How Advertisements Mixing Black and White Actors Affect Consumer Intent

Although racism against those who do not look like us has been around since before the founding of the United States, it has not diminished as our country becomes more diverse. Using three experimental studies, this research examines how actor race and social tie strength translate into consumer responses to advertising messages. The findings show significant indirect effects of actor race on purchase intention through the three serial mediators of authenticity, attitude toward the advertisement, and word of mouth when social ties are strong.