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Advertising and marketing

When it comes to convincing you to buy, brands have many tricks of the trade.

Articles

Penny Flanagan swears off customer loyalty programs The self-professed 'expert consumer' just wants to buy stuff, not join a cult.

Online competitions – the tricks and traps Too good to be true? Don't be fooled by alluring prizes.

36 health groups: federal government, you need to do more on obesity Key recommendations to prevent deaths and ease health costs.

TV shopping fails We take a look at five 'miracle' products being spruiked on daytime TV.

Kids targeted by junk food ads, call for government intervention Self-regulation isn't working, says Cancer Council NSW

Multi-level marketing schemes A good way to make money, or just another pyramid scheme?

Australia's top 100 food and drink companies 3 December 2015 | IBISWorld list of highest earners for 2015 reveals strong growth for dairy and meat processors.

University returns donation from Coke 11 November 2015 | CHOICE Shonky winner Global Energy Balance Network loses support from US University.

Front groups and 'astroturfing' The 'grassroots' movements campaigning on behalf of industry.

Pricing tricks Know when you're being taken for a pricing ride.

The rise of aroma marketing Is your nose falling prey to stealth advertising?

Who owns my brands? Are big companies giving us the illusion of choice, when in reality it's just more of the same?

Food styling tricks revealed With a few sneaky tricks, food stylists can manage to make ordinary food look fabulous.

Celebrity endorsements Do famous people really stand by the products they endorse, or is it just about the money?

Lifting the lid on corporate sponsorship How corporate sponsors exert influence on health-related organisations.

Cause-related marketing Do companies that claim to give a portion of the profits to charity really do good?

Lowest price and price match guarantees A “lowest price guarantee” isn't necessarily good for your bottom line.

Quality vs price When it comes to certain high-end products, are you paying a premium for quality or brand name?

Junk food advertising to kids One in four Australian children is overweight or obese. Is junk food advertising part of the problem?

Paid reviews vs genuine reviews Think twice before relying on a recommendation from a review website, blog or TV spot.

Products just for children Shampoos, drinks, toothpastes and sunscreens for kids – are they really necessary?

Advertising tricks revealed The tricks companies use to catch your attention and open your wallet.

Five strategies retailers use to make you spend more 20 August 2015 | Marketers know just how to push your buttons to get you to flash that cash.

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The advertising experts

Walking through the CHOICE office, you're likely to hear the groan of our experts uncovering yet another spurious advertising claim. Seeing through the marketing exaggerations, inaccuracies and outright lies is our experts' bread and butter, and they seriously enjoy sharing the worst ones!