Recruiting the “Heavy-Using Loyalists of Tomorrow”: An Analysis of the Aims, Effects and Mechanisms of Alcohol Advertising, Based on Advertising Industry Evaluations
Research article
Abstract
Introduction
Restricting alcohol advertising and marketing is a cost-effective intervention for reducing alcohol harms.
However, the alcohol industry maintains that advertising does not affect consumption, claiming that its purpose is to help consumers choose brands, it is not aimed at young people, it only promotes “responsible consumption”, and any relationships with consumption are not causal.
Method
This study reviewed 39 case studies (1981–2016) published by the advertising industry, which evaluate the effects of alcohol advertising campaigns. The researchers used these to examine these industry claims.
Results
30/39 (77%) of the case studies mentioned increasing/maintaining market share as an objective, or used this to assess the effectiveness of advertising campaigns.
Most (25/39, 64%) found that campaigns increased consumption-related outcomes.
Some campaigns targeted women, and heavy alcohol users (e.g., Stella Artois lager, Famous Grouse whisky).
Campaigns often (13/39, 33%) targeted younger alcohol users.
Conclusion
These data show that advertising does influence market share.
Other effects reported in the case studies include changing the consumer profile towards: younger alcohol users, women, new/lapsed alcohol users, and heavy alcohol users.
The data also present evidence of a causal relationship between advertising and consumption.
In conclusion, this analysis, based on industry data, presents significant new evidence on (i) the effects of alcohol advertising on consumption-related outcomes, and (ii) the mechanisms by which it achieves those effects.