Are You Being Emotionally Targeted by Businesses?
While reading the latest post from Laurie Sullivan at Behavioral Insider (the inside line on behavioral marketing), I learned that Yahoo recently re- filed for a patent for a product they call emoticlips. As I understand, this little product allows users to select an emoticlip in which their emotional status can be expressed. What may not be present to the user is that this emoticlip will allow potential products and services to be marketed to them based on their emotional status. It isn’t clear by the patent details if this is technology that Yahoo has already deployed since this patent has been previously filed.
I’m curious to know what you all think in terms of how this ‘emotion marketing’ could apply to you and how it would affect either the way you purchase or market products. Do you think that you would segment your marketing efforts to a specific emotion that someone is having?
I’m personally split on this topic. I kind of think that preying on people’s emotions, or moods in particular, may be bad for business. However, what if the purpose of your business is to know exactly when someone is in the mood, and needs what you sell? Is it any different than looking for certain other types of triggers or habits?
I’m interested in what you think about this ostensibly controversial topic. Let me know in the comments section below!
