Do You See What I See? Effectiveness of 360-Degree vs. 2D Video Ads Using a Neuroscience Approach

Jose M Ausin-Azofra; Enrique Bigne; Carla Ruiz; Javier Marín-Morales; Jaime Guixeres; Mariano Alcañiz

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.612717

Do You See What I See? Effectiveness of 360-Degree vs. 2D Video Ads Using a Neuroscience Approach

Front Psychol. 2021 Feb 19:12:612717. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.612717. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Jose M Ausin-Azofra¹, Enrique Bigne², Carla Ruiz², Javier Marín-Morales¹, Jaime Guixeres¹, Mariano Alcañiz¹

Affiliations

¹ Instituto de Investigación e Innovación en bioingeniería (I3B), Universitat Politécnica de Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
² Departamento de Comercialización e Investigación de Mercados, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain.

Abstract

This study compares cognitive and emotional responses to 360-degree vs. static (2D) videos in terms of visual attention, brand recognition, engagement of the prefrontal cortex, and emotions. Hypotheses are proposed based on the interactivity literature, cognitive overload, advertising response model and motivation, opportunity, and ability theoretical frameworks, and tested using neurophysiological tools: electroencephalography, eye-tracking, electrodermal activity, and facial coding. The results revealed that gaze view depends on ad content, visual attention paid being lower in 360-degree FMCG ads than in 2D ads. Brand logo recognition is lower in 360-degree ads than in 2D video ads. Overall, 360-degree ads for durable products increase positive emotions, which carries the risk of non-exposure to some of the ad content. In testing four ads for durable goods and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) this research explains the mechanism through which 360-degree video ads outperform standard versions.

Keywords: 360-degree advertisement; consumer neuroscience; effectiveness; electrodermal activity; electroencephalography; eye tracking; facial-coding.