About pine-civet
Where psychological research meets practical influence strategy
We exist at the intersection of academic psychology and real-world marketing. While many agencies rely on intuition or outdated practices, we ground every recommendation in peer-reviewed research and empirical evidence.
Our approach emerged from a simple observation: the gap between what psychological science knows about influence and how brands actually operate is enormous. Research journals are filled with insights about trust, authority, persuasion, and decision-making—yet most marketing strategies ignore this wealth of knowledge.
We decided to bridge that gap.
Our Foundation in Research
Every strategy we develop begins with a literature review. What does the current research say about this type of influence? Which psychological mechanisms are at play? What evidence exists for different approaches?
This isn't academic posturing. Research-based strategies simply work better because they're built on understanding how human minds actually function, not how we wish they functioned.
What We Believe
Influence is not manipulation. Understanding the psychology of persuasion allows for more honest, effective communication. When you know why people trust certain sources, you can build genuine trust rather than manufacturing false signals.
We also believe that the most sustainable competitive advantage comes from actual expertise and authentic value, not from exploiting psychological vulnerabilities. Our work helps clients build real authority, not just the appearance of it.
How We Work
We don't offer cookie-cutter solutions. Each client engagement begins with understanding your specific context: your market, your audience, your competitive landscape, and your authentic strengths.
From there, we identify which psychological principles are most relevant and how to apply them ethically. Some clients need help selecting influencer partners who genuinely align with their brand. Others need to build their own authority from scratch. Still others need to understand why their current strategies aren't converting despite significant reach.
Whatever the challenge, our process remains the same: research, analysis, strategy, implementation guidance.
Our Commitment to Ethics
Understanding influence psychology creates responsibility. These principles can be used to help people make better decisions or to manipulate them into poor ones.
We choose to work only with clients whose products and services provide genuine value. We won't help you trick people into buying something that doesn't serve them, no matter how effective the psychology might be.
This ethical stance isn't just moral—it's practical. Strategies built on deception eventually collapse when customers realize they've been misled. Trust-based influence, on the other hand, compounds over time.
Explore our servicesWhy "pine-civet"?
The name reflects our philosophy. Just as these elements combine in unexpected ways, we bring together disparate fields—academic psychology, behavioral economics, neuroscience, marketing strategy—to create something new and useful.
We're not a traditional agency and we're not an academic research lab. We're something in between: practical researchers who help brands apply scientific insights to real business challenges.
Let's Work Together
If you're interested in building influence strategies grounded in psychological research rather than guesswork, we should talk.
Get in Touch