# How to Use Neuromarketing & Business Psychology to Win | Awn Nuwwar | TEDxDabouq

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vE3bSAE4nw
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/0vE3bSAE4nw
Generated: 2025-11-11T15:40:10.815+00:00

---
## Quick Overview

The speaker argues that successful branding, especially for Arab companies aiming for global success, requires moving beyond superficial elements like logos and colors to focus on deep, actionable, and emotionally resonant content strategies that appeal to the subconscious mind, citing examples like Nestlé and how they successfully integrated their brand philosophy into their products like KitKat to achieve global market dominance.

**Key Points:**
- 95% of daily decisions are driven by the subconscious mind, making emotional connection crucial for marketing success.
- Successful branding requires a deep, fundamental shift in strategy, not just surface-level elements like logos or color psychology.
- The speaker cites the Japanese concept of 'Look and Joy' (or 'Lock and Joy') as an example of a successful, actionable, and emotionally resonant brand philosophy.
- The Japanese KitKat brand serves as a case study; its success in Japan, where it is the largest coffee importer, stems from its deep cultural connection and brand philosophy, not just advertising.
- Arab companies seeking global success must adopt this deep, strategic approach to branding to avoid failure, exemplified by the speaker's own past struggles when focusing only on superficial elements.
- The speaker suggests that effective marketing must target both the conscious (rational) and the subconscious (emotional) mind for maximum impact.

![Screenshot at 00:04: The TEDxDabouq 'Beyond Boundaries' event branding appears on screen, setting the stage for the presentation on business strategy and branding.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0vE3bSAE4nw/00-00-04.png)

**Context:** The speaker, Awn Nuwwar, delivers a TEDx talk focusing on the critical difference between superficial branding (logos, colors) and deep, psychological branding rooted in content and emotional connection. He uses examples from global companies like Nestlé (KitKat) and Nike, contrasting their deep-rooted branding success with the failure of surface-level approaches, particularly in the context of Arab companies seeking international expansion.

## Detailed Analysis

The speaker begins by referencing the high cost of large-scale projects like those in New York, contrasting this with the relatively small investment in understanding human psychology for branding. He emphasizes that 95% of decisions are made by the subconscious mind, rendering superficial marketing tactics ineffective. He recounts his personal experience searching for a job in Australia in 2018, where he realized the importance of deep branding when he failed to secure a role at a major construction company despite his academic qualifications. The core argument revolves around the concept that branding is not just about the logo, colors, or advertising spend; it is about creating an emotional connection. He introduces the Japanese concept of 'Look and Joy' (or 'Lock and Joy') as a successful example of actionable, deep-seated brand philosophy. He specifically highlights the Japanese KitKat brand, noting that it is the largest coffee importer in Japan because its branding strategy is deeply embedded in the culture and appeals directly to emotion, unlike campaigns focused solely on rational appeal or short-term tactics. He concludes that for Arab companies to achieve global success and sustainability, they must adopt this deep, fundamental approach to branding, focusing on creating a profound emotional connection rather than relying on superficial tactics or measurable metrics alone, otherwise, their brands risk failure.

### The Problem with Surface-Level Branding

- Discusses how 95% of decisions are subconscious
- Cites the high cost of large projects versus the low cost of psychological insight
- Mentions the failure of superficial branding efforts.

### Case Study

- KitKat in Japan: Introduces the Japanese concept of 'Look and Joy' as a successful deep strategy
- Notes KitKat is Japan's largest coffee importer due to its cultural connection
- Contrasts this with brands that only focus on sales or advertising.

### The Solution

- Deep, Emotional Branding: Stresses the need for content and strategy that targets the subconscious mind
- Highlights the importance of 'Design Thinking' and creating a 'deep connection'
- Warns that marketing without this depth leads to failure and lack of sustainability.

![Screenshot at 00:05: The TEDx Dabouq event sponsors are displayed on screen, setting the context of a professional conference presentation.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0vE3bSAE4nw/00-00-05.png)
![Screenshot at 00:10: The speaker steps onto the red circular stage area, beginning his address with the TEDx backdrop visible.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0vE3bSAE4nw/00-00-10.png)
![Screenshot at 00:20: Speaker gesturing while discussing the high cost associated with large-scale construction projects, contrasting it with branding costs.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0vE3bSAE4nw/00-00-20.png)
![Screenshot at 00:51: The speaker begins to transition the topic, asking the audience to consider what they would do differently in their process.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0vE3bSAE4nw/00-00-51.png)
![Screenshot at 01:35: Speaker emphasizes the need to understand processes like the subconscious mind to make correct decisions.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0vE3bSAE4nw/00-01-35.png)
![Screenshot at 03:39: Speaker discusses large companies spending millions on advertising, contrasting it with the need for deeper connection.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0vE3bSAE4nw/00-03-39.png)
![Screenshot at 05:05: Speaker mentions the possibility of starting on Monday, indicating a call to action or a shift in focus.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0vE3bSAE4nw/00-05-05.png)
![Screenshot at 07:08: Speaker poses a critical question to the audience about what they would do differently in their job search process.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0vE3bSAE4nw/00-07-08.png)
![Screenshot at 09:51: Speaker introduces the concept of FOMO \(Fear of Missing Out\) as a driver of consumer behavior.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0vE3bSAE4nw/00-09-51.png)
![Screenshot at 11:36: Speaker uses a chess analogy, explaining that the game ends when the king is captured, symbolizing a decisive business outcome.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/0vE3bSAE4nw/00-11-36.png)
