Preying upon uncouth socialistic indiscretions
Implications - Preying upon the social and faux-pas fears of millions, ad agencies continue to create a sense of paranoia among people with regard to committing social disgraces. Most people will do anything to avoid perpetrating a potentially awkward public display of embarrassment, therefore flocking to products offered up as solutions.
Trend Themes
1. Shock Advertising - Controversial and provocative imagery is an effective way for companies to gather widespread attention from audiences as well as media critics.
2. Body Image Marketing - Images that are traditionally viewed as being taboo are intriguing to audiences and will therefore garner attention.
3. Humor-based Advertising - Taking a humorous approach to advertising can make even an uninteresting or avoided product seem like a life or death experience.
Industry Implications
1. Beauty and Fragrance - Pushing boundaries in terms of shocking and bold advertising can generate wider spread attention among diversified audiences, as in the case of the leather-scented cologne.
2. Fitness and Gym - Mocking weight and stretching clothes in advertising can be a humorous way to motivate people to enroll in gyms and alleviate pressure from their overworked buttons.
3. Animal Rights - Provocative animal rights advertisements can shock people and bring awareness towards certain issues, as in the case of PETA's 'Save the Whales' campaign.
