Emoticons may be used to give a written message a bit more context, but in the Stop Accidents campaign they simply look disturbingly out of place. First of all, they have been applied to the real world. Secondly, they cover the faces of seriously injured or dead individuals. Individuals who are now paying the ultimate consequence for texting while driving.
The Stop Accidents campaign was conceived and executed by Grey, an ad agency based in London, United Kingdom. It shows that no variations of the smiley face can make these situations any better. Art directed by Bernat Motjer with creative direction by Alejandro Arriagada and Aleix Bou, the images were shot by photography collective Getty Images.
Disturbing Emoticon Driving Ads
The Stop Accidents Campaign Urges People to 'Don't Text and Drive'
Trend Themes
1. Real-world Emoticon Usage - Exploring the use of emoticons in real-life contexts can create disruptive innovation opportunities in advertising and communication.
2. Elevating Emoticons Beyond Digital Mediums - Expanding the use of emoticons outside of digital environments opens up possibilities for innovative and attention-grabbing campaigns.
3. Emoticons as Contrasting Elements - Using emoticons in unexpected or contrasting ways can capture attention and provoke a strong emotional response in audiences.
Industry Implications
1. Advertising and Marketing - Adopting emoticons in advertising campaigns, particularly in unconventional ways, could disrupt traditional marketing strategies and captivate consumer attention.
2. Communication and Messaging - Integrating emoticons more prominently into real-life conversations and interactions may lead to innovative communication tools and platforms.
3. Road Safety - Exploring the juxtaposition of emoticons and serious road safety issues can create disruptive interventions in public awareness campaigns and educational initiatives.