OTAN 442 blog post #1
A commercial that has really stuck out to me is one that I heard on a podcast. The true crime podcast I was listening to took a quick break during their episode to advertise for SimpliSafe home security systems. The podcast shares their content in a suspenseful way and in this episode, just before going into more details of the case they decided to slip in the home security ad. The start of the ad was worded, "It can be a creepy thing to be home, alone and in the dark". This instantly sparks some fear for me thinking about being at home alone, especially since I am listening to a true crime podcast. As the ad goes on the host proceeds to say how SimpliSafe will put your mind at ease and keep you safe while you are in you own home.
It is no coincidence that a home security system decided to sponsor a true crime podcast to run their ads on. I think this type of marketing context is directly geared to act on listeners emotions. As I mentioned, this ad sparked a little bit of fear for my own safety. The fear that was triggered was a response from my nervous system and specifically the amygdala since it can interpret fear and signal the hypothalamus for the activation of the fight or flight response. Even though I know that I was not in any immediate danger I still felt scared and had the urge to react to this feeling. It has been a year or so since I have heard the ad but even now when I hear it on new episodes I still will push back the urge to go buy the home security system since the commercial gives the idea that you aren't safe in your own home.
It is no coincidence that a home security system decided to sponsor a true crime podcast to run their ads on. I think this type of marketing context is directly geared to act on listeners emotions. As I mentioned, this ad sparked a little bit of fear for my own safety. The fear that was triggered was a response from my nervous system and specifically the amygdala since it can interpret fear and signal the hypothalamus for the activation of the fight or flight response. Even though I know that I was not in any immediate danger I still felt scared and had the urge to react to this feeling. It has been a year or so since I have heard the ad but even now when I hear it on new episodes I still will push back the urge to go buy the home security system since the commercial gives the idea that you aren't safe in your own home.
Retrieved from: https://www.amazon.com/SimpliSafe-Home-Security-System-7-Piece/dp/B07R73BHC4
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