In order to voice some opposing views on Shell's plans to drill in the North, some clever minds created the 'Arctic Ready' Shell website, which looked deceptively similar to the oil company's actual web address.
Created solely to embarrass and oust Shell for its oil drilling and environmental impact, the site features many photos with the 'Let's Go' tag line. The site goes into great deal of the negative effects of Shell's drilling practices and is an effective and attention-grabbing way to spread awareness. Quickly going viral upon its release, the site got massive amounts of views and began a critical discussion around the topic of corporate responsibility.
Provocative and exceedingly well-designed, this spoof site is a creative and web-savvy form of resistance.
Critical Parody Sites
The 'Arctic Ready' Shell Website is a Scathing Spoof
Trend Themes
1. Parody Marketing - Creating parody websites to raise awareness of negative corporate impacts is a disruptive trend that can lead to increased social awareness.
2. Alternative Activism - Innovative and creative forms of activism, such as this website, are a growing trend that offer alternative ways to communicate issues and inspire positive action.
3. Online Awareness Campaigns - The use of websites as a platform for raising awareness is a disruptive trend that can help start or continue public discourse around social issues.
Industry Implications
1. Marketing and Advertising - Parody marketing can disrupt a company's message and challenge corporate interests, providing opportunities for agencies to engage in alternative forms to get clients' messages out.
2. Environmental Advocacy - With creative activism gaining traction and being shared throughout the digital landscape, industries focusing on environmental advocacy can tap into this form of innovative communication to raise public awareness on sustainable issues.
3. Technology - As online campaigns grow popular, innovations in technology can provide platforms and tools to enable more effective communication between communities, activists, and organizations.