Ads have become considerably more risque in recent years. And not just by furthering the “sex sells” cliche. Shock advertising has become increasingly popular in large part to provoke public interest but also due to the increasing ability of the internet to show ads that are deemed too controversial for typical mediums. When considering why advertisers do this, it is important to understand how they are trying to reach and affect their consumers. . So what are advertisers trying to accomplish by “shocking” their potential consumers?
Gangster Prius
Ads such as this one are attempting to generate interest through the emotions that are generated by this depiction of a murder scene aided by their intended product. It promotes a dangerous side of the car not normally associated with it. The increasing public acceptance of violence allows companies like Toyota to get away with trying to get an emotional response through these types of ads.
Game Over
So what are these ads trying to accomplish besides traumatizing potential consumers? I feel that these are demonstrations of corporations attempting to reach consumers who see over 3000 ads a day and need a wake up call to stop and look at their products. With the increased acceptance of violence, advertisements have taken a drastic turn towards the grotesque in order to capture the attention of a generation raised on instant gratification.
Cheaper Than Retraining Employees
Perhaps the most frequently used type of shockvertising has been in PSA’s for everything from animal cruelty to child safety to drug abuse but the private sector is increasingly using this tactic to their advantage. This begs the question if it actually works? Do offensive ads actually get their purpose across? I suppose it depends if the ads reach their intended audience. I guess the most important aspect of these ads (regardless of being government, non-profit or private) is that it forces people to have an emotional reaction and provoke thought and discussion among a wide audience. Take a look at the posted video and see for yourself.
