The lead ad in the Dec. 14, 2009 print edition of Brandweek is from CNN.com touting its “more effective ad units.” The trade ad from the “#1 news homepage” says that it tested its ad products using “objective biometric and eye tracking researching.”  CNN engaged the services of neuromarketer Innerscope Research and its co-founder, Harvard professor Dr. Carl Marci. Innerscope just became the first “neuroscience- based biometric company validated by the Advertising Research Foundation’s [ARF] review process.” According to ARF, Innerscope:
 “Addresses all levels of impact and response to media with its capabilities;
• Combines well-developed, biological-psychological concepts and theories with both scientiï¬cally-validated tools and creative approaches to research problems;
• Delivers “superb†scientiï¬c and analytic expertise, with a scientiï¬c approach that supports a consistent, thorough validation program;
• Provides results that are reliable and valid, helping clients to make proper advertising and marketing decisions; and
• Possesses tools and methods that can be used for any communication element, including hard-to-measure areas such as product placement, ads in video games and social media.”Â
Among the proven benefits to advertisers of its interactive ad units (based on this research) says CNN.com in its Brandweek ad are:
“17% increase in thought and processing; 21% higher emotional engagement; 22% better recognition; 31%Â faster recognition; 50% increase in thought and processing; 56% higher emotional engagement.”