These frightful marketing techniques are some clever examples of how images of violence or simply scary references can easily capture the attention and gaze of potential viewers.
With the amount of advertisements and print ads that people see on a regular basis, PSAs and commercials are most often dismissed and forgotten about. These frightful marketing techniques however, have creatively utilized tactics that will scare and frighten viewers into remembering their message or product. From violent vehicle campaigns that boldly showcase passengers getting injured by cars to ads that feature creepy dolls and faceless characters, these frightful marketing techniques are sure to make an impression with their eerie and unsettling themes.
Sure to attract horror fanatics or simply those intrigued by scary themes, these frightful marketing techniques will definitely make viewers remember these ads for a long time to come.
55 Frightful Marketing Techniques
From Event-Promoting Horror Videos to Wide-Eye Toy Campaigns:
Tana Makmanee — Oct 11, 2013 — Marketing
55
Beautifully Sinister Photography
Wie Es Euch Gefallt by Carsten Witte is Mysterious and Moody
54
Child-Frightening Toy Ads
The Limited Edition Collectible Toys Campaign is Not Geared Towards Kids
53
Banned Shockvertisements
Overly-Morbid Print Ads
52
Role Reversal Shockvertising
'Humans for Animals' Creates an Alarming Campaign
51
Banned Gaming Posters
PlayStation Move Ad Throws a Few Too Many Punches for the Public Eye
50
Violent Car Campaigns
The Lamborghini Aventador 2011 Ads Have an Agressive Message
49
Monster-Full Fashion Ads
The Mulberry Fall 2012 Campaign is Entirely Enchanting
48
Interactive Anti-Blemish Ads
Peel-Off Zits & Cellulite You Can Pop
47
Horrorvertising
Burger King's ‘Open Late' Campaign Caters to Scary Villains
46
Ghostly Fading Health Campaigns
These Truth Anti-Smoking Ads Shine a Light on Mortality
45
Ghostly Presence Prints
This Perdigao Campaign Promotes Meals of Deceased Granny's Standard
44
Gory Toy Campaigns
The Caritas Ad Campaign Warns Parents of Violent Playthings
43
Blindfolded Victim Ads
The Instituto Crianca Nosso Futuro Campaign Focuses on False Promises
42
Murderous Meal Ads
Danio by Danone Campaign Kills Your Hunger with its Food Products
41
Perforated Portrait Ads
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Campaign Advocates a Cure
40
Violent Darwinian Robo Art
"Evolution of Technology" by Saturn Electronics
39
Voyeurvertising
Kia Soul Ad Campaign Gives Mobsters a Sneak Peek Inside
38
Shushing Blowdryer Ads
The Philips ActiveCare 2300 Hairdryer Campaign Lulls Babies to Sleep
37
Wide-Eye Toy Campaigns
The BIC Alcaline Battery Ads are Intense
36
Accident Prevention Campaigns
The New Kia Advertisement Warns Viewers About Distracted Driving
35
Blood-Sucking Smoking Ads
The 'Mask' Campaign Discourage Smoking Through Dracula-Like Smokes
34
Barbaric Furniture Ads
The Connect Furniture Print Ads Show People Why They Need Furniture
33
Violent Movie Promotions
More 'Terminator Salvation' Artwork Hits the Web
32
Violent Pinata Ads
Pluton Advertising Agency Encourages You to Beat Up Winter
31
Villainous Vampiric Ads
This Tabard Mosquito Repellant Campaign Features Serious Blood Suckers
30
Lost Literary Characters
The Micromax Mobile Ad Campaign Shows You Will Never Go Astray
29
Humane Pest Prevention Ads
The Electromagnetic Rodent Repellent is Cruelty-Free
28
Frightening Food Safety Ads
Parents and Kids Should watch Out for the Scorpion in the Burger
27
Scary Surgical Utensils
Toronto East General Hospital Ads Promote Express Expansion Goals
26
Frightening Facial Hair Ads
The Newest Movember Ad Features David and his Creepy Mustache
25
Violence-Perpetuating Ads
The Convivencia Sin Violencia Campaign Urges People to Stop the Cycle
24
Alleyway Attack Ads
The World Asthma Foundation Campaign Shows That the Disease Can Hit Anytime
23
Scary Listening Promos
BBC Radio Science Fiction Ad Scares You Into Listening
22
Frightening Flashlight Faces
Relive Your Childhood Fears Campaign is Inspired by Campfire Tales
21
Violent Lawn Campaigns
The Stihl Viking Ads Seem to Have a Rather Violent Ending
20
Ghostly Donor Campaigns
The France Adot 2011 Ads Celebrate and Thank Organ Donors
19
Horrific Porcelain Ads
The Profondo Rosso Campaign is Shockingly Gory
18
Disturbing Explosive Commercials
The Denmark Against Landmines 'Picnic Gone Wrong' Ad is Scary
17
Uncovering Alcoholism
These PSA Ads Reveal The Ugly Reality
16
Frightened Profile Update Ads
The SOS Violence Conjugale Campaign Sheds Awareness on Spousal Abuse
15
Scary Sci-Fi Prequel Promos
The Ridley Scott 'Prometheus' Trailer has Many 'Alien' References
14
Devilish Vacuum Commercials
The Dirt Devil Exorcist Ad is Freakishly Funny
13
Pizza Delivery Adventures
The Hell Pizza 'Deliver Me to Hell' Advertisement is Explosive
12
Gun-Toting Violence PSAs
The YouTube 'Gun Safety Gone Wrong' Film Fires in all the Right Ways
11
Deadly Automotive Ads
The Banned Smart Ad Will Have You Scared of Your Backseat
10
Monstrous Pimple Ads
The Oatmeal Spot Clear Ad Campaign Shows What People See When They Have a Zit
9
Spinning Perspective Ads
The Mercedes-Benz 4MATIC Campaign Depicts Being Out of Control
8
Sensually Violent Smartphone Ads
Blackberry's 'Two Scoops' Ad was Directed by Robert Rodriguez
7
Frightening Illness Ads
'The Bear' HIV Prevention Commercial Shows the Masked Qualities of HIV
6
Event-Promoting Horror Videos
Portfolio Night Could be as Scary as the Terrifying Promo Vid
5
Apparition Aroma Ads
The Electra Chef Campaign Sheds Light on Odor Haunted Homes
4
Spooky Jet-Black Brews
The Market Store Gives Guinness a Holiday Makeover
3
Violent PC-Human Relationships
Make-Up Courses to Promote Sports
2
Monstrous Fashion Campaign Videos
The 'Monsters Inc.' Fall Fashion Video is Truly Strange
1
Ghostly Porcelain Figurine Ads
The Fevikwik Instant Adhesive Campaign has a Supernatural Streak
Related Ideas
Nostalgia-Driven Cereal Promotions
Kellogg’s Toy Story 5 Cereal Boxes Reintroduce In-Pack Toys
Playful Billboard Campaigns
Dreamies Treats Unveil a Show-Stopping 3D Billboard Campaign
Viral Non-AI Christmas Ads
Intermarché’s “Le mal aimé” Ad Was Made by an 80-Person Team
Interactive Fashion Horror Games
The Room by Gentle Monster Reimagines Brand Storytelling
Early Autumnal Chocolate Products
These Mars Chocolate Products are Arriving for Summerween
Debunking Skincare Campaigns
The Periodic Fable by The Ordinary Exposes Beauty Industry Buzzwords
Cinema-Inspired Fashion Campaigns
Brunello Cucinelli Released Cinema Meraviglia for the Holidays
Miniature Horror Figures
The New Pop Mart Chucky blind-box collectible figures are Playful
Humorous Fun-Forward Ads
Six Flags Rolls Out Its 'Funsultant' Campaign to Prove Fun Is Serious
Scary Ketchup Expiry Campaigns
Heinz's ‘Expired Sauce Hunt’ Reminds Consumers to Clear the Fridge
Family-Friendly Halloween Essentials
Oriental Trading Creative Decor Options
High-Profile Live Performance Marketing
Rokid Delighted Folks with a High-Profile Marketing Event
Enigmatically Suspenseful Fashion Campigns
Tom Ford Presents Its Fall 2025 Advertising Campaign
Immersive Horror Games
Eyes Never Wake's Monster Sees Players Through Their Webcam
AI-Driven Product Photoshoots
Unilever Shared Its Use of AI and Digital Twins at NVIDIA GTC 2025
Major Fan-Centric Candy Campaigns
Skittles Debuts the Playful Skittles Obsessed Initiative
Telenovela-Inspired Safety Videos
Philippine Airlines Unveiled 'Care That Comes From The Heart’
Vibrant Mental Health Campaigns
CDC Has Launched the Playfully Illustrated Free Mind
Authentic Connection Campaigns
Heineken's Hijack Socialization Encourages Out-of-Home Gatherings
Halloween Essentials Campaigns
IKEA Turns Home Essentials into Shields for Scary-Movie Nights
Wishlist-Spotlighting Billboards
Sephora Canada Features Customer Wishlists on Holiday Billboards
Horror Franchise Soda Ranges
These Fanta Sodas Showcase Horror Film Characters
Haute Auto Pattern Campaigns
The Audi Car Couture Ad Turns Car Parts into Dressmaking Layouts
One-of-a-Kind Beauty Campaigns
The Beauty Machine by Dove Challenges Algorithm-Driven Standards
Interactive Advertising Installations
Intimissimi's 'Feel the Billboard' Uses Tactile Advertising
Night QSR Campaigns
The Mcdonald’s Night Posters Turn Post-Party Cravings into Glowing Urban Art
Horror Doll Collectibles
Pop Mart's Blind Box Chucky Franchise Series Shares Scary Surprises
Gamified Condiment Experiences
HEINZ’s Ketchup Blast Turns Meals Interactive
Drug-Themed April Fool's Gags
Innocean Berlin's Glory Over Pain Corporation Campaign is Satirical
Urban Landscape-Inspired Campaigns
The Casablanca Fall 2025 Advertising Campaign is Interesting
Globalized Tournament Campaigns
Coca-Cola Debuts 'Uncanned Emotions' for the 2026 World Cup
Cinematic Auto Marketing Campaigns
Mazda Debuts the '5 Sides of the All-New CX-5' Film
Retail Advertising Campaigns
IKEA Hides Price Tags to Highlight Material Quality in a New Campaign
Brighton Retail Launch Ads
IKEA Brighton Uses Seagull Splatter Campaign to Win Local Attention
Football-Themed Hiring Campaigns
The NFL Links Draft Culture to Inclusive Hiring Practices
Film-Inspired Vodka Marketing Campaigns
GREY GOOSE Partners with The Devil Wears Prada 2
Consumer-Focused Packaging Strategies
Hershey's Unveils Elevated Packaging at Sweets & Snacks Expo
Nightmarish Mobile Campaigns
Liquid Death Created the Cellphone Bill Character for Boost Mobile
Larger-Than-Life Candy Campaigns
Sour Patch Kids Presents a 15-Foot Inflatable for Hidden Treats
TV-Inspired Detergent Campaigns
Tide Draws Parallels Between Stranger Things & Letters to Tide
Mobile Beauty Pop-Ups
Henkel’s göt2b Debuts a Citywide Mobile Beauty Experience
Experiential Marketing Campaigns
MIKE AND IKE, HOT TAMALES, and Marvel Team Up for Campus Tour
Home-Centric Beauty Campaigns
Sally Beauty Debuts the Holiday Beauty at Home Campaign
Marketer-Targeted Albums
The Spotify Tunetorials Campaign Blurs Education and Entertainment
Typography Food Campaigns
Pumpui Unveils a Custom Typeface to Differentiate Korean-Style Products
Digital Halloween Games
Google Celebrates Pac-Man’s 45th Anniversary with a Spooky Maze Doodle
Imaginative Fantasy-Inspired Campaigns
Canva Spotlights its Creative Tools Ahead of Halloween
Eating Ritual Campaigns
Müller You Know How You Like It Celebrates Unique Snacking Methods
Decluttered Ad Campaigns
IKEA Unpackaged Goods Organizes Branded Products into Storage Containers
Culture-Inspired Dolls
Katseye and Monster High Debut a Music Video & Inclusive Doll Collaboration
Unfiltered Sleep Campaigns
The IKEA Sleep Talk Reviews Campaign Uses Real Nighttime Mutterings
Innovative Outdoor Advertising Campaigns
Unilever's Dirt is Good Turns Billboards into Playgrounds
Traveling Fashion Showcases
The Guess Bus in Sydney is an Example of Experimental Marketing
Limited-Edition Spooky Makeup Collections
Annabelle Cosmetics is Gearing Up for Halloween
Gamified Scent Marketing Experiences
Axe's Grab The Sweet Turned a Bus Stop into a Claw Machine
Distracted Driving Awareness Videos
Project Yellow Light's 'Love Story' Is a Wake-Up Call
Revived 90s Commercials
Gushers' FruitHead Short Horror Film Reimagines a Nostalgic Ad
Affiliate Marketing Guides
Affiliate Marketing Prompt Book Provides 500+ Prompts for Marketers
After-Dark Pizza Ads
Morrisons' Market Street Halloween Pizza Ads Transform at Night
Global Girl Group-Inspired Dolls
Mattel and KATSEYE Reimagine Monster High's Iconic 'Fright Song'
Burger Ad Campaigns
Burger King’s New Campaign Suggests Even Babies Can’t Resist the Whopper
Cinematic Video Game Spots
Droga5’s ‘Wake Up’ Campaign for Xbox Shows an Escape from the Everyday
Immersive Horror-Inspired Attractions
Six Flags Channels The Conjuring: Beyond Fear
Early Allergen Exposure Ads
The Square Baby Super Bowl Spot Promotes a Science-Backed Message
Athlete-Backed Beverage Campaigns
PepsiCo and NFL Players Debut 'Tailgate Crashers'
Spooky Nail Polish Sets
Beetles Gel Polish's Scream on Halloween Gift Box is a Special Collectible
Unfiltered Skincare Campaigns
The Indu Spots Happen Campaign Celebrates Unretouched Teen Skin
Humorous Chocolate Spots
Toblerone Introduced its ‘Chocolate Like Nobody’s Watching’
Humorous Payment Platform Campaigns
The Great PayPal Checkout Spotlights the Pay Later Services
Chicken Wing Teasing Campaigns
This Pizza Hut Wings Campaign Pokes Fun at Competitors
Limited-Edition Halloween Treats
Kellanova Brands Debut Exclusive Treats for Halloween
Coordinated Convenience-Focused Promotional Campaigns
7-Eleven Runs Promotions for Two Events
Holiday Retail Campaigns
Walmart's WhoKnewVille is a Seuss-Inspired World of Festive Cheer
Experiential Grocery Campaigns
No Name launches a multi-city grocery goss campaign
Interactive Scented Billboard Ads
LOLA MullenLowe Presents a Scented Lynx/Axe Campaign
Football-Focused Sofa Campaigns
Pepsi Presents the Refresh the Game Campaign with Icons
Halloween Blind Boxes
Pop Mart Unveils New Halloween-Themed Blind Boxes Starring Fan-Favorite IPs
Video Business Cards
Vidcard Helps to Make Connections and Leave a Lasting Impression
AI Ad Generators
Creatify Turns Product URLs Into Ready-To-Use Video Ads Automatically.
Athlete-Led Marketing Strategies
Forta Cosmetics Uses Athlete Network to Launch Its Setting Spray
Satirical Destination Marketing Videos
The Viral Switzerland is Fake is Cheeky and Tech-Driven
Ice Cream Popsicle Campaigns
Häagen Dazs’ Devoured Campaign Sparks Craving Through Absence
Emotional Mothers Day Ads
Apple's Mother’s Day Campaign Showcases Spatial Video's Emotional Power
Halloween-Themed Shiraz Wines
Barossa Ink Shiraz is Debuting New Branding for the Autumn
Ghost-Themed Snack Products
These General Mills Halloween Products Come in Three Options
Sensory Retail Experiences
Claire’s Launches ASMR-Inspired Stores for Gen Alpha Shoppers
French Beer Marketing Campaigns
1664 Features Robert Pattinson in Its New Acting-Inspired Campaign
Gamer-Themed Soda Branding
Fanta and Xbox Partnered for Limited-Edition Pack Designs
Creative Eerie-Themed Soccer Campaigns
Nike Football Reimagines Soccer with 'Scary Good'
Athletic Event-Timed Tech Campaigns
TCL Ran a Comprehensive Ad Campaign During the Olympics
Vibrant Cafeteria-Inspired Campaigns
Lunchtime Becomes a Joyous Time in 'The Lunchables Effect'
Tactile Marketing Campaigns
She Said Yes Strives to Increase Tactile Engagement
Cut-Out Easter Treat Disguises
Cadbury Created Print Ads That Hide Easter Eggs as Everyday Items
Horror Doll Makeup Campaigns
Urban Decay x M3GAN Team Up for 'Killer Looks Only'
Health-Boosted Candies
Baby Bottle Pop's Adulthood Survival Collection Recognizes Popular Callouts
Product-Inspired Halloween Looks
Aldi and EllaDoesFX Created a Look Inspired by Professor Peppy
Food-Inspired Street Art
Knorr's Dish Pics Campaign Replaces Unwanted, Unsavory Images
Interactive Traveling Marketing Initiatives
Heinz Pllayfully Spotlights the Heinz Ketchup Zero
Playful Hide-And-Seek Holiday Campaigns
Chaumet's Holiday 2025 Campaign Film is Whimsical
Empowering Cosmetic Campaigns
The Revlon Be Unforgettable Campaign Reinterprets a Brand Tagline
Halloween-Themed Pet Product Collections
The PetSmart Thrills & Chills Collection is Expansive
Black Garlic Mayonnaise
The Heinz Halloween Mayo Turns a Classic Condiment into a Seasonal Twist
Road Safety-Focused QSR Campaigns
McDonald's Türkiye Launched a Campaign Called Drink & Drive
Branded App Takeovers
TikTok Introduces Logo Takeover Ads That Dominate the App’s Opening Screen
Post-Game Breakfast Campaigns
McDonald's Flipped Its Ads Sideways for Super Bowl Recovery
Horror-Inspired Sports Campaigns
Nike Presents the Scary Good Campaign with Satire Themes
Trading-Focused Marketing Initiatives
Exness Debuts an Ambitious Global Marketing Initiative
Horror Film Fragrances
Osmo Crafted "the Scent of a Nightmare" for the Dream Eater Movie
Cinematic Martial Arts Promotions
Premier Foods and Sony Pictures Celebrate Karate Kid: Legends
Spooky Slasher Movie Experiences
Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights Features Art the Clown
Critical Spicy Snack Campaigns
The New Flamin’ Hot Campaign Puts Its Spice to the Ultimate Test
Performance Marketing Platforms
PebblePost Expanded into Connected Television Advertising
Interactive Game Advertisements
Samsung Ads GameBreaks Encourage Deeper Engagement
Festive Fairytale Campaigns
Boots' Gift Happily Ever After Celebrates Meaningful Gifting
Halloween-Themed Qsr Menus
Burger King Reveals a Monster Menu with Vampire Nuggets and Mummy Fries
Robust Childhood Cancer Campaigns
Childhood Cancer Canada Launches 'Let's Face the Unimaginable'
Attention Economy Agencies
VaynerX Launches Tamara Group to Drive Social-First Brand Relevance
Curated Horror Subscriptions
the Tales of the Weird Subscription Offered Eerie Stories
Nostalgic Beauty Campaigns
Dove's #UnseenBeauty Initiative Challenges Y2K Beauty Standards
No-Nonsense Grooming Campaigns
The Rock Face Makes Scents Campaign Pokes Fun at Marketing Cliches
Human-First Marketing Agencies
Alev Digital Prioritizes Human Creativity Over AI-Generated Content
Purpose-Driven Brand Storytelling Platforms
Hellonation Has Debuted Its Edvertising Model
Embedded Safety Networks
‘Ask for Angela’ Builds Retail-Based Support Systems Across Toronto
Halloween-Themed Advent Calendars
The 13 Nights of Halloween Advent Calendar Builds Excitement
Workday Break-Focused Campaigns
KitKat Debuts the 24/7 Teams Meeting Campaign Concept
Personalized Present Campaigns
The Wonderbly Everyone’s Got Favourites Campaign is Rolling Out Now
Appealing Text-To-Visual Tools
Word Glow Converts Text into Stunning Visuals for Social Media
Leather Goods-Focused Holiday Campaigns
Delvaux Debuted an Elevated Holiday Campaign This Year
Ad Creation Platforms
Magritte Helps Marketers Discover, Design, and Launch Ads Quickly
Interactive Prank Tools
Scratch & Reveal Sends Custom Surprises and Jump Scares to Friends
Gothic Romance Restaurant Campaigns
Eggslut's Egg Yearning Explores an Unexpected Symbol of Desire
Physical-World Data Marketing
WPP Uses Google Earth AI to Predict Real-World Consumer Behavior
Halloween Season Candy Campaigns
World Business Chicago is Promoting Chicago-Based Candy
Interactive Traveler-Focused Campaigns
Tessan Will Spotlight the 100 Travelers Campaign
Brandless Packaging Campaigns
McDonald’s Tested a Name-Free 'Famous Order' Promotion
Retail Marketing Advancements
Westfield Rise Debuts a Programmatic Targeting Solution For Malls
Fake Video Gaming Essays
Super Eyepatch Wolf Explores Imaginary Gaming Worlds
Brand Recognition Games
Product Guesser Tests Brand Recognition Through Interactive Play Tool
Visual Discovery Campaigns
Pinterest Autumn-Winter Ads Highlight Castlecore Dreams and Fuzzy Vibes
Retail Conversation Marketing Campaigns
Tesco Launches 'Need Anything From Tesco' Platform