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The Madison Avenue Field GuideA field guide to marketing & advertising, by Brandon Mina

GlossaryStrategy & FrameworksHierarchy of Effects

Strategy & Frameworks

Hierarchy of Effects

Robert Lavidge and Gary Steiner's 1961 model that advertising moves people through awareness, knowledge, liking, preference, conviction and purchase.

By Brandon MinaCEO, BrandPilot AIUpdated November 2026

Short answer

The Hierarchy of Effects is Robert Lavidge and Gary Steiner's 1961 model proposing that advertising moves people through sequential stages: awareness, knowledge, liking, preference, conviction and purchase. It helps marketers set communication objectives for each stage, though later research shows buyers do not always follow the steps in a strict order.