Commercials

Has anyone here ever bought anything because of a commercial? I was watching TV and just realised I've seen millions of commercials and have never, ever been convinced to buy anything because of a commercial. I have to wonder if it's just me, or if commercials are really that ineffective. And if so, why do companies continue paying money to advertise when the advertisements aren't actually bringing in money.

Well, maybe it's just me, but for when I'm looking for something in the store and I see something I saw in a commercial, I get it over the over brands of the same thing

e.g. Tide over some other detergent that I don't know. Coke over some other cola I don't know.

I've never been convinced to buy anything by the commercial, but I've seen commercials for things that I've needed and purchased.

An example being Bottle Tops. I didn't buy them because of the commercial. I bought them because I exclusively use aluminum cans over plastic for recycling purposes and hate having open containers around. The commercial made me aware of the product, but it wasn't the commercial that made me want to buy the product, it was the actual need/usage for it (which the commercial did not increase the perception of).

My SO is an ad exec though, so I can say first hand ads do in fact work on people. Not just the incidentally encouraged purchases like mine, but there are also people who will literally buy anything you hype up. Some commercials aren't even designed to move the majority but to push the last little bit on people already wavering between brands.

I was asking myself the same question a month or two ago. I started paying more attention to it and I noticed that I would call on advertised products when I needed something.
"Oh, I want a new computer. Where should I start looking? I'll try the BestBuy site"

Pretty much. Commercials aren't for the people who already know about the product and do/don't use it. They're for the people who don't know, and would buy something like it if they did.

Pretty much. Commercials aren't for the people who already know about the product and do/don't use it. They're for the people who don't know, and would buy something like it if they did.

This. The only time I can remember purchasing something after seeing a commercial was when I saw the original Subway flatbread commercial for the millionth time, coincidentally at the same time my Dad was asking where we should go for a quick lunch. Easy (and tasty) decision.

It's more about creating brand awareness and inception.

Commercials dont make me want to buy things.



I want a pizza.

I don't THINK they do, but subcountiously (sp), they probably do.

I don't watch TV much anyways though.

subcountiously (sp)

conscious. Subconsciously.

The point is not to make you think, "OH! I want that!" It's to implant the name into your brain so next time you got shopping, you think of them without actually thinking about them.

I've made a thread like this once before.

I've never been convinced to buy anything by the commercial, but I've seen commercials for things that I've needed and purchased.

This.

Only commericals that made me want to buy anything was when Billy Mays advertised i. He could advertise teh dang Snuggie and it would be friggin awesome.

He made me buy oxyclean .____.

I think people, subconsciously, generally like familiar things, and/or reversely, fear the unknown. A song not particularly to your liking will be heard hummed by you randomly after enough exposure. Having been seen at least once by an unknowing customer is an advantage to a brand when competing on equal grounds in other regards (quality, availability, even prices). Customers tend to want to feel safe when buying things, so a little extra (though probably false) sense of security is worth the decision to buy or not to buy.

I'm not affected by commercials that don't tell me anything new (e.g., beautiful people drinking <brand name soda>).
If they tell me of a new product, or a new feature of an old product, or a special sale - I will look into it if it looks relevant to my needs/wants.

I really don't notice ads. Actually, I actively seek out avenues where I can avoid ads at all costs. This is why I don't watch TV anymore and just YARRRR my shows online.

There are several industries I've noticed where advertising is highly accepted as part of the business. Such industries include cars, computers and electronics, golfing - really any performance-based entertainment or product. There's always lots of advertising in it. It's to the point where people wanted to see ads in Gran Turismo games to add to the realism. Now how's that for liking ads?

There are a few things I've bought due to advertising for it - the GomTV Starleague season pass being one of them. Or if I walk in the store and see a special advertising there for a product that sounds intriguing I might just get it on impulse if it's a few dollars. Otherwise, not really.

I believe commercials influence everyone, even if you don't think they influence yourself.

You see a restaurant commercial and you're hungry. You go to said restaurant and buy their new burger because it looked tasty. Effective advertising right there.

Infomercials are different though. They hype up a product so much that they make it look like the best thing ever, and it cons weak people in to buying the product.

I tend to buy brands and products I'm familiar with ONLY because I've seen them advertised or advocated.