For battered brands, consumers can be defenders
Peer-Reviewed Publication
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 15-Nov-2025 16:11 ET (15-Nov-2025 21:11 GMT/UTC)
In newly published research, Texas McCombs Professor of Marketing Hoyer explores what drives different types of "brand defenders." “In today’s world, everything is a two-way interaction, and consumers get involved in the process,” Hoyer says. “They make videos and they stand up for the brands. They can be very valuable in offsetting negative communication.” How can companies can appeal to each type or brand defender?
Daily interactions with friends, even through something as simple as a text message, may reduce momentary loneliness for caregivers tending to a family member with dementia.
A study of 5,840 older adult migrants in China’s mainland revealed that only 19.9% had received education for self-help in public emergencies. Participation was lower among those aged over 75, long-term migrants, rural residents, individuals with lower education levels, those migrating for family or social reasons, and people without established health records. Researchers stress the need for targeted education strategies, such as online platforms and tailored community programs, to improve preparedness in this vulnerable group.