Advertising Distinctiveness and Consumer Memory in Competitive Ad Environments

Abstract

It is becoming increasingly difficult for advertisers to reach target consumers because memory for an ad is inhibited in the presence of competing ads. While previous studies have focused on ad repetition as a factor that can reduce competitive interference, this study focuses on ad distinctiveness. We compare the effects of ad distinctiveness on recall for the ad and its competing ad in high competitive ad environments with those in relatively low competitive ad environments. Regarding the effect of ad distinctiveness on recall for the focal ad, the results show that when an advertiser makes its ad distinctive, recall for its own ad is enhanced in both high and low competitive ad environments although the positive effect is relatively weak in high competitive environments. The results also show that, regarding the effect of ad distinctiveness on recall for its competing ad, when an advertiser makes its ad distinctive, recall for its competing ad is enhanced in low competitive ad environments rather than in high competitive ad environments.

Keywords

• competitive ad environments
• ad distinctiveness
• memory
• competitive interference