No secret here. The power of advertising is to suggest that you need something. Sometimes you didn’t even know you needed that something. Such is the case in some types of medical advertising. Is your skin red and flushed looking? It might be rosacea! Trouble falling asleep? Get some Ambien! On MSNBC.com today there is an article about Requip, the medicine for “restless legs syndrome.” Apparently, since the drug got approved in 2005, the company has been advertising and inquiries about the “syndrome”and the drug have increased dramatically. However, the drug is just about to go generic, and thus, Requip will no longer be advertised as heavily. They are expecting a drop in people with “restless legs syndrome.” Read the story here http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24603237/
In any case, this speaks volumes about the power of suggestion (and persuasion). And really, about the power of advertising. We tend to believe what we see on TV. And we are concerned about our health, so advertising on TV about our health seems to be very effective.
About Deborah Brody
Deborah Brody writes and edits anything related to marketing communications. Most blog posts are written under the influence of caffeine.
Back in the ’90’s, a furniture chain called Smith’s Home Furnishings had a lock on mattress sales in the Portland, OR market. They were so strong that most competitors didn’t advertise much — the perception was that Smith’s owned the category.
Late in the decade, Smith’s went out of business and closed all their stores. Soon afterwards, Sleep Train and Sleep Country USA entered the market, advertising heavily. Sensing an opportunity, BedMart also ramped up their marketing.
By the following year, mattress sales in Portland rose 12%. Not because there were more people — the population held steady. But because there was more advertising, area residents became more aware of their sore backs, and headed for the mattress store.
Advertising can’t create a problem where none exists. But it can offer a solution to a problem that a consumer didn’t realize he had…
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