The Attention Economy: Why not all reach is equal with Karen Nelson Field
Jan 29, 2025
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Karen Nelson-Field, a world expert on attention measurement and author, dives into the complexities of the attention economy. She highlights the evolution of attention in advertising and the crucial difference between active and passive engagement. The discussion explores how platforms manipulate user focus and the limitations of traditional metrics like CPM. Karen also introduces the concept of attention elasticity and the importance of measuring actual viewer engagement, ultimately advocating for innovative strategies to enhance advertising effectiveness.
Measuring attention, both active and passive, is essential for marketers to ensure meaningful engagement and effective advertising outcomes.
The podcast emphasizes the need to replace traditional metrics like CPM with attention-based measures to enhance ad performance transparency.
Deep dives
The Importance of Attention in Marketing
Capturing audience attention is crucial in today's fragmented media landscape, where traditional advertising methods often fall short. Marketers must prioritize planning based on attention rather than merely reach, as passive exposure to ads is insufficient for meaningful engagement. Science suggests that attention significantly influences advertising outcomes, as ads that effectively resonate with viewers generate more substantial brand recall and emotional connection. Attention, whether passive or active, should be seen as a vital metric; without it, brands risk losing their impact and relevance in the market.
Understanding Different Types of Attention
The podcast differentiates between active and passive attention, offering insights into how both can be measured and their respective impacts on marketing effectiveness. Active attention occurs when a viewer intentionally focuses on content, while passive attention involves a peripheral awareness of ads without conscious engagement. Capturing data on these states allows marketers to gauge viewer experiences accurately, ultimately linking attention to advertising outcomes. This understanding is supported by historical perspectives on attention measurement and the necessity of refining metrics to suit contemporary digital platforms.
The Relationship Between Attention and Memory
Attention plays a significant role in memory retention, with findings indicating that the more frequently viewers switch between content, the less likely they are to remember the information. The podcast highlights research showing a memory threshold of around two and a half seconds, below which most ads fail to register effectively in the viewer's mind. This correlation between sustained attention and memory underscores the need for marketers to create content that fosters active engagement rather than relying on fleeting impressions. By increasing time spent processing information, brands can improve their visibility and recall among consumers.
The Flaws of Traditional Metrics and the Future of Measurement
The podcast critiques conventional advertising metrics such as CPM (cost per thousand impressions), emphasizing that not all impressions are equal regarding viewer engagement and effectiveness. It stresses that many advertisers pay for impressions but don’t receive meaningful viewing time, leading to financial inefficiencies. Attention metrics are posited as a future direction for improving transparency and accuracy in ad performance measurement. The conversation highlights the industry's shift towards standardizing attention-based metrics, allowing marketers to understand the true value of their investments and optimize their strategies accordingly.
Dr Karen Nelson Field is a multiple returning guest to the podcast, talking about her book "The Attention Economy: A Category Blueprint" which takes an in-depth look into the dynamic world of marketing and advertising, unveiling the pivotal role that human attention measurement plays in the present and future landscape. In this episode we discuss the history of attention, how the platforms are manipulating our attention, why not all reach is equal, and, ultimately, what we can do about it.
00:00 - Intro 00:49 - Karen’s new book 01:42 - The history of attention 03:20 - The case for attention 04:17 - The difference between active and passive attention 09:37 - Linking attention to memory 11:30 - Linking attention to advertising outcomes 14:12 - The concept of attention elasticity 15:17 - How platforms are manipulating our attention 17:51 - How to measure attention 20:10 - Seen vs served 25:22 - How is the industry progressing? 27:21 - Is there a new metric we can use in place of CPM? 29:10 - How to buy media based on attention 31:25 - Karen’s new course 32:31 - How is Amplified Intelligence going
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