Brain research shows added value to live events
Most of the time we use our gut feeling to explain why the impact of ‘live’ events is so big. Now, we can prove it with science.
What’s going on in people’s minds when they visit a live event, such as an exhibition? In a unique study, five event organisers commissioned brain research into the effect of an exhibition visit on the subconscious. Dutch neuroscience agency Neurensics compared the value of live events with other forms of commercial information exchange such as video and commercials. With the medical device NIRS and MRI scanning, they showed that the value of a live contact is of a different order, more unconscious awareness of the message than that of a delayed or digital contact. It also became clear that video cannot replace an event, but it does extend the lifespan of an event. Initiators EventBranche.nl and partners RAI Amsterdam, DPG Media, D&B Event marketing and Party Rent Group want to scientifically substantiate the added value of live events.
Two studies: during the Huishoudbeurs event and at the University of Amsterdam
Scientists have equipped a representative group of 24 visitors of the Huishoudbeurs 2020 a consumer fair at RAI Amsterdam with the medical device NIRS (Near Infra-Red Spectography) that records the unconscious assessment of observations. Contact moments with exhibitors Weleda, Fruittella and The Famous Grouse were recorded with the video. The compilation of these images that represented the exhibition visit, with the welcome, a product introduction and closing with offerings were shown to the second group of 24 respondents. This gave them an’extended’ event experience. This time via MRI-scanner at the University of Amsterdam. Activated emotions in the brain were measured, also whether this activation leads to a positive or negative assessment.
Personal and direct contact is more effective
It seems that when someone is approached personally, the brain ‘consciously’ searches at an exhibition for the processing of information. This information is then evaluated in order to reach a conclusion. For example, storing new information or buying something. To see whether this effect applies specifically to a live event, or whether it also applies to forms of advertising such as TV commercials, for example, the experiment was extended with the second study.
“A special area of the brain participates actively in a live event, which is not or much less activated when watching a video”, says Martin de Munnik co-founder of Neurensics.
“This part of the brain is mainly involved in assessing the factual information provided. The energy used by the brain for this purpose is much greater than that of the control group. We see this as an investment that the brain makes in acquiring knowledge. It’s also the explanation for the fact that personal and direct contact is much more effective than a delayed contact”.
More activity in the brain during live event
To put it simply, our brain works with facts and emotions, the sum of which leads to behaviour, in this case wanting to buy something or not wanting to buy something. The decision itself is always emotional. What distinguishes us from other animal species is that we humans have a reason. Looking for what makes a live event so special, the scientists saw that it is mainly the activity in the area at the front of the brain, the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex (DLPFC). This part of the brain is considered responsible for planning and higher aspects of control, such as ‘monitoring’ behaviour and suppressing undesirable behaviour. In particular, processing the logic and structure of cognitive, factual information causes a lot of activity in this part of the brain. For example, the deeper emotional brain would like to decide to buy a certain product. It is then the DLPFC that can do some kind of last rational intervention: yes, because it is reliable and competent, or no, because it is not sensible, unhealthy.
Lean-in: the brain invests
A comparison of the brain activation of the exhibition visit with that of seeing video images such as commercials shows that the brain – thanks to its personal approach – is ‘consciously’ searching for information at the exhibition. Where the information of a commercial is passively processed.
The value of live events
the value of a live contact is of a different order than that of a delayed or digital contact
De Munnik: “What can advertisers learn from this study? This study shows that the value of a live contact is of a different order than that of a delayed or digital contact. With live contact, the scientists saw that the message is processed much more actively in the brain. The brain is not only unconsciously, but also consciously processing the information with live contact. Whether this is during the event visitor at the moment of the interaction between customer and seller. A good product proposition consists of a promise and proof. We then see that the brain wants to take the trouble to process and store the factual information. The personal approach that can give life through eye contact, a smile and non-verbal signals and a conversation seems to be the key to making this investment”.
An event is therefore ideally suited to lay the foundation for a communication strategy that requires demonstration or factual explanation. For example, at major changes within a company, at introductions or important moments. Products and services that need explanation or whose value needs to be substantiated with facts are also better suited to a form of eventing. Because of the proactive attitude of the brain, an investment is made in a valuable relationship.
