Category
Marketing
Polarized Marketing
Trend cluster
Category
Shocktivism
Activists take a more militant stance through provocative marketing strategies.
6.0
Trend score
What's Happening
What is the Shocktivism trend?
Shocktivism: Activists are viewing marketing as less of a fringe activity and more of a necessity, competing for a piece of the marketing pie where they can. Using shock tactics that raise eyebrows, social organizations are behaving more and more like marketers—only with a different message. Consumers--those who crave social change as well as those who don’t--can’t help but absorb and respond to this provocative activism.
Trend themes
Themes within the Shocktivism trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Shocktivism
Activists use provocative marketing strategies to compete for a piece of the marketing pie.
02
Desensitization Marketing
Consumers are drawn to advertisements which contain shocking graphic imagery and that are memorable.
03
Charitable Body Modification
People are willing to undergo extreme physical change for a cause they believe in.
Industry implications
What the Shocktivism trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Marketing
Marketing professionals can take inspiration from activists' use of provocative strategies.
For
Charity
Charities can inspire people to undergo extreme physical changes such as body modifications for their cause.
For
Environmentalism
Companies can keep in mind the urgency of environmental messaging and the effectiveness of graphic and disturbing imagery when devising marketing strategies.
Trend signals
Trend signals for Shocktivism
Trend score 6.0 out of 10, from popularity 83%, activity 89%, freshness 8%.
Popularity83%
Activity89%
Freshness8%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha (not a primary audience)
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X
- Boomer (not a primary audience)
Market
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
Evidence
Examples of the Shocktivism trend
11 featured examples from Apr 28 to Jul 6, 2010CategorySocial Good
Charitable Body Modifications
Aryan Hopkins Gets 1,091 Piercings for the Shriners Hospital for Chi
Discovering potential opportunities for collaboration between healthcare organizations and extreme fundraisers to raise funds for medical institutions.
CategoryWorld
Riot Photography
Crowdsourced Photography Becomes Go-To for G20 Riots in Toronto
The changing landscape of journalism calls for new business models that leverage crowdsourcing and user-generated content to deliver news.
CategoryEco
Social Awareness Greetings
The BP Oil Spill Greeting Cards by enGreet are Satirical and Charitable
Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introduce innovative concepts and designs in greeting cards that resonate with modern consumers.
CategorySocial Good
Ignorance-Themed Activism
Amnesty International 'Ignore Us' Print Campaign is Provocative
Using innovative tactics to promote activism around human rights issues.
CategoryEco
Graffitied Endangered Species
The WWF Campaign Tags the Environment for Awareness
The art and design industry can embrace graffiti as a form of expression and use it to create awareness campaigns.
CategoryEco
Toxic Animal Ads
The WWF Evollution Campaign Looks to Send a Clear Message
Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the advertising industry to create impactful and controversial campaigns.
CategorySocial Good
Gory Toy Campaigns
The Caritas Ad Campaign Warns Parents of Violent Playthings
Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporate advanced sensor technology or smart algorithms into children's toys to detect and prevent the presence of violent or inappropriate c…
CategoryMarketing
Sinister Anti-Smoking Campaigns
'Smoking Kill' by Khalil Damak Shows the Dangerous Cycle
Opportunity for advertising agencies to create compelling anti-smoking campaigns that utilize graphic imagery to evoke emotional responses from viewers.
CategoryPop Culture
Heat-Packing Mothers
Moms with Guns Amber Alert PSA Makes a Brave Statement
Gun manufacturers can capitalize on the shift towards alternative safety measures by developing new and innovative products.
CategoryEco
Flash Mob Activism
Swiss Flashmobs Demonstrate Possibilities of Nuclear Plant Meltdown
The anti-nuclear flash mob trend creates an industry opportunity for renewable energy technologies and solutions.
CategorySocial Good
Gay Rights Stunts
4,000 Singapore GLBT Supporters Show Up at Pink Dot 2010
Hotels and travel agencies can provide inclusive packages and accommodation options for LGBT travelers.
