A Good Mind

James Vicary was an American marketing researcher who became famous for his claim that he had discovered a technique called subliminal advertising, which involved flashing messages too quickly for conscious awareness during movies. He claimed that these subliminal messages could influence viewers' behaviour and increase sales of products.

While Vicary's claims were widely reported in the media, subsequent research has failed to provide strong evidence to support the idea of subliminal advertising. Nevertheless, the concept of subliminal messaging continues to be of interest to marketers and advertisers and has been used in a range of contexts, including music, television, and print media.

Vicary's work highlights the potential power of marketing and advertising and the need for consumers to be aware of the strategies and techniques used to influence their behaviour. By being mindful of these tactics, individuals can make more informed and intentional decisions about their purchases and consumption habits and avoid being unduly influenced by marketing messages.