Douglas Van Praet

About

Douglas Van Praet is the author of Unconscious Branding: How Neuroscience Can Empower (and Inspire) Marketing. He is also the founder of a marketing consultancy whose approach to advertising and marketing draws from unconscious behaviorism and applies neurobiology, evolutionary psychology, and behavioral economics to business problems. He has worked at agencies and corporations in N.Y. and L.A. and positioned many of the most iconic brands in advertising, most recently as executive vice president at Deutsch L.A., where his responsibilities included group planning director for the Volkswagen account.

Recent Posts

From Illness to Adaptation

Researchers have unmasked a fresh new perspective on narcissistic personality disorder that may improve treatment and help stem the tide of narcissistic injury and abuse.

5 Reasons People Put Up With Abusive Relationships

From the outside, victims who remain in abusive relationships may appear irrational. But there are strong and rational reasons some people stay.

Why Small Incentives Can Work Better Than Big Ones

If you think bonuses, discounts or prizes are great ways to influence action, think again. Smaller rewards not only cost less, but they can be much better at changing minds.

5 Reasons Marketers Are Like Pathological Narcissists

Are marketers trying to connect you to the right product? Or are they simply exploiting your psychology to sell their product?

The Psychology Behind the $500,000 Handbag

Are you in love with a handbag or obsessed with a watch you can’t afford? Knowing why may change your mind and save you cash.

Watching Food Advertising Seems to Trigger Automatic Eating

Watching food ads may do more than influence the brands that you choose. They may also be increasing how much you're eating.

Our Brains Make Up Our Minds Before We Know It

In the bustle of our daily lives, many of our choices are made without any conscious thought.

Our Brains Divulge Our Decisions Before We Even Know Them

Recent research explores how non-conscious activity precedes personal choice.

Why Warnings, Guidelines, and Restrictions Don’t Work

The key to influence behavior change in others is deceptively easy, if you first become the change you seek in them.

The Power of Innuendo in Ads

Advertisers and consumers need to think more about the connotations than the actual messages.