Dead America

In the interview we discussed the psychology of love and brand love, emphasizing the brain's response to products and people. We also touched on the impact of social media on relationships and the importance of in-person interactions. Then we discussed the difference between face-to-face and online interactions, highlighting the need for empathy and compassion. Aaron mentions an organization called Braver Angels that promotes productive conversations between liberals and conservatives. The negative impact of anger and animosity on society was emphasized, along with the need for emotional intelligence. The meeting also discussed the need for new behaviors that align with the changing world and the importance of questioning our own beliefs. The concept of brand love was explored, and the importance of understanding the target audience in marketing was emphasized. Aaron mentioned his book and blog on consumer psychology and human nature. The meeting concluded with a call to love our neighbors and information on how to contact Aaron. Action items 1. Research and explore the organization Braver Angels and its initiatives for promoting productive conversations between liberals and conservatives. 2. Develop strategies to promote empathy and compassion in both face-to-face and online interactions. 3. Investigate the negative impact of anger and animosity on society and develop ways to counteract it. 4. Enhance emotional intelligence skills within the team and encourage its application in daily interactions. 5. Reflect on personal beliefs and question them in order to adapt to the changing world. 6. Conduct market research to better understand the target audience and their preferences in order to effectively market products. 7. Explore Aaron's book and blog on consumer psychology and human nature for further insights. 8. Encourage team members to love their neighbors and promote acts of kindness and support within the community.

 Biography

While still in high school, Aaron Ahuvia began taking philosophy classes at the University of Michigan and later went on to graduate cum laude from Michigan with a BA in philosophy. Post college he applied his interest in workplace democracy by working at the financial consulting firm Duff and Phelps in Chicago where he assisted with their nation leading practice of helping companies create ESOPS (Employee Stock Ownership Plans) through which the company’s employees came to own the firm. While at Duff and Phelps he enrolled in the MBA program at Northwestern’s Kellogg school of business. At the suggestion of one of his professors, he applied to and was accepted into Kellogg’s PhD program in Marketing. There, her worked with marketing legend Philipp Kotler and helped Kotler revise one of his famous textbooks. He also worked with Professor Mara Adelman on research into the then new phenomenon of singles ads and dating services, publishing five seminal papers in this area and landing him on the Oprah Winfrey show. This research on dating required him to become an expert on the psychology of love. For his dissertation, he took this expertise on love and applied it to investigating peoples’ love of brands and products, as well as other objects and activities.

He was then hired by his alma matter, the University of Michigan, and began his career as an Assistant Professor of Marketing at the Ross School of Business. There, his research expanded to look at how our happiness is impacted by our consumer behavior with a particular focus on income and materialism. He also published widely cited papers on qualitative research methodology. Later he moved to the University of Michigan’s Dearborn campus where he is now the Richard E. Czarnecki Endowed Collegiate Professor of Marketing. He also holds an appointment as a Professor at the University of Michigan Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design.

Professor Ahuvia does research, teaches and consults for governments, nonprofits and corporations in China, Denmark, Oman, Finland, Poland, Morocco, France, Pakistan, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Portugal, Rwanda, Singapore, Slovakia, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Yemen, and was awarded the first US government grant project in Libya after the lifting of sanctions.

Aaron Ahuvia has two grown sons and lives in Ann Arbor with his wife Aura Ahuvia, who is a Rabbi (“The Psychedelic Rabbi”) and an expert on the use of psychedelics to treat post-traumatic stress disorder.