Interference of picture and brand name in a multiple linkage ad context

Abstract

This study investigates the superiority effects of picture incongruency and brand name suggestiveness on recall of target benefit claims. Depending on the juxtaposition of the picture and brand name with these claims, a relevant picture can interfere with and inhibit recall of a brand name claim under selected conditions. Specifically, recall of brand name claim was higher under an irrelevant rather than a relevant picture condition. Similarly, a suggestive brand name interfered and diminished recall of a picture claim compared to a nonsuggestive brand name. Additionally, the recall patterns of the picture (source) versus the picture claim (target) under various incongruency conditions showed that the effectiveness of picture incongruency on traditional picture recall measure cannot be extended to picture-related claim recall performance. Explanations based on theoretical extensions to the associated network model and interference theory are furnished together with the managerial implications regarding the effective use of picture incongruency and brand name suggestiveness.