

Behavioral Science For Brands: Leveraging behavioral science in brand marketing.
Consumer Behavior Lab
The Consumer Behavior Lab is dedicated to teaching marketersacross the United States how behavioral science principles can beapplied to help their brands. By decoding the underlying motivationsof how consumers make decisions, the CBL seeks to make a betterindustry - where both brands and agencies put proven sciencebehind their decision making.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 9, 2023 • 29min
How Spotify harnesses the fresh start effect to encourage new listening habits
Discussion of Spotify's invite-only scarcity tactic and how scarcity plus social proof boosted early growth. Exploration of time-limited playlists like Discover Weekly and how time scarcity creates urgency. Explanation of the fresh start effect and nine-enders as moments that spark new habits. Talk about using digital targeting to activate these behavioral moments for marketing.

May 2, 2023 • 23min
How Uber creates psychological distance to make prices feel smaller
Discussion of Uber’s testing lab and large-scale field experiments on pricing and behavior. Exploration of the pain of payment and how contactless methods, chips, and subscriptions reduce it. Examination of precision pricing, charm pricing, and left-digit bias to make prices feel smaller. Examples include surge pricing perception and defaults that boost retention.

Mar 27, 2023 • 25min
Bonus Episode - The key lessons from Richard’s new book, The Illusion of Choice
A deep dive into the stories and experiments behind a new behavioral science book. Conversations cover how a blood donation insight sparked a research path and why rerunning studies for commercial testing matters. Learn about memory-boosting concreteness, surprising fairness effects, and the book’s unusual 16.5-chapter structure. Practical tips on testing simple behavioral fixes are also featured.

Mar 6, 2023 • 13min
How Wellow uses the science of sound to signal comfort
They unpack how sound symbolism shaped the name 'Wello' to evoke comfort. Color choices and yellow’s associations are linked to perceived effects. The team emphasizes designing for ease rather than motivation to nudge behavior. Precise numeric claims and product design details are shown as tools to boost credibility and reduce friction.

Feb 13, 2023 • 13min
How Pringles used rhyme to become America’s top chip
A dive into how Pringles’ tube and stackable chip design solved a real consumer problem. An exploration of rhyme and the Keats heuristic and why rhyme boosts perceived truth and memorability. A look at sonic branding, why simple tactics like jingles work, and why agencies often avoid straightforward solutions. Practical marketing takeaways about aligning incentives and favoring outcomes over showy complexity.

Jan 26, 2023 • 18min
How Amazon has ruthlessly removed friction to encourage customers to come back for more
A deep dive into how removing friction shapes customer behavior. Short segments cover one-click purchasing and the physical origins of seamless checkout. Discussion of how memberships like Prime create commitment and spending. Practical takeaways urge shifting budgets from persuasion to simplifying the customer journey.

14 snips
Dec 12, 2022 • 14min
How Häagen-Dazs used foreign branding to create a premium image
Explore the intriguing world of branding through Häagen-Dazs's clever use of a Scandinavian name to elevate its image to luxury status. Discover how foreign branding influences consumer perceptions and creates expectations of quality. Delve into the ethical considerations of using behavioral science in marketing strategies, emphasizing the balance between persuasion and manipulation. Plus, learn how strategic pricing comparisons can shift consumer views, making products seem more appealing by aligning them with premium options.

Dec 6, 2022 • 15min
How L'Oréal emphasizes their cost to signal quality
L'Oréal Paris' famed tagline, “Because You’re Worth It” has been used by the brand for over 50 years. This episode explores how L'Oréal has used behavioral science tactics such as perceptual fluency and literal & lateral applications to boost its perception of value and popularity over the years with its consumers.

27 snips
Dec 4, 2022 • 13min
How Aperol applies the power of lateral social proof to become more appealing
Explore how Aperol's vibrant orange color and visual branding play a pivotal role in its popularity. The discussion dives into the power of lateral social proof, showcasing how communal experiences boost consumer engagement. Discover the seasonal charm of the Aperol Spritz as a summertime favorite. Learn about the gap between intention and action in marketing and how Aperol cleverly uses positive associations to turn intentions into purchases. Behavioral models are also unveiled, linking cues and motivation to effective marketing strategies.

13 snips
Dec 4, 2022 • 12min
How Aboslut’s distinctiveness helped them grow market share in a crowded category
Explore how brands can avoid invisibility by breaking conventions and creating distinction. Discover the Von Restorff Effect and its impact on consumer perception and brand visibility. Learn how Absolut turned its iconic bottle shape into a cultural landmark through innovative marketing strategies. The podcast also delves into inattentional blindness, revealing the common pitfalls brands face in competitive markets, and highlights how aligning product design with consumer behavior can lead to market success.


