In response to Robert McCarthy's Catcy-Tunes

Do you think catchy tunes are effective in commercials? What else makes something stick in your head?

As a musician I must say there is a reason for pieces of music being catchy and I'm sure musicians and marketers alike have come to a conclusion on how to make it work as far as creating a melody in which a customer can have stuck in their head in liking the company or not. No matter if the customer likes the piece or finds it annoying the consumer will remember the company none the less and may purchase something from the company. Psychologically catchy music has been stuck in people's head for centuries depending on the piece of music. Traditionally if the piece has notes that are too counterpuntal and complex (having a busy and congested harmony) its diffucult for the ear to follow but if the music is more spacially spread out and uses typical chord structures it is easily remembered and stuck in your head. An example of typical chords that are easily tied to memory in a given major key signature typically chosen over minor in a advertisment are the I-IV-V-I tonality. These chords are the most common or predomiant in a key signature. This is the logical reason why songs get stuck in the consumers' head. Its interesting how music can be tied to the customer, used for marketing, and the tool of getting a piece of music stuck in one's head as a marketing tool. It should be noted that some marketing campaignes do sometimes use popular songs and pieces from the baroque, classical, and romantic period to draw attention to their product. Several of these songs are popular or familiar and usually conjure up feeings about the product. Music or aural perception is tied to vivid memories such as the sense of smell is tied to memories as well. Marketers as well can manipulate the power of music in advertising campaignes as well but again its a powerful tool.

Other ways in advertisements that get stuck in peoples heads maybe the topic in the advertisement, the scene, the acting, if their is a joke or a punch line such as a TV ad on the Superbowl which may be commical or fun. Marketing campaignes in the realm of using good acting, music, and culture can make advertisements inventive and fun for both the company and the consumer and also drawing in that consumer to purchase their product. I am very glad that Robert McCarthy brought up the power of music in advertisment, it is a powerful too which can be used for good or for propoganda. Many may not know it but music can attack and sway the customer's emotions and senses for good or bad. It is a very interesting topic.