What does a behavioural insight & communication agency do? What is behavior change marketing?

Sometimes these questions are asked of me. Sometimes I answer by describing the output – digital ads, brand tests, playbooks, conversion upgrades – but that is a bit execution focused, and does underplay some of the magic that comes from a psychological approach. Sometimes I focus on the input – the universal, deep-seated responses that are ubiquitous, persistent and near-costless to enact – and that can feel a bit loose; It’s what someone who was bulls****ing would say, no?

The reality is more like shooting light through a prism to see the component parts – translating the world that I see from a behavioral point of view into clear communication options and examples. And in that regard, MSNBC TV Anchor Ari Melber created a very good example for me. On his show he spent one segment breaking down a verse of rapper Jay-Z’s track ‘God Did’  (in which he discusses ‘draconian’ drug laws, the discrimination and double standards of prohibition policies, and Jay-Z’s own life, philosophy and business accomplishments).

Instead of Ari Melber examining Jay-Z lyrics, it’s me examining the behavioral techniques present or missing in a client’s piece of communication. (Not quite as start studded of course!)

For more on this speak with us, or have a look at our capabilities

Also, as co-founders and supporters of the London Behavioural Economics Network, join the Meetup group and Facebook group for more details and events

Ari Melber Behavioural insights Behavioural science Jay-Z MSNBC