In 1991, CEO of one of the UK’s largest high street brands lost £500m in value overnight. He almost caused his company to go bankrupt, which ultimately led to his dismissal and a complete company rebrand. In today’s episode of Nudge, I share his story, explaining the psychology behind why this happened and some messaging advice that every marketer needs to know. 

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Episode 70 of Nudge: https://tinyurl.com/vk2cxcuc

Classic VW ad: https://tinyurl.com/52t4xny2

Avis "Try harder": https://tinyurl.com/4k93t3zv

Ratner’s speech in full: https://youtu.be/Nj9BZz71yQE?si=Rf4Z0jkeofH4bQtk

The Wasp (1984) book reviews: https://tinyurl.com/2mxhk6wf

Is there a hidden sexual symbolism behind the famous golden arches? Yes (apparently). I laughed at this, thinking it was BS, but today I realise I’m probably wrong. See subtle tweaks in logo designs dramatically change how they’re perceived. Today, I talk to Professor Nazuk Sharma as she explains how tweaks to design can make people buy. 

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Connect with Nazuk on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nazuksharma/

Nazuk’s Google Scholar Profile: https://tinyurl.com/bdduyt2k

The story behind McBreasts: https://tinyurl.com/2pdbx8ak

Every year $342 billion is spent on bottled water. And yet, for many of those customers a safer version, that tastes the same, is 300x cheaper. Our collective thirst for bottled water is largely irrational. It doesn’t make sense. But so, it seems, are the pricing strategies of several major brands, from fashion, to food, to flights, irrational prices often trump rational approaches. Today, Melina Palmer, host of the Brainy Business, explains why irrational prices surprisingly sell. 

Melina’s podcast: https://thebrainybusiness.com/

Melina’s book (with free chapters): https://thebrainybusiness.com/nudge

Fiji ad: https://tinyurl.com/yufdwdj9

Cleveland Utilities Response: https://tinyurl.com/4hhh45wj

Today, a world-leading neuroscientist explains everything wrong in my life. She details why marriages fail, if cleaning can be fun, how Facebook drove depression, and shares lessons on creativity. In 30 minutes, I learnt more about happiness than in the past 30 years. 

Access the bonus episode: https://nudge.ck.page/de30a8ac24

Tali’s book, Look Again: https://tinyurl.com/5n8p3btb

Tali’s lab: https://affectivebrain.com/?page_id=161

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In 2016 Amnesty international revealed how Microsoft, Volkswagen, and Samsung used suppliers with links to child labour. In 2017 BBC’s Panorama revealed how dozens of iPhone workers had committed suicide due to poor working conditions. In the summer of 2023 we learnt that Amazon’s UK division paid no corporation tax for the second year in a row. Did any of these unethical scandals directly affect sales? 

Nope. 

Today, professor Daniel Zane—who has studied the wilful ignorance customers have towards unethical practices—explains why.

Danny’s webpage at Lehigh: https://business.lehigh.edu/directory/daniel-zane

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Special days like Valentine’s day have an interesting effect on us. In ancient Roman times they inspired men to whip each other with animal hides. And today, they encourage men to spend hundreds on prospective partners. In today’s Nudge, researcher Danny Zane explains why this happens, sharing his eye-opening studies on how these special days affect us. 

Danny’s webpage at Lehigh: https://business.lehigh.edu/directory/daniel-zane

The dark history of Valentine’s day: https://tinyurl.com/yfh68kj5

My experiment with International Podcast Day: https://im.ge/i/PrV4l9

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Learn the 7 scientifically-proven tips which are certified to improve your offer, and create a promotion that’s “too good to refuse”. Today Thomas McKinlay, founder of Ariyh is back on the show with more marketing-science wisdom. You’ll hear why extraordinary long warranties win, how time-limited offers fail, and why a thank you note isn’t as sweet as it seems. 

Ariyh newsletter: https://ariyh.com/

The ecommerce playbook: https://ariyh.gumroad.com/l/ecommerce

Follow Thomas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasdmckinlay

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What do Bieber, Lorde, Cézanne, Monet, Nudge Podcast, and Rock Around The Clock have in common? They all became much more popular through exposure. In today’s episode of Nudge I’ll share the irrational psychology behind popularity, and you’ll learn what it takes to create a hit. 

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My billboard experiment: https://i.im.ge/2022/10/21/2Nj6C0.Costly-Signal.png

Grab your copy of Wallet-Opening Words here:

https://www.walletopeningwords.com/

Support me as I go full-time: 

Sharing secrets shouldn’t be frowned upon. Being open, transparent, and candid can work in your favour. Today I’m speaking to someone who doesn’t hide much, John Lee Dumas, host of Entrepreneurs on Fire, one of the world’s most popular business podcasts. John shares almost everything, from his exact monthly income, his tax saving schemes and intimate tours of his house. Today, I explain the psychology behind sharing secrets, and how John’s business probably benefited from his transparency. 

Listen to my bonus episode with JLD: https://nudge.ck.page/25236676ed

Listen to Entrepreneurs on Fire: https://www.eofire.com/podcast/

JLD’s website: https://www.eofire.com/

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