it had a product
 differentiation that could have been seen as a real problem. This episode explores the
 Pratfall Effect, and how brands can leverage a perceived flaw and turn it into a
 powerful brand attribute.