Breaking Taboos in Advertising: Censorship Need Not Apply

In our quest to be advertising pioneers, we always want to push that envelope, toe that line, blaze that trail, all while being truthful and honest in order to get our brand message across.  So how taboo does content really need to be in order to get people talking, to raise eyebrows, and invoke change?

Marketers and creatives alike have found that being unapologetically honest - a perfect ingredient for being, and breaking, taboo - is not only good for change, but also good for business. It sells more products and creates a base of loyal brand advocates. More importantly, they get the conversation going about important, human topics such as menstruation, sexual activity, erectile dysfunction, and race that have otherwise been seen as inappropriate or just plain scary to talk about.

Read more

9 Ad Campaign Fails from Years Past (and lessons learned along the way)

Dove’s “Campaign for Real Beauty” remains a standout after more than 14 years.  By deconstructing beauty norms at a time when few women considered themselves beautiful according to modern standards (in other words, skinny, young, and blemish-free), the personal care brand created what Ad Age considers the No. 1 campaign of the 21st century.  A successful brand campaign such as this may look effortless, but it’s the product of skilled marketing expertise, good strategic judgement, and boundless creativity. But what about the campaigns that don’t meet these criteria?

Read more

Experiential Art & Advertising: How blurry is the line that separates them?

Experiential art connects viewers to one another and to the work itself in ways that surround, captivate and fascinate - producing experiences that are anything but ordinary.  It was only a matter of time before the advertising industry jumped on board.  “I believe art is a bottomless pit to be used for experiential inspiration. It allows advertisers and brands to behave badly or strangely and with a shrug of the shoulders say 'it's art',” explains Campaign.  For art purists, that may be an uncomfortable line of thought.  For agency executives, it’s a line of thought that works.  

Read more
Back To Top