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Article
Transcending reality: Introducing mental time travel experiences and their ability to influence brand outcomes
Journal of Business Research (2023)
  • Jennifer Barhorst, College of Charleston
  • Graeme McLean, University of Strathclyde
  • Nina Krey
  • Ana Javornik, University of Bristol
  • Heiner Evanschitzky, University of Manchester
Abstract
This research introduces the concept of mental time travel experience (MTTE) to the experiential marketing literature as a new type of experience that marketers can evoke to prompt consumers to mentally travel to a different time in one’s personal past or forwards in time to one’s personal future. Although research indicates that experiences are a cornerstone of building positive brand equity for firms, and that humans are rarely mentally in the present moment, there is a distinct gap regarding experiences that take place in consumers’ minds. We address this gap with the introduction and examination of MTTEs with two between-subjects studies with 1,879 participants. Results identify three factors important to the elicitation of MTTEs and mental time travel to the past as a key factor to influencing behavioral intentions. Finally, findings indicate that lower states of immersion have the propensity to strengthen mental time travel's effect on behavioral intentions.
Keywords
  • mental time travel,
  • experiential marketing,
  • customer experience,
  • immersion,
  • augmented reality
Disciplines
Publication Date
September, 2023
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2023.113886
Citation Information
Jennifer Barhorst, Graeme McLean, Nina Krey, Ana Javornik, et al.. "Transcending reality: Introducing mental time travel experiences and their ability to influence brand outcomes" Journal of Business Research (2023)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/nina-krey/53/