logo
episode-header-image
Jul 8
29m 54s

How Does Advertising Actually Work?

Marketing Architects
About this episode
Does advertising nudge your memory? Change your mind? Or make you feel something? The answer isn't as simple as you think.

This week, Elena, Angela, and Rob examine five leading theories of how advertising works. They debate memory nudging versus persuasion models, explore why emotional ads outperform rational ones, and reveal which approaches actually drive business results.

Topics covered: 
  • [02:00] Memory nudging theory and mental availability from Ehrenberg-Bass
  • [08:00] When persuasion models change consumer minds
  • [13:00] Why emotional priming outperforms rational advertising
  • [18:00] Cultural branding and why most brands can't pull it off
  • [21:00] Signaling theory and how expensive media builds credibility
  • [24:00] Which advertising theory each host likes most
  • [26:00] Mandela Effect game connecting memory to brand recall 








To learn more, visit marketingarchitects.com/podcast or subscribe to our newsletter at marketingarchitects.com/newsletter


Resources: 
2020 Ehrenberg-Bass Institute Study: https://marketingscience.info/what-is-the-effect-of-advertising-on-mental-market-share/ 

 
Get more research-backed marketing strategies by subscribing to The Marketing Architects on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
Up next
Today
Nerd Alert: The Power of an "Underdog" Brand
Welcome to Nerd Alert, a series of special episodes bridging the gap between marketing academia and practitioners. We’re breaking down highly involved, complex research into plain language and takeaways any marketer can use. In this episode, Elena and Rob explore why underdog bra ... Show More
9m 50s
Oct 7
How to Capitalize on Live Sports Season
Over the next few years, the US is hosting global sporting events unlike anything we've seen before. The FIFA World Cup, LA Olympics, and ongoing NFL season create massive opportunities for brands to connect with audiences.This week, Elena, Angela, and Rob break down live sports ... Show More
30m 49s
Oct 2
Nerd Alert: How AI Reveals Hidden Consumer Preferences
Welcome to Nerd Alert, a series of special episodes bridging the gap between marketing academia and practitioners. We’re breaking down highly involved, complex research into plain language and takeaways any marketer can use.In this episode, Elena and Rob explore how the Mixture o ... Show More
9m 57s
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2025
The Psychology of “Propaganda” Influence That Every Marketer Needs to Know | #Marketing - Ep. 46
Most entrepreneurs try to sell products. Edward Bernays taught us to sell identity. In this episode of The Russell Brunson Show, I break down the hidden playbook behind influence, persuasion, and mass movement creation. After reading Bernays’ book Propaganda, the first of its kin ... Show More
14m 30s
May 2025
Influencers Vs. Advocates - Building Brand Advocacy
In this episode of the Digital Marketing Podcast, hosts Ciaran Rogers, Louise Crossley, and Daniel Rowles dive headfirst into a topic that’s reshaping the way brands grow online: creating brand advocates vs. hiring influencers. 💬 How do advocates impact GEO and SEO? 🤝 What make ... Show More
36m 35s
Feb 2025
The Evolution of Marketing: What Worked Then vs. What Works Now
Marketing is constantly evolving, and what worked a decade ago may no longer be effective in today’s digital landscape. In this episode of Social Media Decoded, marketing strategist and business coach Michelle Thames explores the transformation of marketing over the years, highli ... Show More
8m 13s
Aug 15
5 Marketing Psychology Strategies You Can Use Today with Phill Agnew, Host of Nudge | Ep. 340
Behavioral science holds the keys to some of the most effective, yet overlooked, marketing strategies. And if you’re not thinking about it, you’re already behind. Daniel sits down with Phill Agnew, host of the UK's #1 marketing podcast Nudge, to explore psychological principles t ... Show More
44m 36s
Jul 2024
What Are Marketing Performance Metrics™ & Why Are They Important?
Ralph and Lauren welcome TJ Kelly, VP of Sales at Tier 11. They discuss the importance of connecting marketing efforts directly to financial outcomes. They also challenge the conventional reliance on ROAS and other in-app metrics, advocating for a holistic approach that prioritiz ... Show More
47m 42s
Sep 19
2025 Marketing Strategy That Will Revolutionize Your Ads
In this 2024 fireside chat I share my advice to companies who are looking to bring common sense back into their marketing strategies. Too many companies get scared of taking risks and go back to what's tried and true. I also share my two cents about the importance of the creative ... Show More
39m 27s
Sep 11
Generic Creatives: The Silent Killer of Your Ad Performance
Ever wonder why your ads are underperforming? Your generic creatives might be the culprit! In this video, Paid Social Managers Emily Hlavac and Emma Nold explain why generic ads fail to connect with audiences and how a focus on relevance and segmentation is the only way to boost ... Show More
11m 35s
May 2025
Launching ClickFunnels Connect and The Truth About Influence with McCall Jones | #Marketing - Ep. 39
This episode of The Russell Brunson Show takes you inside the ClickFunnels Connect event we just hosted in Salt Lake City. In the first part of the episode, I share what ClickFunnels Connect actually is, who it’s for, and why we believe it’s the next big chapter for funnel builde ... Show More
54m 31s
Sep 10
Why That Worked #36: Annoying Ads—The Dumbest Campaigns That Won Your Attention and Made Millions (RE-RELEASE)
Exciting news, Hero Makers! We’re sharing a new episode of Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.AI, with Donald Miller back in the host seat. This new show uncovers why certain ideas, brands, and strategies succeed—so you can think differently and apply those insights to you ... Show More
31m 36s
Apr 2025
The Harsh Truth About Modern Marketing (And Why You're Still Losing Attention) | GaryVee Elevate Event Throwback Keynote
In this throwback keynote from Elevate 2017 in Copenhagen — the first 40 minutes of it — I lay out the real game of business in today’s world:🎯 It’s not about who’s got the best product. 📲 It’s about who’s best at grabbing and keeping attention.Whether you’re in SaaS, hospitali ... Show More
41m 49s