The Miami Ad School hopes to reduce the use of extremely popular pop icons in advertising with the 'Let Them Rest in Peace' campaign. Working in conjunction with Ogilvy Brasil, Miami Ad School called out ad agencies for overusing figures such as Che Guevara, Marilyn Monroe and Albert Einstein.
Tired of seeing the same references over and over, the ad school challenged advertisers to get more creative. The ad copy of "let him rest in peace" or "let her rest in piece" expresses the school's frustration over the exhaustive use of the dead icons.
In creating a striking campaign disparaging advertising practices, the Miami Ad School is effectively branding itself as an innovative space for advertising education.
Overused Icon Campaigns
The 'Let Them Rest in Peace' Campaign Dismisses Ads with Popular Pop Icons
Trend Themes
1. Less Iconic Representation - Campaigns directed with non-iconic representation, allowing for less sleep-inducing campaigns.
2. Original Advertising - Original content decisions made with narrative baselines.
3. Muddled Universality - A culture of mixed identities and multilayered symbols for advertising, revealing a nuanced composition.
Industry Implications
1. Advertising - A shift towards original content could lead the advertising industry to more creative product showcases.
2. Education - As a result of the action taken by the Miami Ad School, other educational institutions could focus on creative ad campaigns.
3. Graphic Design - Encouraging varied representations will require more graphic designers with unique perspectives.