• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Farnam Street Logo

Farnam Street

  • Articles
  • Newsletter
  • Podcast
  • Books
  • Courses
  • Log In
  • Become a Member
Tweet0Facebook0LinkedIn0Print0

The Knowledge Project Podcast

Rory Sutherland: The Psychology of Advertising [The Knowledge Project Ep. #19]

In this info-packed and entertaining interview, Rory Sutherland (@rorysutherland), goes deep on advertising, persuasion, and why humans do some of the silly things we do.

Rory Sutherland is the Vice-Chairman of Ogilvy & Mather Group, of the largest and most renowned advertising agencies in the world.

Rory started the behavioral insights team and spends his days applying behavioral economics and evolutionary psychology to solve problems that traditional advertising agencies haven’t been able to solve.

We discuss:

  • Why advertising agencies are being asked to solve airport security problems
  • How to reframe problems to synthesize happiness for customers even in the lousiest conditions
  • How great storytelling can do everything from increase sales to make beer taste better
  • Why companies are more willing to throw money at infrastructure than they are to invest in behavioral change (and why it backfires)
  • What doormen, London’s black cab service, and ancient medieval guilds can teach Silicon Valley about business
  • One of the most interesting studies ever done that shows how irrational humans are
  • “Transaction utility” and how context and expectations wildly influence how much we are willing to pay for goods and services

And that just scratches the surface. We tackle how to mess with self-driving cars, Rory’s reading habits, the intersection of advertising and psychology, why dry toilet paper is a Western abomination, and so much more.

Don’t miss this episode. Rory will forget more about advertising and behavioral psychology than most of us will learn during our lifetime. This is truly a masterclass from a persuasion technician that has few equals.

If you want to get better at divergent thinking, persuasion, or just want to know why we do some of the silly things we do, this episode is a must-listen.

Enjoy this amazing conversation.

Listen

  • Listen on Apple Podcats or Spotify
  • Stream by clicking here.

Transcript

Get transcripts, early access, ad-free episodes, and so much more. Learn more or sign up now.

Already a member? Head over to the Members Only area to access transcripts and other Member Only content.

Become a Member

More Episodes

Justin Su’a: Peak Mental Performance [The Knowledge Project Ep. #137]

Justin Su’a calls on more than a decade of working with the world’s top athletes to discuss how to improve your mental performance. …

Listen NowJustin Su’a: Peak Mental Performance [The Knowledge Project Ep. #137]

David Sinclair: Reversing the Aging Process [The Knowledge Project Ep. #136]

Biologist and genetics expert Dr. David Sinclair is out to prove he can live past 100 years old, and he thinks you can too. On this episode …

Listen NowDavid Sinclair: Reversing the Aging Process [The Knowledge Project Ep. #136]

Sarah Jones Simmer: The Foundation of Trust [The Knowledge Project Ep. #135]

Sarah Jones Simmer calls on her years of experience as an advisor, investor, and top-level executive to offer a series of crucial career …

Listen NowSarah Jones Simmer: The Foundation of Trust [The Knowledge Project Ep. #135]
The Knowledget Product podcast cover

The Knowledge Project

A podcast about mastering the best of what other people have already figured out. The Knowledge Project focuses on insights and lessons that never expire. You’ll walk away from every episode with actionable insights that help you get better results and live a more meaningful life.

Listen now onApple Podcasts
More Options
  • Spotify
  • Google Podcast
  • Overcast
  • g id="Pocket-Casts-Roundel---Red">Pocket Casts
  • RSS

Never miss an episode

A podcast about mastering the best of what other people have already figured out.

No Spam. No Politics. No Fluff. No Noise.

Farnam Street Logo

© 2022 Farnam Street Media Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Proudly powered by WordPress. Hosted by Pressable. See our Privacy Policy.

  • Speaking
  • Sponsorship
  • About
  • Support
  • Education

We’re Syrus Partners.
We buy amazing businesses.


Farnam Street participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising commissions by linking to Amazon.