Explicit (?) ADs for the malicious people

Here's a couple of funny ADs meant to capture the attention of the viewer and making him ask "did I saw it for real?" - they're probably more on the bad taste side of the marketing spectrum, but that's probably how they were supposed to be positioned to gain some attention

The lollipop breast - definitely not a real AD, but a funny reinvention of the Chupa Chups brand!

"For adults"

 A rare example of controversial advertising from Italy - what's the brand about? Milk, of course (the not-so-famous Zappalà, obviously looking for some buzz)

That's were men underwear come from

Here's one very sexy (and long) commercial showing a dream factory, where men's underwear are created by happy women in lingerie



It's certainly an usual (but extremely eye-catching) way of positioning the brand as a well-manufactured, comfortable product: why showing a man comfortable with his underwear if you can ensure that all the work before was just for that purpouse?

The over-the-top sexism is lowered (...a bit) with the plot twist at the end, but it's still easy to see how this can be seen as controversial...and therefore, talked about MUCH

Some kinky ads for appareal brands

Sometimes, you just don't have a particulary good idea for your ad campaign, but you perfectly know that a bit of sex here and there can't hurt...and it will catch the attention of the viewer.

These ads are not really inventive but they have that minimum of controversy in them that will at least guarantee a bit of spotlight here on sex-marketing

Awesome Rags - another Kamasutra spoof

American Appareal - a bit more explicit, and at least the product is perfectly visible

AXE Strip Toilette

"El dia del novio" is the equivalent of the European and American "St. Valentines Day", where couples celebrates...being a couple, usually by going our for dinner to start up the night.

But this hilarious campaign thinks differently: it thinks that "el dia del novio" is the one day in which you realize you want to be with ALL women: so what can AXE do for you?

THIS.

Controversial. Fun. Potentially viral. This campaign has it all, even if the guys who took part in it are probably now wandering the earth alone, but still...best event marketing campaign ever, well done AXE! 

Sexy animals for a juice

An advertising campaign can be kinky but coherent with the message\product...other times, it can be VERY kinky and still not having anything in common with the message\product!

Otherwise, how can this can be explained? Surely the payoff "DISCOVER AFRICA'S SPICIEST SECRETS" might not be a sufficient reason...at least, brand awareness (in either a good or a bad way), should be ensured

A new generation of sad prizes: boob job

Here's a particular promotional initiative, in a context in which these kind of marketing drivers aren't seen often: a nightclub (SinCity), during an Ibiza-themed night, it was possible to buy lottery tickets which would grant an original prize...a boob job.

The actual prize is good old money, but the advertising left little to the imagination: it was openly suggested to use them that way.

Why? Partly to keep in target with the club's positioning and audience, and partly to sparkle controversy...which is exactly what happened.

Controversy marketing...now that's a more common marketing driver in this kind of industry, as shown many times on this blog (just click here to see all the articles labeled under the "controversy marketing" tag!)

Gross (and almost "social") Advertising

This video is…peculiar. It certainly is structured as a viral video, but it’s so graphic and explicit that I can’t really imagine it to be passed on too much – also, there’s the serious risk of somebody not wanting to know how it ends…

…but for everybody who actually makes it until the end, the success of this AD is the fact that it makes you get the message: you WILL remember the payoff, next time you sleep in a hotel.

The Beyonce Controversy

This video is another example of something that is definitely NOT uncomventional in itself, but that in the end manages to capture more attention than it should thanks to the old fashioned controversy marketing strategies!

Beyonce new fragrance wouldn’t probably have gotten all the media exposure it has since it was decided that the video was too hot to be shown before night time – the conclusion? Now everybody has seen the AD and the product…during the news.

You won't believe this AD actually exist

The following video is a very brave AD that takes the buzz marketing approach to the extreme: if this actually works out (and it looks like it will...almost 2 millions views on Youtube), this will be the proof that nothing is too idiotic and too risky for the internet



The play on word is so stupid and gross that it may have ruined the success of the video, but this issue was cleverly balanced by the high production value of the video itself and the constant exposure of the AXE logo that reminds the viewer that this is an actual publicity!

Controversy Marketing - is italy finally catching up? (pt.2)

Another entry for the cause of the italian approach to "controversy marketing" - strategies.

There's probably nothing more to say on these kind of strategies on the blog (you can clic on the "controversy" tag to see other themed articles)...but I guess it's important to point out that all of these ADs haven't been found on marketing blogs, but on news websites - there's no need for more proof of the advantages of this ideas!

"Assorted" nun, eating italian ice cream...pregnant. Religion and sex always work when trying to create a controversy

This AD "screams" to get noticed...and talked about. Just look at the dimensions (and obviously, the subject)

Controversy Marketing - is italy finally catching up? (pt.1)

Another brilliant case of a Controversy Marketing...or just a succesfull result derived from a vulgar and gross strategy!

"You can ride me (install, as an Italian play on word) for free"

In the end, the controversy works as well as usual...maybe even better, since in addition to the usual free media coverage (blogs, forums, tv etc), even an Italian "Minister" (Carfagna) expressed her disappointment - and so the (almost unknown) brand names keeps getting echo and media exposure

The sexy burger scandal

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Toy car? Toy calendar

A funny (and still unreleased) fake calendar made by Matchbox...which makes little toy cars. So...what better calendar for the little mechanics that plays with them?

Still...one can't help but to think that this is a little (!) off-target...but as usual, everything is fine for the sake of the buzz marketing, so even a "leaked" announcement for a fake children calendar gets the honor of being referred to as unconventional

Behold the power of alchool

Many people have known first hand the effects of alchol on their inhibitions - but not many alcool brand decide to position themselves as "that one drink that will make you have sex since you're drunk", because it's not exactly what you can call "politically correct".

...now, meet FLIRT VODKA!

A brand with a self explaining name that based its ALL campaign and positioning on the principles of controversy and buzz marketing - they did something as unusal as eyecatching (see the photos below), actually hoping that these will be noticed...it doens't care if itsfor the best or for the worst - kudos flrit vodka!

Best beer AD in the world - Guiness "Share"

Another fine example of "we didn't know the video leaked on youtube...it was just a rejected concept!" (that casually happens to get the brand a rocket boost in terms of awareness)

Anti-smoke campaign: Tobacco's slave

French social campaign based on a literal depiction of the title's play on word


And as usual, the scandal leades to the debate (as planned!)

Sex Marketing Story - the Puma controversy, 2003

This explicit campaign wasn't created by a porn-related brand, but from the innocent sportswear company PUMA...or was it?


The brand claimed that this campaign was not supposed to be seen by anybody, since these images were merely a concept test - still, it's more likely that PUMA was simply ahead of its time and understood far too well the (now common) "leaked information" tool to create buzz and scandal - in fact, PUMA's sales performed very, very well in the aftermath!