Media & Communication: Research Guide

Despite its widespread use and significant impact, influencer marketing is surrounded by uncertainties, ambiguities and controversies, both for practitioners and general public.

In an increasingly fierce war for attention, the temptation to shock in order to make an impression exists. But what are the results?

Campaigns, take note: Conservatives are more likely to click on search ads.

If you can remember a brand’s jingle from 40 years ago, there are good reasons why.

Americans are being targeted with an unprecedented number of political attack ads this election season, and research shows that these ads can leave voters feeling exhausted, angry and stressed.

The UK has banned tobacco adverts at sports games since 2002. There is no equivalent for climate-wreckers.

No one wants to spend their hard-earned money on a dud product, so we’ll seek advice from strangers. Online reviews can help – but often lead us down the wrong path.

Guinness adverts show how African men’s search for validation can enrich western corporations.

Ads for the Hell Pizza chain regularly invite complaints on religious grounds. But none have been upheld, reflecting more tolerant standards in an increasingly less Christian country.

Current regulations are not enough – we need an advertising ban and loss limits to reduce Australians’ huge gambling losses and the harm it causes.

Mambo’s Chicken regularly uses chicken breasts and thighs to objectify women. What does that say about men?

Famous people are becoming entrepreneurs rather than just being the face of big brands.

Is the current debate around gambling ad bans feeling a bit familiar? It’s reminiscent of previous efforts by the masters of spin themselves.

The argument that we need to protect sports gambling ads to look after the interests of giant media brands has little merit. Losing this revenue would hurt, but the industry would be able to adapt.

Lobbyists for Australia’s gambling sector argue advertising isn’t normalising the practice to children and that any ban would force people to bet illegally. Results here and globally say otherwise.

Fashion can be a useful vehicle for political messages – until someone asks who makes the clothing.

The line between high-quality search results, advertisements and spam on Google is increasingly blurred.

Newhart showed how standup comedy could also be an art form, particularly with his ‘Abe Lincoln vs. Madison Avenue’ bit.

Cutting marketing spending helps businesses in the short term but often backfires in the long term. Research could help investors identify those bad decisions.

Children, busy parents and young people can be more easily swayed by unhealthy food ads. We found campaigns aimed at all of them.

A poll of 2000 people found that a traffic light labelling system for adverts promoting high-carbon products is a popular option.

One New Zealand’s ‘Let’s Get Connected’ campaign finds humour and emotion in a story of adoption – but glosses over the pain and loss of its reality.

Fossil fuel ad bans are gaining traction overseas, but New Zealand has so far shown few signs of wanting to be at the forefront of the movement.

Online advertising featuring bright colors, cartoon figures and promotions by social media influencers entice adolescents to try tobacco.

Crushing pianos, video games and emojis doesn’t seem to have delivered the slick messaging the brand was aiming for.

Beauty brand Dove hit the headlines for rejecting AI in its marketing – but there’s more to the claims than meets the eye.

From a lack of bipartisan support to other concerns such as rising cost of living, a complex array of reasons contributed to the Voice referendum’s failure in October 2023.

Too much virtue language in a listing can cost an Airbnb host nearly $5,000 a year.

College athletes have made substantial progress in being able to get paid for the use of their name, image and likeness − except in one realm.

This morning, breakfast television shows will be reporting obscure, although mildly believable, announcements from organisations and brands – but keep you wits about you!