On many occasions, and while in the process of hunting for trends, we come across images of banned and rejected adverts that were not supposed to see the light of day because they were considered too racy, violent or just too offensive.
However, as pointed out recently by one of Trend Hunter’s best and most prolific writers, Going Like Sixty, the fact that these "rejected" images freely populate the internet and that we continue writing about them as often as we can, makes me want to reconsider just how "banned" banned is.
Having said that, a couple of words about the prints in the gallery above are in order. Unfortunately, there’s no individual info about the print ads other than the name of the business/cause they were intended to promote.
The first two images which mimic Jesus Christ and the Last Supper probably offended the religious establishment. Next, there is a group of Galaxy FM Inquisitors going all medieval on two women who have different taste in music. Then we have the S&M duck followed by the very poignant and most disturbing (for me) image of them which depicts a new-born baby sucking poison out of a milk bottle. Finally, we have the usual fashion campaign ads that go way over the top and get nixed for being too raunchy.
Ironic Banvertisement
10 Ads That Were Banned But Are Free to Roam the Internet
Trend Themes
1. Banned Ads - Banned ads that have gained popularity online and through media coverage are disrupting traditional advertising channels.
2. Shockvertising - Provocative and controversial advertising, or shockvertising, is becoming a popular strategy for brands looking to break through the clutter of mass media.
3. Censorship Backlash - There is a growing resistance to censorship in advertising with consumers seeking out and sharing banned content more readily than ever.
Industry Implications
1. Advertising - The advertising industry is being forced to adapt to changing attitudes towards censorship and find new ways to create content that captures attention.
2. Media - The media industry is struggling to balance censorship responsibilities with consumer demand for controversial and provocative content.
3. Fashion - Fashion campaigns are pushing boundaries and creating more daring ads that are more likely to be banned, but also more likely to gain viral attention.