I think this way of advertising is a lot more effective than 'scare advertising' that has been used for some other serious issues, such as trying to get people to quit smoking by showing disturbing images or raising awareness of speeding with emotional videos of people dying. Sure, that way you get the message across but it makes you feel stressed and emotional whereas the cancer campaign brings up a serious issue with a humorous feel.
What is the best way to deal with serious and sensitive issues?
Rhian is smoking and this is a very very clever way to capture a fella's attention! Good use of shock value too although I wonder if it would also generate complaints from the more conservative? There's no doubt that it is exploitive of women and yet then it has this very important health message that men need to see, hear and take seriously. Great post and blogging over the semester Roni
ReplyDeleteAs you mentioned you could compare this to using laughter to captivate people attention to serious issues as well --- you need to not be so sensitive to the issues to get your message across...
ReplyDeleteAgreed with Hubba, totally exploits women but really isnt that a natural progression.... that marketing has to keep up with popular culture (movies, video clips) that are just as sexualised?
This is a very interesting and probably considered controversial way of getting attention. I would no doubt say that there would be complaints about something like this. People complain about the most innocent of ads, so no doubt they would here too. But again, as with everyone so far, it does grab your attention!
ReplyDeleteRoss
Sheesh! Wasn't expecting the ad to have that sort of 'big idea'... I was actually a bit shocked after watching it. Not so traumatized that I might complain, but hey, it only takes one complaint to be lodged for an investigation. Having said that, I was a bit grossed out once she pulled "the junk out of the trunk" that the message kinda went over my head... not like I was the intended audience anyway. Got my partner to have a look and he thought it was a good way to get a man's attention (no surprises there) but I wonder, what are the other ways to increase awareness and education about the topic? Perhaps the topic is becoming more common (maybe since Tom Green battled it), it doesn't seem as 'taboo' nowadays...
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