You know it and I know it . . . advertising can be very entertaining . . . well, sometimes . . . but . . . no matter how special a commercial may seem, there is always a persuasive agenda at work, a goal of influence.

New trends in advertising have taken a turn toward what may seem to be odd theories that promote products and services without actually mentioning the product or service in the advertisement. Somehow, just being engaging seems to get the point across and drive sales . . . however, even the most oblique commercial employs solid influence techniques following sound theory of social influence.

Even seemingly innocent short films such as those within this collection – while quite entertaining – have an influence agenda at work.

Advertisers – and other communicators or social influencers – use a number of time tested methods to appeal to our unconscious in ways to affect change. This may be simple emotional appeals or more complex techniques such as erotic image display or sexual fantasy reference.

Lifehacker has a worthwhile article that goes over a number of these methods in precisely just How Advertising Manipulates Your Choices and Spending Habits (and What to Do About It). See http://lifehacker.com/5824328/how-advertising-manipulates-your-choices-and-spending-habits-and-what-to-do-about-it for the piece.

Want to know more about social influence and how you can protect yourself from unscrupulous methods as well as how you can employ social influence techniques to enhance your persuasive successes? See http://www.briandavidphillips.com/training/powerinfluence.html for details on how you can become a power communicator using HYPNOTIC SOCIAL INFLUENCE.

– Brian