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What’s in a name? Examining the effect of phonetic fit between spokesperson name and product attributes on source credibility

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  • Stacey Baxter
  • Jasmina Ilicic
  • Alicia Kulczynski

Abstract

This study investigates the effect of phonetic fit between spokesperson name and product attributes on perceived source credibility, namely, spokesperson expertise, attractiveness and trustworthiness. We manipulate phonetic fit through a 2 (spokesperson name: front vs. back) × 2 (product attribute: crisp vs. smooth) factorial design whilst controlling for spokesperson and product attractiveness. Results show that a phonetic fit between the name of the spokesperson and product attributes encourages positive perceptions of spokesperson credibility, irrespective of whether a spokesperson is visually presented in an advertisement. Finally, results demonstrate that phonetic fit (front (back) vowel spokesperson name with crisp (smooth) product attributes) can promote positive attitudes towards an advertisement and product, as well as purchase intention, with these relationships mediated by perceptions of spokesperson credibility. Findings from this research are able to aid advertisers and brand managers in the creation of effective and persuasive spokes/brand-characters. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media New York 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Stacey Baxter & Jasmina Ilicic & Alicia Kulczynski, 2015. "What’s in a name? Examining the effect of phonetic fit between spokesperson name and product attributes on source credibility," Marketing Letters, Springer, vol. 26(4), pages 525-534, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:mktlet:v:26:y:2015:i:4:p:525-534
    DOI: 10.1007/s11002-014-9287-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Stacey M. Baxter & Jasmina Ilicic & Alicia Kulczynski & Tina M. Lowrey, 2017. "Using sublexical priming to enhance brand name phonetic symbolism effects in young children," Marketing Letters, Springer, vol. 28(4), pages 565-577, December.
    2. Daniel Kaimann & Clarissa Laura Maria Spiess Bru, 2023. "Sounds too Feminine? Brand Gender and The Impact on Professional Critics," Working Papers Dissertations 107, Paderborn University, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics.
    3. Halder, Deepa & Pradhan, Debasis & Roy Chaudhuri, Himadri, 2021. "Forty-five years of celebrity credibility and endorsement literature: Review and learnings," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 397-415.
    4. Alicia Kulczynski & Stacey Brennan & Jasmina Ilicic, 2021. "A spokesperson with any name won’t be as charming: the phonetic effect of spokesperson name and gender on personality evaluations," Journal of Brand Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 28(2), pages 221-239, March.
    5. Ruomeng Wu & Esta D. Shah & Frank R. Kardes & Robert S. Wyer, 2020. "Technical nomenclature, everyday language, and consumer inference," Marketing Letters, Springer, vol. 31(2), pages 299-310, September.

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