Hoodwinked: How Marketers Use the Same Tactics as Cults

From viral leggings to must-have apps, Dr. Mara Einstein exposes the hidden parallels between cult manipulation and modern marketing strategies in this eye-opening investigation. Drawing from her unique background as both a former MTV marketing executive and a respected media studies professor, she reveals how companies weaponize psychology to transform casual customers into devoted followers. This groundbreaking book uncovers how social media platforms use anxiety-inducing algorithms to keep you trapped in a purchase-panic cycle; the secret playbook marketers use to create "brand religions" around everyday products; why even the most rational consumers fall prey to scarcity marketing and manufactured FOMO; and practical strategies to break free from manipulative digital marketing tactics. With compelling real-world examples and insights from industry insiders, Hoodwinked equips you with the knowledge to recognize and resist these sophisticated manipulation techniques. Dr. Einstein's expertise has been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Harvard Business Review, making her the perfect guide through the maze of modern marketing manipulation.