The thin line between manipulation and marketing

I watched this video a long time ago, but it struck a chord with me. I highly suggest you watch it. It talks about the dark side of the business Model Elements of Artificial Demand, Experience Selling, Owned Media and Earned Media.

Nowadays these marketing methods are used by many companies and are so ubiquitous that many people don\’t think twice about how they are used. These strategies and tactics are not objectively evil, nor are they purely honest either. These \’psychological hacks\’ aren\’t so black and white.

In my mind, this video raises a lot of questions about what is ethical in marketing. How far should we do in spreading the word of our wonderfully beneficial products and services? Should these marketing practices be banned? Or should marketers just use them and it is up to the individual consumer to defend themselves against it?

I still don\’t have the answer to these questions, other than to say, \’it depends\’.