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The Power of a Word: Measuring the Real Impact of Language in Marketing

  • ARF

How much impact can a single word have in a marketing message? A new study introduces a cutting-edge causal inference framework using language models to quantify the exact influence of words—such as “you” or “thank you”—on consumer engagement. The findings show that traditional A/B tests often miss these nuanced effects, while this new method isolates true word-level causal impacts, with big implications for advertising and fundraising success.

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The State of Retail Media Networks & Consumer Behavior

  • Shopper 2025

On May 21, the industry’s top minds gathered in Chicago for a look at the future of retail, media, and consumer behavior and dove into the rapidly evolving role of Retail Media Networks (RMNs). Attendees gained actionable insights on the opportunities and challenges that RMNs present. Leading experts led discussions on optimizing RMN investments, navigating sales attribution complexities, adopting an "omni-normal" approach to connect with shoppers across all touchpoints, harnessing AI for brands and consumers, and more.

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People’s Performance Goals Shape Their Use of Predictive Algorithms

This study presents a framework for understanding people’s use of predictive algorithms, emphasizing their role as tools designed to support human decision-making. It argues that users’ performance expectations are a primary driver of their decisions to adopt these algorithms. By reviewing and reinterpreting the literature through the lens of laypeople’s performance expectations, the study aims to clarify why some algorithms are accepted and others are rejected. It concludes by suggesting avenues for designing algorithms that better meet users’ expectations, enhancing their usability and acceptance.

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  • Article

Unpacking Ad Effectiveness: The Roles of Media, Creativity, Branding, Targeting and Premium vs. UGC Content

  • ARF ORIGINAL RESEARCH

The ARF and MediaScience have conducted a comprehensive study to understand the relative contributions of media platforms, creative quality, brand recognition and targeting, as well as the impact of premium versus user-generated content (UGC) on overall advertising effectiveness. Using eye tracking, neurometric data and post-exposure surveys, the study examined ad effectiveness through consumer recall, recognition, brand favorability and purchase intent. Most prior research based on CPG sales concludes that creative is more dominant in the success of a campaign. This study, based on multiple categories and biometric and neuro measures concludes that media is just as important.

The study confirms key findings from prior research, such as the importance of media platforms (with podcasts and TV excelling in recall), high-quality creative improving sentiment, and targeted advertising enhancing engagement. It also supports the role of digital UGC in driving purchase intent due to its relatability. However, it challenges existing assumptions by showing no significant biometric differences between high- and standard-quality digital creative. Notably, UGC outperformed premium digital content in purchase intent and likeability, especially for unknown brands—a finding specific to mobile platforms where the comparison was conducted. These insights reflect shifting dynamics in ad effectiveness and the growing role of relatability and platform-specific optimization.

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Shopper Insights Council: Diving into Key Issues in Shopper Marketing

  • Shopper Council

As the shopper marketing landscape continues to evolve rapidly, the ARF’s Shopper Insights Council held a half-day event that offered two unique opportunities: 1) To hear from knowledgeable speakers about Retail Media Networks and omnichannel shopper marketing; 2) To participate in focused workshops and share perspectives, concerns and best practices with others in the industry having similar roles.

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