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3. Research aim, questions and significance
This research aims to gain insights into the influence of social media posts (i.e. Instagram) with
branded information about dining and lifestyle on consumer responses and marketing communications
outcomes. This research asks: 1) if there is any effects of Instagram posts on consumer responses
and marketing communications outcomes depending on Instagrammer sexes, message framing types
and consumer segments; 2) what the role of envy is in social media marketing. This research provides
practical implications on creative strategies/executions of marketing communications campaigns for
restaurant and lifestyle product/services.
4. Research method
This research employed a 2 factor (male vs. female Instagrammer) x 2 factor (male vs. female
consumer) x 2 factor (neutral vs. bragging message framings) between-subject experimental online
survey (see these visual ad stimuli in Figure 1 below). This means each participant saw one Instagram
post in a randomised fashion. Before exposure, all participants rated their hunger. All participants were
told to view an Instagram post of a food blogger and see if the experience is desirable and that they
could view it as long as they wished just like how they viewed Instagram posts. After exposure, all
participants were asked the same questions to investigate the influence of visual/verbal cues before
providing personal information.