1979 Swine Flu PSA Evokes Laughter Instead of Fear
Shelby Lee Walsh — April 30, 2009 — Pop Culture
References: youtube
Swine Flu is on everyone's mind. The epidemic has been sweeping the globe and has everyone taking more pre-cautions than usual. With its growing coverage, it is no surprise that there are people who are looking to make light of such a dark situation.
This Swine Flu PSA ad was originally shot in 1976 and it has recently resurfaced as viral comedy. The overzealous Swine Flu PSA uses scar tactics to force people to get their vaccines before the flu spreads like wildfire.
And no, it doesn’t matter how fast you run, you can’t outrun swine flu. Bobby learned the hard way.
This Swine Flu PSA ad was originally shot in 1976 and it has recently resurfaced as viral comedy. The overzealous Swine Flu PSA uses scar tactics to force people to get their vaccines before the flu spreads like wildfire.
And no, it doesn’t matter how fast you run, you can’t outrun swine flu. Bobby learned the hard way.
Trend Themes
1. Retro Psas - The resurgence of outdated PSAs as viral comedy content presents an opportunity for brands to refresh their ad messaging with a nostalgic touch.
2. Humorous Public Health Campaigns - The humorous response to PSAs about serious health issues can inspire marketers to develop campaigns that are both playful and effective in getting people's attention.
3. Creative Use of Dark Humor - The success of the 1979 Swine Flu PSA as a comedic viral sensation shows the potential for brands to harness the power of dark humor in their advertising.
Industry Implications
1. Public Health - Incorporating humor into public health campaigns could shift people's mindset and encourage them to take their health seriously and not fear vaccines.
2. Marketing and Advertising - Marketers can use humor in advertising by incorporating it into their ad messaging to create a more significant impact on the audience.
3. Entertainment Industry - The viral sensation of retro PSAs as comedic content presents an opportunity for TV networks and streaming services to create programming highlighting this type of content.
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