Targeted Advertising

Last semester I took a course in sociology on population and policy. During the course we utilized a site called "My Best Segments" by Claritas (a marketing research/software company) to evaluate consumer behavior in almost every region on the United States. You can take a look yourself. Try entering your own hometown's zip code. It's fascinating the information that the website provides. It begins by assigning appropriate, yet clever, names for various "communities" found within that zipcode. When you think you've found the one that corresponds with the neighborhood you are seeking, select it. I believe mine was "Suburban Pioneers" for zip code 16803. It then gives a brief narrative of the general culture of that area, and then displays various variables. Here was mine.

Furthermore it projects defined statistics and lifestyle traits.

Overall an interesting website. I recommend everybody to check it out if you have any free time. You'd be surprised how well that Claritas has researched the consumer/marketing field. It's almost scary.

Companies are able to target designated audiences using tools like this. And with this information being publicly available, we have to wonder what is in store for us next. Advertising armageddon.