While some marketers go for a more humorous or uplifting theme for their advertisements, others are starting to utilize more emotionally infused concepts, and these depressing ad campaigns are some great examples of how sad themes can often leave a huge impression on viewers.
Making people laugh during a commercial is certainly one way to capture their attention, but these depressing ad campaigns are creatively utilizing a more heartfelt technique to connect with viewers. By showcasing situations and concepts that feature lonely characters, dark environments and often sad real-life addictions, these unique ad campaigns are shedding light on a concept that people will actually be able to relate to.
A great change from the ordinarily more upbeat ads, these depressing ad campaigns will certainly leave a big impression on anyone who sees it.
13 Deeply Depressing Ad Campaigns
13
Depressed Retro Device Ads
McDonald's 'Loose Change' Menu Promotion Has Change-Eating Machines Sad
12
Suicidal Animal Ads
The China Environmental Protection Foundation Campaign Urges Human Help
11
Wrinkled Time-Passing Ads
The Mapfre Insurance Pension Plans Campaign Urges Smart Future Planning
10
Cremated Ash-Eating Ads
The JWT Stride Long Lasting Gum Commercial is Deadly Hilarious
9
Sinking Alcoholism Ads
The AA Unidade Servico Recupercao Campaign Depicts Suicidal Drinkers
8
Druggie Hamburger Ads
Childhood Obesity Commercial Takes Junk Food Too Far
7
Tunnel Vision Ads
The Stop Pain Social Initiative Campaign Sees Light at the End of the Tunnel
6
Tangled Animal Ads
The Dr. Phillips Dental Floss Campaign Depicts the Product's Strength
5
Lonely Acne Ads
The Galderma Benzac Campaign Centers Around Crater-Like Pores
4
Lonely Fragrance Campaigns
Man in Kylie Minogue's Inverse Ad Needs Some Companionship
3
Lonely Gas Pumps
The Chery QQ Ad Campaign Focuses on Nostalgia for the Past
2
Lonely Art Collective Ads
The ZeroFriends 'Dishes' Ad Reminds Viewers That Someone Cares
1
Incarcerated Clothes Ads
A Campaign for Petite Maman Redefines Baby Clothes as Prisoners
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Hidden Message Travel Ads
Expedia Vacations Hides Greetings in Luggage Tags for Newest Print Ads
Functional Outdoor Billboards
The IBM Smart Ideas for Smarter Cities Campaign Leads by Example
Age Appropriate Styling
Kylie Minogue Retires Her Sexy Image
Gender-Switched Pregnancy Ads
Thses Ads for the City of Chicago Show Impregnated Teenage Boys
Friendly Gibe Ads
The Renault Red Is Dead Campaign Revels in Beating Ferrari at Formula One
Demystified Marketing Ads
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Artful Fast-Food Packaging
These Painted French Fry Containers Reference Pop Culture Iconography
Watercolor Makeup Ads
The L’Officiel III Beauty Salon Campaign Showcases Streaking Mascara
Child-Frightening Toy Ads
The Limited Edition Collectible Toys Campaign is Not Geared Towards Kids
Retro Facebook Ads
These Social Media Ads by 6B Studio Brings You Back to the Days
40 Scentsational Celebrity and Designer Fragrance Ads
Double Vision Ads
The Morgan Stanley What if Campaign Addresses Shared Wants
Retro Twitter Ads (UPDATE)
Moma Propaganda Releases an Addition to Retrofied Social Media Campaign
Balloon People Ads
The Vodafone Celebrate Bandra Campaign Promotes an Annual Indian Festival
Fast Food Customer Portraits
People You Meet at McDonalds by Nolan Conway Shows Diverse Patrons
Stop Motion Coffee Cup Ads
The Starbucks Mondays Can Be Great Campaign is Optimistic
Premature Attendance Ads
The Durex Coming Early? Campaign is Hilariously Clever
A Supersized Toilet For Your Supersized Ass
Logo Tattoo Ads
The Saatchi & Saatchi Lovemarks Campaign Relies on Emotion Not Reason
Iconic Art-Inspired Photo Collages
The Shutterstock Ad Campaign Makes Masterpieces from Scratch
Non-Model Fashion Ads
Benetton Uses Everyday People for its Fall/Winter Campaign
60 Crash Avoiding Cars
Accident Proof Advancements from Shatterproof Glass to Vibrating Warnings
Comic-Inspired Zit Ads
The Clearasil Tough on Pimples Campaign is Youthful and Nostalgic
Intelligent Playgrounds to Fight Obesity
The i-Play
Phallic Weapon Ads
The Lovestore Make Love, Not War Campaign is Destructively Sensual
Burned Clock Ads
The UK Government Fire Kills Campaign Urges People to Check Their Smoke Alarms
Office Supply Addiction Ads
The Staples A Workaholic's Weakness Campaign Portrays an Obsession
Transforming Vehicle Ads
The Febreze Car Campaign Morphs Smelly Transporters into Pleasant Ones
Government-Enforced Fat Camps
China Combats Childhood Obesity
Kylie Minogue Launches Social Network
Kylieconnect.com
Wrinkled Time-Passing Ads
The Mapfre Insurance Pension Plans Campaign Urges Smart Future Planning
Wealthy Pig Ads
The Karlstad Energi Campaign Urges People to "Learn How to Avoid the Worst Pigs"
Condescending Trophy Ads
The Print Ads for the Young Director Award Feature Mocking Awards
Mile High Club Drink Ads
Effen Vodka Can be Enjoyed Anywhere
Kylie Minogue Facebook App
Kylie Robotics Celebrate Evolution
Toy Sculpture Possibility Ads
The LEGO 'It Begins With a Brick' Campaign is All About Imagination
Tribal Soft Drink Ads
The Blue 'Taste of Angola' Campaign is Colorful and Exotic
Special Moment Ads
The Master Lock Campaign Urges “Use a Number You’ll Never Forget
Gilded Fragrance Models
Charlize Theron Is Gold From Head to Toe for J'adore L'eau
Naughty Tricks Commercials
The Kliktease Lingerie Totaal Ad is the Perfect Way to Get What You Wan
Broken-Down Machinery Ads
The Association for Smoker Awareness Campaign Likens Humans to Machines
Box Lunch Reviews
This Happy Meal Infographic Deciphers Food Marketing Aimed at Children
Fast Food Timekeepers
The McDonald's Sundial Billboard Lets People Know What to Eat When
Origami Sketch Paper Ads
The Ad Pad Campaign Targets Advertising Creatives
Singers Rock As Designers
H&M Loves Kylie Minogue
Foosball Diorama Ads
The Goodyear Control Your Car Campaign Depicts Driving as a Game
Celebratory Survivor Ads
The Embassy of Israel in Argentina Campaign is Against Terrorism
Alcoholic Sundown Contraptions
Get the Night Started With the Quilmes Cristal Beer Campaign
Inaugural Fragrance Relaunches
Calvin Klein's CK One Promoted on 1/20 with Free Song
Novel Life-Changing Ads
The Arrebato Libros Campaign Morphs People into Book Characters
Shocking Anatomy Campaigns
The Biedermann McCann Print Ads Gets You Thinking Big
Fresh Processed Food Ads
The Dallas Farmers Market Campaign Transforms Burgers into Vegetables
Fat Erasing Ads
The 100 Rokiv Weight Loss Clinic Campaign Encourages Healthy Food Options
Government-Subsidized Gyms
South Korea Combats Childhood Obesity
Cosmic Fruit Ads
The Criterion Fine Cut Knives Campaign is Out of This World
Religious Sleeping Positions
The Chapel Bar & Bistro Ad Celebrates '7 Years of Almighty Nights'
Bloody Flow Chart Ads
The Armstrong Foundation Campaign is Dark and Brutal
Accordion Storage Ads
The Nissan Tiida Expandable Trunk Campaign Can Accommodate Large Containers
Heat-Sparking Sandwich Ads
This Spicy Thai McBistro Ad from McDonalds is Made for Online Only
Homeless Old Car Ads
The Renault Megane DCI 130 Campaign Depicts Some Sad Situations
Derogatory Dating Ads
Belgian Dating Site Vindeenlief Has Fun With the Femme-O-Matic Dispenser
Amateur Druggy Ads
The Psychiatric Health Fund Know Drugs Campaign Calls People Out
Appreciation Letter Ads
The Victorinox Companion For Life Campaign Focuses on Positive Feedback
Road-Reporting Apps
The iPhone Pothole Season App Campaign Helps People Avoid Messes
Fragrance Fashion Editorials
‘Cool Water' Spread in L'Officiel Hommes Celebrates
Plastic-Infused Surfing Ads
These Anti-Pollution Ads for Surfrider Throw Plastic in Surfers' Faces
Luxury-Loving Car Campaigns
The Volkswagen Touareg Ads Will Take Over Your Senses
Feline Infantry Videos
Cats in Tanks is an Adorable Yet Gruesome Combination
Sketch-Inspired Ads
The Pictionary Campaign Brings the Board Game to Life
Hovering House Campaigns
The 'Orphea: Home, Roulotte, Camping' Ads Fight Bugs with Levitation
Hilarious Halitosis Ads
The 'No One Follows Bad Breath' Campaign Illustrates Through Laughter
Medication Side Effect Ads
The Kentera Oxybutynin Transdermal Patch Campaign Cures All Problems
3D Excitement Advertising
The Sony Bravia 3D Ads Are Visually Enticing
Glamorous Puppet Drink Ads
Diet Coke 'Love it Light' Campaign Targets Stylish Women
Porcelain Pedestrian Ads
The City of Vancouver People are Fragile Campaign Promotes Safe Crossings
Cinematic Travel Posters
A Collection for Ster-Kinekor Theatres Glorifies Movie Travel Locations
Hosting Drink Ads
The Ellen Degeneres VITAMINWATER Enhanced Water Campaign
Cheerful Drink Ads
Feel Good Drinks Gets a Fruit Fan Club Poster Campaign
Fuzzy Animal Ads
The TV Record Minas Campaign Urges Viewers to Now "Let the Planet off Air"
Hipster-Mocking Commercials
The Honda Jazz 'Hipster' Video is a Parody of Trends
Viral Ads Against Obesity
ParticipAction Campaign Targets Youth
Dizzying Breakfast Food Ads
This McDonalds Breakfast Print Ad Stops the Confusion of Breakfast
French Fast-Food Wars
New McDonald's Timber Vs Farmer Campaign Competes for Supremacy
Sacrilegious Soft Drink Ads
The Red Bull Jesus Commercial is Hilarious
Liar Liar Car Commercials
The Land Rover LR4 Pathological Liar Video Makes Living a Lie Funny
Morbid Mouthwash Ads
The Ogilvy & Mather Indonesia for Frezza Mouthwash is Shocking
Splashy Athletic Campaigns
The Bardill Sport Print Ads Shows Hardy Gear in Use
Dieting Crusades
Michelle Obama's ‘Let's Move' Campaign Targets Kids
Religious Fairy Tale Ads
The Viva e Deixe Viver Campaign Compares Prayers to Stories
Crazy Baseball Commercials
SKY PerfecTV Puts a Graphic Spin on Sports
Animated Soft Drink Ads
Jerome Masi & Gaetan Boutet Films the Whimsical 'Be Coke' Video
Burger-Made Birthday Pizzas
Epic Meal Time Celebrates 2 Years with a Deep Dish Fastfood Pizza
Early Retirement Ads
The SA Lotteries X Lotto Campaign Focuses on an Easy Life
Intense Social Media Makeovers
The Lancome Facebook App Teaches You How to Overhaul Your Look
Healthy Halloween Eco-Treats
Inhabitot's List of Halloween Good-for-You Goodies
Junk Food Photomentaries
This Cheetos Expose Will Shock and Amaze You
Frolicking Fashion Ads
The Cadbury Dancing Clothes Commercial Will Make You Want to Boogie
Devilish Vacuum Commercials
The Dirt Devil Exorcist Ad is Freakishly Funny
Canine Trash Can Ads
The Purina Dog Chow Campaign Promotes Healthier Food Consumption
Wolfish Style Commercials
The French Connection 'This is the MAN' Ad Highlights Masculine Features
Trou-Dropping Drink Ads
The Mother London Stella Artois Commercial Finds the Perfect Man
Human Trophy Heads
The Reporters Without Borders Campaign Urges Us to Ban Journalist Hunting
Bromantic Sports Drink Ads
David Wright and The Situation Team Up for Vitamin Water Commercial
Kylie Minogue Draped in $1.1M in Diamonds
Healthy Junk Food Apps
Bryan Au's Eco Chef iPhone App Has Over 100 Recipes
Transgendered Gum Ads
The Jason Bateman Orbit Gum Commercial Features Cross Dressing Fun
Blue Yeti Music Videos
Furry Puppet Studio Teams Up With Jon Hamm and Herman Dune
Heartfelt Phone Feature Ads
The Samsung 'Sound and Shot' Feature Wants to be Your Life Companion