Mara Einstein, "Hoodwinked: How Cult Marketing Tactics Left Us Anxious, Broke, and Conned" (Prometheus Books, 2025)

New Books in Economic and Business History · Jul 5, 2025 · 1h 5m

Mara Einstein sees the future of marketing as increasingly intertwined with manipulative tactics that mirror those used by cults, especially as advertising becomes more deeply embedded in digital and social spaces. She notes that the online environment has grown more deceptive, with advertising often disguised as content—such as branded journalism or influencer endorsements—making it harder for consumers to recognize when they are being marketed to. Einstein highlights that the migration of these techniques to digital platforms amplifies their impact, as algorithms and artificial intelligence…