Shockvertising

Shockvertising is the use of shocking images and/or scenes to advertise something. It is the employment in advertising or public relations of "graphic imagery and blunt slogans to highlight" [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/special_report/1999/02/99/e-cyclopedia/611979.stm BBC news article] ] a public policy issue, goods, or services. Shockvertising is a portmanteau of shocking and advertising.

Examples

Examples include the use of blood and gore, diseased organs and human body parts, [Anti-smoking campaigns feature these images, see:, here [http://blogsofbainbridge.typepad.com/warnings/2007/02/shockvertising_.html Bainbridge Blog] , and here: [http://www.freedom2choose.co.uk/view.php?id=10 Fredome to Choose UK web site] ] and the like. Thus, it can expose any taboo, but typically has an unnecessarily sexually suggestive image. [Dolce & Gabbana ad at: [http://www.cherryflava.com/cherryflava/2006/08/dgs_shockvertis.html Cherry Flava web site] ] Benetton has had several shocking ads of a priest and a nun kissing, a black woman breast-feeding a white baby, and death row inmates' thoughts. [ [http://marketplace21.wordpress.com/2006/09/20/shockvertising-does-it-work/ Market Place Word Press web site] ] [ [http://www.angelofernando.com/Shockvertising.htm Angelo Fernando web site] ] Legal advertising that employs shockvertising would depict or re-enact a car accident, which is now illegal in New York. [See the Legal advertising article, and N.Y. rule 1200 cited therein.]

This practice has been compared to Extreme sports and Lewd behavior, [ [http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/shockvertising-a-poke-in-the-brain] .] , and to the Jerry Springer show. [ [http://www.angelofernando.com/Shockvertising.htm Angelo Fernando web site] ]

In fairness to the advertising agencies who design these ads, it has been noted that they are no more taboo-violating than reality television, and often work to sell the product being publicized. [ [http://marketplace21.wordpress.com/2006/09/20/shockvertising-does-it-work/ Market Place Word Press web site] ] [ [http://www.angelofernando.com/Shockvertising.htm Angelo Fernando web site] ] Furthermore, not-for-profits or NGOs often need to go to the extremes of activism. [ [http://blogger.xs4all.nl/marcg/archive/2006/11/01.aspx MarcG's Blog] ]

Shockvertising is recognized around the world as a term of art, in Polish, [ [http://www.marketing-news.pl/special.php?page=1 : Marketing przy Kawie - Specjały : ] ] in German, [ [http://www.prportal.de/16-03-07-271352.html?SID=bcb82008c4f724ed15c1931929d38948f803b67a PR Portal Genran web site] ] and Dutch. [ [http://geschiedenis.vpro.nl/programmas/2899536/afleveringen/32308190/items/32521223/ /Geschiedenis Andere Tijden: Veertig jaar Ster-reclame - ‘Shockvertising’ en het Droste-effect ] ]

ee also

* Legal advertising
* Propaganda

References