Marketing & sales

Using smartphone location data, UVA Darden Professor Young Hou discovered something unexpected about the famous Popeyes-Chick-fil-A rivalry: the viral sandwich launch lifted all boats, boosting competitors' foot traffic rather than stealing customers.

The chief marketing officer is often blamed for poor growth performance. But new research from UVA Darden’s Kimberly A. Whitler suggests that the fault could lie in the design of the CMO role.

A landmark study of 60,000+ people across 63 countries reveals how specific messages — from emotional appeals to future-focused thinking — impact climate beliefs, policy support and real action. The key? Tailored strategies, not one-size-fits-all campaigns.

Computer simulations have been used for decades to predict outcomes. Now digital twins create virtual environments that not only mirror their real-world counterparts but also respond to real-time data to yield more confident decision making.

Writing for The Conversation, Ray Charles “Chuck” Howard, associate professor of business administration at UVA Darden, joins colleague Marcel Lukas of University of St Andrews to explore why we avoid checking our bank accounts when we fear bad news and the financial implications of this behavior.

Ever wondered why your budget always seems to fall short? Or why that freelance consulting gig didn't pay off as much as you expected? Research from UVA Darden's associate professor Ray Charles “Chuck” Howard sheds light on the psychological pitfalls we face when it comes to money.

Darden Professor Anthony Palomba discusses how consumers perceive streaming services based on the companies’ original series, and how those series inform customer loyalty and the value viewers place on a brand associated with shows they find appealing.

The proliferation of AI has given rise to fear of job replacement across many industries, including entertainment. The WGA and SAG-AFTRA went on strike, including in their demands protection from the use of AI by studios. Is this a real or perceived threat, and what is the potential impact on the consumer experience?

Advertisements used to be an inevitable companion to entertainment. The industry thrives; the average American consumes about six hours of media a day. But as methods of media consumption change, the audience is not necessarily captive. So how do advertisers find creative ways to get their messages across and people still willing to receive them?

Leverage the potential of artificial intelligence, the value of first-party data and the power of stickers: Darden Professor Raj Venkatesan discusses the importance of personalization and data-driven marketing — and offers his blueprint to navigating the marketing revolution.