The Psychology Marketers are Missing with Phill Agnew
The Psychology Marketers are Missing with Phill Agnew  
Podcast: The Marketing Architects
Published On: Tue May 26 2026
Description: Telling people not to listen drove three times more podcast listeners than telling them why they should. That's behavioral science at work, and most marketers are barely scratching the surface of it.This week, Elena, Angela, and Rob are joined by Phill Agnew, host of "Nudge," the UK's number one marketing podcast. Phill breaks down the hidden psychology that shapes how consumers think and buy, from why visible effort makes your brand more valuable to how scarcity can be applied in ways that go far beyond a "limited time offer." You'll walk away with principles you can apply immediately... and a few that might change how you think about advertising altogether.Topics covered:•    [03:00] The labor illusion: why showing your work increases perceived value•    [05:00] What System 1 vs. System 2 thinking means for marketers•    [12:00] Costly signaling and why TV advertising commands trust•    [17:00] The mere exposure effect•    [24:00] Distinctiveness vs. differentiation and how to stand out•    [33:00] Scarcity done right: the KFC Australia example.•    [40:00] The Pratfall Effect and why admitting weakness builds brand likability.To learn more, visit marketingarchitects.com/podcast or subscribe to our newsletter at marketingarchitects.com/newsletter.Resources:Buell, R. W., & Norton, M. I. (2011). The labor illusion: How operational transparency increases perceived value. Management Science, 57(9), 1564–1579. https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.1110.1376 2018 The Choice Factory Book: https://www.richardshotton.com/the-choice-factory Behavioral Business Book by Richard Chataway: https://www.amazon.com/Behaviour-Business-behavioural-science-business/dp/0857197347 Phill Agnew’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phill-agnew/Get more research-backed marketing strategies by subscribing to The Marketing Architects on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.