The Brand Communication Effects of using a Headline to Prompt the Key Benefit in ADS with Pictorial Metaphors

This study investigated the differential effects of adding an explanatory headline to ads with a pictorial metaphor on brand communication effects. An experimental study compared the effects of adding a moderate headline, which gives a clue to the ad's message, or a complete headline, which clearly spells out the ad's message, to an ad without a headline. Results show that a complete headline leads to more positive brand communication effects than a moderate headline or no headline at all. A complete headline results in stronger brand beliefs about the key benefit conveyed by the pictorial metaphor, which in turn leads to a more positive brand attitude.