Subliminal Advertizing

Description of Subliminal Advertizing. Explanation.

Definition Subliminal Advertizing. Description.

Subliminal Advertizing is a marketing technique intended to unconsciously manipulate an audience into buying products or services through showing very brief images or messages embedded in a movie, television screen or advertisement. The subliminal messages are designed to pass below the normal limits of perception. These messages are unrecognizable by the conscious mind, but in certain situations can affect the subconscious or deeper mind and later actions or attitudes.

In 1956, a New York market researcher named James Vicary, claimed to have embedded the messages "Drink Coca Cola" and "Eat Popcorn" in a drive-in theater. He said Coke sales went up by 58 percent, and popcorn 18 percent.

It was later revealed, however, that Vicary lied about the experiment. Although this turned out to be a hoax, advertising associations have taken the position that it is unethical to secretly embed commercial messages or images.

Compare with: Advertising  |  Product Life Cycle  |  Target Marketing  |  Positioning  |  Co-Marketing  |  Cross-Branding  |  Synchromarketing  |  Tie-in Marketing

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End of description Subliminal Advertizing. An explanation.