It’s unlikely that Batman or Bruce Wayne would ever be seen driving a Kia. The practical, commuter brand just wouldn’t be rugged (or bulletproof) enough to suit Batman’s crime-fighting activities, and Kia’s reputation for …
Odd Spending
When Did We Start Counting Down the Days Until Black Friday?
Only 42 days left until … the day you buy gifts that you’re supposed to hand out several weeks later. Black Friday used to serve as an unofficial kickoff of the holiday shopping season. The big day full of sales was a reminder …
Must-See Consumerism TV: New Shows for Obsessions About Saving and Spending
Two new TV shows debut the week of October 15. While both are focused on extreme consumer lifestyles, the groups of people featured couldn’t be more different.
Cheapskates and shopping addicts are the newest reality TV …
Waiting for Hours to Buy Stuff Is Totally Illogical – But We Love It!
According to the experts, the best explanation for why consumers wait in line just so that they can hand over money for the newest iPhone or a Black Friday doorbuster deal is that … it’s fun?
Big Bird: Why Fast Food Companies Are Suddenly In Love With Chicken
Talk about a comeback. For years, a roast chicken was the quintessential Sunday dinner, and Depression-era political campaigns invoked the phrase “a chicken in every pot” to symbolize economic prosperity. But in the ensuing …
Hey Ladies, Want Some Jerky? Unusual Marketing Efforts Aimed Just at Women
Gender-based marketing sometimes focuses on men: A “manly” diet soda hit the market not long ago, for instance, and Weight Watchers has made concerted efforts to appeal to guys and let them know that the company’s product is for …
Sweet or Scary? This Season’s Hot Flavor Is… Candy Corn
Move over, pumpkin. There’s a new taste in town that’s turning up in everything from booze to bagels: candy corn. Yes, that waxy, tri-colored childhood favorite is this season’s “it flavor.”
Save Big Bird! Will Romney’s Threats Wind Up Boosting PBS Fundraising?
Mitt Romney’s comment directed at PBS during a presidential debate could present an opportunity for public broadcast to reach out to donors
Voting for Beer? Odd Election-Related Marketing Promotions
What do coffee, cookies, beer, airline flights, and organic tea have to do with the upcoming presidential election? Nothing whatsoever, really. But nowadays any major event—even one that’s potentially alienating, like the 2012 …
Millions on Pet Halloween Costumes? Why We Spend More and More on Pets
American consumers are expected to collectively spend $370 million on pet costumes this Halloween. That’s $70 million more than last year, and a whopping 40% increase compared to 2010. And how’s this for perspective: Americans …
Why the Mid-Priced Mattress Is Getting No Love
When navigating the spectrum of products in the marketplace, consumers naturally gravitate to the middle. The popular mid-price hotel category, for instance, is attractive to the masses who don’t want to skimp by staying at a …
The Big Business of Bandwagon Baseball
Obviously, sports fans root for their teams to do well. But business owners who sell team merchandise probably root even harder, considering how much of an impact a team’s success (or failure) can have on sales of hats, jerseys, …