Commercials and print campaigns often feature a variety of hidden messages and underlying themes, but these blunt marketing techniques are relying more on bold and straight-forward tactics to get their message across to viewers.
Modern day advertising techniques often include the use of complex imagery, imaginative concepts and a wide variety of actors and objects. The downside to these techniques from the viewer's standpoint is that it often leaves them guessing or questioning what the commercial or ad was even about. These blunt marketing examples however, have decided to clearly state what they are trying to promote, and subsequently catching people's attention with its use of straight-forward tactics.
From cautionary driving ads to smelly shoe ads comparing footwear to piles of fish, these blunt marketing techniques will surely have audiences recognizing exactly what the ad is about.
18 Blunt Marketing Techniques
18
Bluntly Branded Boxes
Hnina Packaging Boldly States What the Consumer Wants to See
17
Distorted Face Ads
The Vizoo Magazine Bullying Campaign Sends an Important Message
16
Agitating Aging Solution Ads
The 'Respibien: Breasts, Paunch' Prints Remind Elders of Good Days
15
Consumption-Encouraging Packaging
TASTEit Uses Blunt Branding for Promotion
14
Blunt Bacon Branding
Rachel Brown Updates the Danepak Packaging Design
13
Bluntly Branded Coffee
F*cking Strong Coffee Boasts Exactly What it is
12
Audacious Poster Advertisements
These Retro Style WPA Ads by Dan Cassaro are Noteworthy
11
Blunt Cautionary Driving Ads
The 'Parents of Road Victims' Campaign Reads "Don't Text and Die"
10
Smelly Shoe Ads
The Baruel Tenys Pe Campaign Fights Foot Odors
9
Poignantly Provactive Prints
This Edward Levine Graphic Design Catches the Eye
8
Social Media Criticizing Campaigns
These Crisis Photos Features the Effects of Social Media
7
Smelly Tongue Piercing Ads
The Close Up Liquifresh Campaign is Rebelliously Playful
6
Blunt Gender Equality Ads
The Life Foundation Campaign Adresses Asia's Preference for Sons
5
Blunt Sustainable Packaging
Heckler Designs Presents a Straightforward Design
4
Blunt Automobile Fluid Branding
Dependable Engine Oil Packaging is Strictly Straight to the Point
3
Blunt Recruitment Ads
'Welcome to Our Reality' Pokes Fun at American Military Ads
2
Butterfly Effect Death Ads
The Organ Donor Foundation Campaign Urges People to Donate Organs
1
Busted Burglar Ads
The Protege Group Campaign Portrays Immediately Apprehended Criminals
Related Ideas
Storytelling-Forward Footwear Campaigns
Vans Unveils the Old Meets Knu Campaign
Fabulous Fashion Ad Campaigns
The Balmain Spring 2024 Ad Campaign Features Gisele Bündchen
Playful Pet Accident Campaigns
IKEA Unveils the Don't Worry, You Can Afford It Campaign
Aggressive Athlete Ads
Nike Launches the Winning Isn’t for Everyone Campaign
AI-Generated Ketchup Ads
Heinz Designed an Advertisement Using the Slogan 'It has to be Heinz'
Sneaker-Stealing Campaigns
Rob It To Get It by Distance Challenged Customers to Outrun a Sprinter
Brand-Honoring Staple Bold Footwear
Dr. Martens' 14XX Blends New and Retro Brand Themes
Anti-Consumption Natural Ads
The 'Girls Just Wanna Grow Plants' Ad Aims to Reducing Consumption
AI-Lead Car Ads
Ford Launched an AI Campaign Dubbed 'Be Surreal, Be Ford'
Clear In-Game Billboard Advertisements
SCS Software's Truck Simulator Uses Real-Life Advertising
Naturalistic Taco Stand Campaigns
Coca-Cola Launched a Street Photography Campaign in Norway
90s-Inspired Bulky Skateboard Sneakers
adidas Presents a Look at the Retro Stan Smith XLG Shoe
Ingenious De-Influencing Ads
Cuyana's De-Influencing April Fool's Campaign Highlights Greenwashing
Stealthy Collaborative Bowling Shoes
adidas Originals Works with Brain Dead on a New Footwear
Nostalgic Beer Brand Phones
The Boring Phone by Heineken Helps Adults Focus on What Really Matters
Purposeful Consumer-Focused Campaigns
IKEA's Sleepfluencers Campaign is a Clever Way to Give Back
Film-Inspired Condiment Ads
GUT New York Forms the Heinz Smiles Campaign to Celebrate Joker 2
Ketchup Dispenser Billboards
'Smack for Heinz' Helps Fans Complete Meals with a Favorite Condiment
Athlete-Backed Shoe Campaigns
Nike Released Awaken Your Madness with International Soccer Players
Sophisticated Monotonal Footwear
adidas Spotlights the Formal Stan Smith Freizeit Shoe
Plastic Toothpaste Tube Campaigns
'The Killer Smile Campaign' Addresses the Impact on Wildlife
Distorted Burger Campaigns
Burger King's A.I.LLOWEEN Features Unsettling People Eating Burgers
Empowering Body-Confidence Sports Ads
Dove's 2024 Super Bowl Ad Will Inspire Young Girls
Non-AI Beauty Campaigns
The Code by Dove Fights Beauty Standards Manufactured by AI
Introspective Poetic Fragrances
Ode to Dullness by Juliette Has a Gun Finds Beauty in the Ordinary
Engaging Shelf Displays
Netvisual is Elevating In-Store Advertising with its Shelf Edge Displays
Hug-Activated Marketing Machines
UNIQLO France and The Pull Launch the Hug to Unlock Ad
Employee Fragrance Campaigns
Lidl's Fragrance Campaign Features Local Talent with Celebrity Names
Athletic Apparel Interactive Billboards
Gymshark Unveils the Shoplift Campaign Ahead of Sale
QSR Menu Billboard Campaigns
Burger King Shows Real Burger Sizes with Real Size Campaigns
Star-Studded Tech Campaigns
Jewellery Pros and Music Talent Promote the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
Candid Furniture Campaigns
Life is Not an IKEA Catalog Shows a Different Side of Home Products
Curious Whiskey Campaigns
Four Roses' Don't Mention It Campaign Targets Younger Whiskey Drinkers
Interactive In-Store Ads
Visibubble Brings Mobile Messaging Capabilities to Store Shelves
Convention-Challenging AC Campaigns
Samsung's WindFree Ad Stars a Savvy Grandma-Fluencer
Heated QSR Anniversary Campaigns
Burger King Brazil Celebrates Milestone with a New Campaign
Eerie Film-Based Deodorant Campaigns
Secret Deodorant Debuts a Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Commercial
Therapeutic Nature-Inspired Campaigns
Craghoppers Introduces Its Autumn/winter 2024 Campaign
Gen Alpha Marketing Campaigns
Claire's is Targeting TikTok Growth for its Latest Ads Spending
Anti-Greenwashing Soap Ads
Navigating Eco-Consumer Irony with Better Climate Store's "Greenwash"
Unretouched Photography Books
Dove Reimagine Beauty Celebrates Authentic Representation
Activewear-Branded Smartphones
The Conceptual Adidas FOG Phone Highlights the Three Stripes Logo
Packaging-Inspired Footwear Designs
adidas Introduces the Unique Box Shoe Through its App
Craveable Soda Packaging
Sprite is Reviving Its Obey Your Thirst Campaign for a New Generation
Architecture-Inspired QSR Ads
This New McDonald’s Campaign Encourages Eating at Home
Marketer-Targeted Cereal Ads
Surreal's Out-of-Home Campaign Speaks to Marketers, Not Consumers
Futuristic Shapewear Ads
Skims' First-Ever TV Ad, Skims Lab, Stars Kim Kardashian in Every Role
Dynamic Collaborative Sneakers
adidas Presents the CLOT Superstar Sneaker with Bold Accents
Scented Fast Food Billboards
McDonald's Set Up a French Fry-Scented Billboard
Cheeky Wireless Service Ads
Visible's New Campaign with Jason Alexander Highlights Transparency
Modern Updated Football Boots
adida Presents the Modernized Tonal Predator 24 Shoe
Celebrity-Fronted Gardening Campaigns
Miracle-gro Introduces the Gro Like Martha Campaign
Neighborhood-Inspired Campaigns
Kotn's F/W 2024 Collection is Released with a Witty Short-Film
AI-Powered QSR Campaigns
allplants Leverages AI To Transforms Fast-Food Ads
Shoppable CPG Ads
Instacart-Powered Shoppable Video Ads are Coming to YouTube
Hands-Free Driving Campaigns
Ford UK's Social Campaign Shares Merch for the "Passenger Princess"
Heritage Brand Boot Ads
Blundstone Launches Global Campaign Celebrating Personal Boot Stories
Attraction-Building Fragrance Ads
Fit Check by AXE Speaks to Gen Z Men and Women Alike
Hyper-Targeted Shoppable Posters
Glossier and Shop Launched Posters with Geo-Gated Location Tech
Anthropomorphic Store Campaigns
IKEA's Short Social Films Promote Its Click-and-Collect Service
Limited Edition Diaper Prints
The Honest Company Blends Style and Practicality
AI-Powered Advertising Tools
Amazon Ads Now Offers a Beta for its New AI Tools for Advertisers
Comfort-Focused Footwear Ads
The ALDO Spring 2024 Campaign Highlights Its Pillow Walk Technology
Erectile Dysfunction Medication Ads
Phoenix Wants to Help Canadian Men ‘Rise Again’
Global Tasmanian Footwear Campaigns
Blundstone Debuts its ‘Well Worn’ Campaign
Eco-Minded Millennial Ads
Coors Seltzer's 'Call to Inaction' Campaign Aims to Save Water
Connected Beer Jerseys
Miller Lite's Running of the Beer Ads Turns Fans into Walking Billboards
Imaginative Condiment Campaigns
Heinz's 'You Can Already Taste It' Features a "No Taste Test"
Exquisite High Jewelry Campaigns
Boucheron's New Campaign Film Was Directed by Claire Choisne
Square-Toe Perforated Footwear
Crocs and atmos Tokyo Create the Crocs Blunt Toe Clog
Brand-Led Global Studies
The LEGO Group Conducted a Study That May Inform Market Decisions
Adorable Holiday Campaigns
Burberry's Holiday Campaign Spotlights Dogs and Ducklings
Cheerful Healthy Snack Campaigns
Garden Veggie Snacks' YUMbelievably Delicious is Innovative
Modern Tissue Brand Makeovers
Turner Duckworth Redesigns the Kleenex Branding Aesthetic
Humorous Natural Deodorant Campaigns
The Every Man Jack 'Still Smell Good' Campaign is Catchy
Boneless Wing Ads
Whataburger Cleverly Launches Its Boneless Wings with This Ad
Marketing Idea Generators
Thunderbucket Provides Marketing Ideas and Observations at Speed
Wasteful Shopping Billboards
Not On The High Street's Billboards Highlight a "Don't Gift Guide"
Slim-Structural Leather Sneakers
adidas Shines a Spotlight at the Country OG Sneaker
Villainous Board Game Campaigns
The Monopoly All is Fair Campaign Leans into Competition
Honest Female Athlete Campaigns
'Get Explicit' by Hillberg & Berk Empowers Women in Sports
Relatable Genderless Fragrances
NOYZ Makes Fragrances Inspired by Real Stories & Raw Feelings
Ageism-Targeting Language Campaigns
Modern Age Has Launched the Aging Index
Human Connection-Centric Campaigns
Etsy's New Ad Campaign Wants to Keep Commerce Human
All-Dark Marketing Campaigns
IKEA Introduces its Darkest Campaign Yet with Try Oslo's Help
Co-Branded Custom Ads
Lexus and Universal Pictures Partner for the 'Experience OZmazing' Spot
Tongue-In-Cheek Soda Campaigns
Pepsi Jokes at Coca-Cola in It's Tastes Better Campaign
Hidden Discrimination Books
'Throwaway Comments' Fights Microaggressions in the Workplace
Shoppable Luxury Fashion Films
Tom Ford Allows Consumers to Seamlessly Shop Its Spring 2024 RTW
Peeling Cheese Packaging Billboards
This Babybel Billboard is Inspired by the Product's Packaging
E-Commerce Advertising Solutions
Reddit is Enhancing its Reach with the New Dynamic Product Ads
QSR X-Ray Campaigns
KFC Spain Presents a Chicken X-Ray Campaign to Combat a Stigma
Candid Celebration Campaigns
Edible's "There's an edible for That" Celebrates Even Awkward Moments
Travel-inspired Brand Campaigns
Michelin Launches the On the Road and Beyond! Campaign
Artistic Multi-Beverage Ads
The Coca-Cola Family is Spotlighted in this Unique Ad
Interactive Toothpaste Packaging
Bluemarlin Created the Designs for the Colgate Toothpaste Packs
Inspiring Daily Bodycare
method's Unleash Your Inner Shower Celebrates Personal Transformations
Artful Illusory Ads
giffgaff's Large-Scale Illusion Artwork Challenges Inattentional Blindness
Anniversary-Celebrating Storytelling Ads
The Walt Disney Company Mark Marvel's 85th Anniversary
AI-Crafted Banking Ads
The U.S. Bank Debuts 'The Power of Us' Campaign
Omnichannel Automotive Services
Automotive Mastermind has Adapted to Modern Consumer Patterns
Emissions-Minded Food Campaigns
This Meatless Farm Campaign Boasts Reduced Emissions
Expressive Beer Packagings
'Buqui Bichi Brewery' Debuted a New Set of Packagings for its 5 Flavors
Beauty Corporate Diversity Ads
E.l.f. Beauty's So Many Dicks Ad Urges for More Corporate Diversity
Quirky Plant-Based Food Ads
Gosh! Food's Falafel Advertisement is Surprising
Recycled Ad Campaigns
Mars is Reusing Fan-Favorite Ads to Bring Attention to Climate Change
Empowering Car Ads
CarMax's New Ad Campaign Takes a Witty Approach
Champion Tax Ads
H&R Block's Ads Claim All Users are Tax Champions
Bizarre Soda Campaigns
Dr Pepper's Try More Weird Disrupts Life's Boredoms with Weirdness
Reality-Bending Car Ads
CarGurus Ad Features Melting Lego and Gourmet Chef Toddlers
Playful QSR Campaigns
Cossette Forms the New McDonald's Campaign to Closest Restaurant
Global Storytelling Initatives
Vans Announces its Narrative-Centric Always Pushing Campaign
Inclusive Voting Campaigns
The Body Shop Worked with Apathy is Boring to Improve Voter Turnout
Hard-To-Read Health Campaigns
A Specsavers Campaign Encourages Movie-Goers to Check their Sight
AI Email Marketing Campaigns
Emotsy Creates Personalized Campaigns for Stronger Digital Connection
Advanced Printing Techniques
BrandMyDispo Has Introduced Printing Techniques for Custom Mylar Bags
Hyper-Local Gym Ads
GymBox's Made for London Life Ads Juxtapose City Living and Gym-Going
Diversity-Promoting Beauty Campaigns
e.l.f. Cosmetics Releases a Thought-Provoking Message
Mini Musical Productivity Ads
Slack's The Big Meeting Takes on a Musical Number
Alternative Butter Ads
Lurpak's Crush Expectations Redefines Plant-Based as Edgy, Not Earthy
Empowering Mental Health Football Ads
adidas Debuts Short Film 'You Got This'
Skateboarding-Inspired Ads
Vans Launched the ‘Always Pushing’ Ad Highlighting Skating Culture
Celebrity-Backed Fragrance Ads
Axe Targets Generation Z with its New Star-Studded Campaign
Rewritten Christmas Song Ads
Burger King UK's Hijacking Christmas Will Guide You to the Drive Thru
Playful Language App Campaigns
Duolingo is Not Taking Any Excuses to Miss Learning Lessons
Short Film-Inspired Ads
Apple’s New ‘The Underdogs’ Ad Features Various Apple Products
Stylistic Footwear Campaigns
Bata Launched its 'Make Your Way' Campaign with a Focus on Comfort
Vibrant Runner-Targeted Commercials
PUMA Southeast Asia Debuts a Community-Based Video Campaign
Mango-Scented Newspaper Ads
Swiggy Instamart Launched a Scented Campaign in the Times of India
Marketing Social Advocacy Tools
Nut Tree Helps Smaller Brands Boost Their Presence
Efficiency-Driven Digital Ad Solutions
ShopLiftr is Revolutionizing Digital Advertising
Comedic Groundhog Day Campaigns
Lay's Flavor for Days Campaign Taps into Groundhog Day
Rapper-Endorsed Flame Stove Campaigns
Snoop Dogg Presents Solo Stove's Blunt Marketing Campaign
Debunking AI Apps
BSBot Helps Publicis Clients Tell the Truth About AI from Fiction at Cannes
Classic Ad Campaign Revivals
Seagram's 7 Crown is Reviving Old Ads for Its New Campaign
Subtle Marketing Pop-Ups
FOMO Nudge Encourages Users to Buy with Subtle Pop-Ups
Ethical GenAI Tools
Brandtech Group's Bias Breaker Produces More Diverse and Inclusive Images
Grocery Store Ad Spots
Morrisons, the UK Supermarket Chain, Celebrates Its Low Pricing in This Ad
Cruelty-Free Deodorants
Axe has Joined PETA's Beauty Without Bunnies List
Phone-Based User-Targeted Campaigns
PlugSMS Helps Users Launch Campaigns From Their Phones