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
Horror-Themed Phone Campaigns
Samsung's Join the Flip Side Takes Cues from 90s Horror Movies
Sour Candy Challenges
1UP Candy's Kit Challenges Sour Candy Fans to Keep a Straight Face
AI-Generated Beauty Images
Elizabeth Arden Uses Generative AI to Enhance Archival Images
AI-Driven Dreamy Fashion Campaigns
ETRO's Spring 2024 Ad Campaign Uses Artificial Intelligence
Fantasy Energy Drink Activations
Monster Energy Ultra Taps Pinky for a New Brand Activation
Playful Pet Accident Campaigns
IKEA Unveils the Don't Worry, You Can Afford It Campaign
AI-Generated Art Challenges
The KFC x Fiiiiiingers Rewarded Fans for Creating Images with AI
Sneaker-Stealing Campaigns
Rob It To Get It by Distance Challenged Customers to Outrun a Sprinter
Anti-Consumption Natural Ads
The 'Girls Just Wanna Grow Plants' Ad Aims to Reducing Consumption
Teddy Bear Outerwear
Build-A-Bear Cuddly Couture Shares Cozy, Warm Styles
AI Product Image Generators
Google Product Studio Uses Generative AI to Create Product Images
Hater-Created Music Videos
Liquid Death's Greatest Hates Volume III Features Social Media Comments
Sun-Framing Billboards
Minute Maid's New Billboards Help Passersby Get a Daily Dose of Vitamin D
Ingenious De-Influencing Ads
Cuyana's De-Influencing April Fool's Campaign Highlights Greenwashing
Ketchup Dispenser Billboards
'Smack for Heinz' Helps Fans Complete Meals with a Favorite Condiment
Witty Toy-Brand Horror Posters
LEGO Presents a Range of Playful Horror Posters for the Season
Emotive Fried Chicken Campaigns
KFC's Enjoy, It's Beautiful Captures Expressions While Eating
Engaging Shelf Displays
Netvisual is Elevating In-Store Advertising with its Shelf Edge Displays
Employee Fragrance Campaigns
Lidl's Fragrance Campaign Features Local Talent with Celebrity Names
Hug-Activated Marketing Machines
UNIQLO France and The Pull Launch the Hug to Unlock Ad
Lazy Cereal Campaigns
SURREAL Cereal Cheekily Pokes Fun at New Year's Resolutions
Inspiring Leftover Ads
Hellmann's Mayo Cat Super Bowl Ad Uses Mayonnaise to Fight Food Waste
Creative Play Pop-Ups
The Sharpie Studio Offered Opportunities for Creativity at SXSW
Fast Food-Inspired Beachy Campaigns
Leo Burnett Italia Unveils a New Summery McDonald's Campaign
Candid Furniture Campaigns
Life is Not an IKEA Catalog Shows a Different Side of Home Products
Interactive In-Store Ads
Visibubble Brings Mobile Messaging Capabilities to Store Shelves
Curious Whiskey Campaigns
Four Roses' Don't Mention It Campaign Targets Younger Whiskey Drinkers
Fake Ketchup Campaigns
This Heinz Campaign Exposes "Ketchup Fraud"
Convention-Challenging AC Campaigns
Samsung's WindFree Ad Stars a Savvy Grandma-Fluencer
Heated QSR Anniversary Campaigns
Burger King Brazil Celebrates Milestone with a New Campaign
Naughty Holiday Campaigns
Diesel's XXXMas is Inspired by Erotic 90s Aesthetics
Provocative AR Campaigns
NotCo's 'Not So Happy Animals' Presents Food Logos in a New Light
Gen Alpha Marketing Campaigns
Claire's is Targeting TikTok Growth for its Latest Ads Spending
Dynamic CGI Mascara Campaigns
Maybelline New York Unveils an Activation with a Giant Mascara
Experiential Mental Well-Being Events
Batiste's Refresh & Reflect Events Connect & Uplift Students
Cinematic Fashion Campaigns
Norse Projects Partners with Mikkel Karstad for Its New Campaign
AI-Created Burger Ads
Burger King Had ChatGPT Generate a Poster to Clap Back at a Competitor
AI Travel Campaigns
Away's Extraordinary Is Out There Uses AI to Show Real-World Destinations
Cosmetic Criminal Commercials
Elf's Cosmetic Criminals Ad is a 15-Minute True Crime Parody
Connected Gamer Campaigns
Heineken's Just Another Night Out Shatters Anti-Social Stereotypes
Mental Health-Protective Films
Dove's Cost of Beauty: A Dove Film Protects Teen's Mental Health
Sensorial Beer Campaigns
Feel the Alps Captures the Essence of Edelweiss
Paranormal Fashion Dolls
The Monster High Annabelle Doll Was Inspired by The Conjuring
Interactive Beauty Metaverses
Fenty Beauty's First Campaign on Roblox Has Mazes & Scavenger Hunts
Creativity Time Capsules
Crayola's Campaign for Creativity Reunites Adults with Childhood Art
Mixed-Reality Cola Billboards
This 3D Coca-Cola Billboard Dispenses Real, Cold Drinks
Child-Friendly Camera Concepts
The Camera for Kids Concept Reimagines the Digital Camera
Channel-Switching Commercials
This Tubi Super Bowl Ad Tricked Millions of Sports Viewers
Smart Shopping Cart Ads
Instacart Unveiled Ads for Its AI-Powered Caper Carts
Cartoon Underdog Soda Campaigns
Tractor Beverage Company Launches a Moving New Campaign
AR Monster Wines
19 Crimes & Universal Monsters Created Limited-Edition Halloween Wines
Scented Fast Food Billboards
McDonald's Set Up a French Fry-Scented Billboard
Celebrity-Fronted Gardening Campaigns
Miracle-gro Introduces the Gro Like Martha Campaign
AI-Powered QSR Campaigns
allplants Leverages AI To Transforms Fast-Food Ads
Sweating Billboards
Netflix's Billboard Conveys the Intense Action of Extraction 2
Horror Film-Inspired Cookbooks
The Death for Dinner Cookbook by Zach Neil Has 60 Recipes
Confetti-Filled Snacking Commercials
Frito-Lay Launches the Taste of Super Bowl Campaign
Wild Granny Campaigns
Liquid Death's 'Your Grandma’s Energy Drink' Stars Daring Old Women
Doll-Inspired High Heels
The Fantastic Plastic Foot Shoes are Shaped Like a Doll's Tip-Toed Foot
Illusory Fry Billboards
KFC is Promoting Its Fing Fing Cajun Chips with a Clever Billboard
AI-Powered Marketing Tools
This E-Commerce Tool Uses Customer Data to Project Reward Impacts
Water Digital Wallet Loyalty Cards
Liquid Death Has Introduced the Liquid Death Country Club
Food Truck Billboards
McDonald's Transformed Billboards into Digital Food Truck Displays
70s-Style Cat Snack Ads
Temptations' Creamy Purrrr-ée Treats Star in a Nostalgic Holiday Ad
Comfort-Focused Footwear Ads
The ALDO Spring 2024 Campaign Highlights Its Pillow Walk Technology
Viral Video Databases
Viral Ideas Offers Inspiration for a Content Creator's Next Big Video
Immersive Hybrid Billboards
Meta's Halloween Thrillboards Tease Immersive Meta Quest 3 Experiences
Monstrous Horror Video Games
This Game Challenges Players to Evade An AI-Fueled Monster
Gifting-Focused Travel Chocolate Products
Ferrero Travel Market Has Shown Off New Treats
Adorable Holiday Campaigns
Burberry's Holiday Campaign Spotlights Dogs and Ducklings
Unfiltered Beauty Campaigns
#NoFilterJustMilani Champions Beauty Online and in Real Life
Spooky Pastel-Hued Halloween Decor
Michaels Sweet & Spooky Halloween Decor Collection is Playful
Cringe-Worthy Photo Campaigns
Sour Patch Kids is Challenging Fans to Choose "Cringe or Candy"
Syringe-Based Billboards
Dove's Injectable Billboard Addresses Toxic Beauty Standards
Gen X Candy Campaigns
Klondike's Bar-cade Campaign Engages Gen X Consumers
Trans Kidney Health Ads
Africa Creative's Ad Sheds Light on Trans Community's Kidney Health Burden
Sweat Fleece Sporty Campaigns
Nike's Don’t Sweat the Tech-nique Campaign Readies for Fall 2023
Horror Film-Themed Apparel Collections
WACKO MARIA Launches The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Apparel
Record-Breaking AR Mirrors
Maybelline New York & FFFACE.ME Debuted a Large Interactive Experience
Empowering Fashion Films
Victoria's Secret World Tour Reimagines the Iconic Show as a Feature Film
Wasteful Shopping Billboards
Not On The High Street's Billboards Highlight a "Don't Gift Guide"
Peaceful Holiday Ads
IKEA's Take A Holiday From The Holidays Reminds People to Find Calm
Villainous Board Game Campaigns
The Monopoly All is Fair Campaign Leans into Competition
AI Horror Film Festivals
A.I.RHEADS SCAREFEST Shares Short Films Made with Artificial Intelligence
Sustainable QSR Litter Adverts
McDonald's Malta Presents New Captivating Eco-Centric Campaigns
Ketchup Obsession Campaigns
'It Has to Be Heinz' Spotlights Fans' Intense Love of Heinz Products
Faceless Mother Campaigns
Peanut's Invisible Mothers Visualizes the Solitude Women Experience
Shoppable Luxury Fashion Films
Tom Ford Allows Consumers to Seamlessly Shop Its Spring 2024 RTW
Candid Celebration Campaigns
Edible's "There's an edible for That" Celebrates Even Awkward Moments
Artistic Multi-Beverage Ads
The Coca-Cola Family is Spotlighted in this Unique Ad
Influencer Snack Bar Campaigns
Nature Valley Launches a Social-Oriented Digital Marketing Campaign
Spooky Seasonal Soda Promotions
This Fanta Halloween Promotion Offers the Biggest Rewards Yet
Quickly Accessible Health Information
YouTube's Announced First Aid Information Shelves
Conversational Campaign Creators
Creating Google Ads Campaigns is Simpler with AI Chat Features
Shoppable Luxury Fashion Films
Louis Vuitton Delivers Resort 2024 with an Interactive Experience
Wasteful Fashion Campaigns
Vestiaire Collective Reminded People to Shop Mindfully on Black Friday
Recycled Ad Campaigns
Mars is Reusing Fan-Favorite Ads to Bring Attention to Climate Change
Empowering Car Ads
CarMax's New Ad Campaign Takes a Witty Approach
Blockbuster Shopping Campaigns
Walmart Reunited the Mean Girls Cast for Its Black Friday Ads
QSR Food-Inspired Door Designs
McDonald's France Launches a New Digital Campaign of Door Visuals
Gaming Ads-Inspired Video Games
D3 Publisher and Monkeycraft Present the Ironic Those Games
Reality-Bending Car Ads
CarGurus Ad Features Melting Lego and Gourmet Chef Toddlers
Human Candle Campaigns
These Human Statues of Candle Wax Bring Attention to Youth Burnout
Personality-Inspired Drink Packaging
Tetra Pak's Smart Packaging Leads Fans to a Personality Test
Spooky Street Ad Experiences
These Fanta Halloween Projections Took Over a Busy Stockholm Street
Nostalgic Shopping Ads
The Rakuten Big Game Campaign Revives Alicia Silverstone as Cher Horowitz
Human-Like AI Marketing Avatars
Studio Neiro Helps Scale Marketing With Engaging AI Videos
Novela-Inspired Liqueur Ads
Kahlúa's Spots Bring Excitement to Everyday Occasions
Horror-Themed QSR Short Films
The Jack In The Box 'Feeding Time' Short Film Offers Free Food
AI Email Marketing Campaigns
Emotsy Creates Personalized Campaigns for Stronger Digital Connection
Hyper-Local Gym Ads
GymBox's Made for London Life Ads Juxtapose City Living and Gym-Going
Flame-Grilled Billboards
This Fiery Billboard Promotes the Flame Grilled Whopper-Flavored Doritos
Vibrant Retro Transport Campaigns
VCCP Creates Public Transport Safety Campaigns for the TFL
Digital Audio-Visual Exhibitions
'Future Shock' by 180 Studios and FACT Magazine is Online
Hilarious Fandom Cheese Campaigns
Beecher’s Handmade Cheese Launches First-Ever Paid Ad Campaign
Gen Z Advertising Tools
YouTube Launches a New Music Tool to Connect Advertisers with Gen Z
Personalized Grocery Billboard Campaigns
Tesco Ireland Gets a New Live-Prompt Campaign
Rewritten Christmas Song Ads
Burger King UK's Hijacking Christmas Will Guide You to the Drive Thru
Gruesome Horror Film Soaps
The Terrifier Blood & Bubbles Soap is Officially Licensed
Offline Shopping Campaigns
'Shop Offline' Helps People Rediscover the Joy of Real-World Shopping
Promotional Influencer Videos
Activision Recruits Multiple Creators to Appeal to Gen Z Consumers
Branded Pregnancy Scans
Marmite is Inviting Parents to Discover the Nature of Their Unborn Child
Haunted Winchester Houses
Spirit Halloween Carves Out a Week of Surprises Ahead of Spooky Season
Spooky Personal Care Products
The Bath & Body Works Halloween Collection Has Almost 100 Items
Creature-Themed Graphic T-Shirts
Mr Jones Watches Debuts its First Line of Unisex T-Shirts
Review-Based Marketing Campaigns
These Amazon Campaigns Bring Real Reviews To Life
Snacking Mishap Campaigns
The Other Hand by Cheetos Shows Snackers Who Refuse to Put the Bag Down
Plant-Based QSR Campaigns
Burger King's Confusing Times Campaign is Made with DAVID Madrid
Halloween-Inspired Retail Capsules
Target Debuts a New Private-Label Halloween Capsule for October
Spooky Beer Challenges
For Halloween, Samuel Adams is Tapping into the Fear of an Empty Beer Glass
AI-Powered Video Advertisements
YouTube is Utilizing AI to Enhance its Advertising Approaches
Happiness-Prioritizing QSR Campaigns
Dave & Buster's Launches the 'Adult Unlearn' Summer Campaign
National Trafficking Awareness Ads
The See the Trafficking Signs Campaign Aims to Raise Awareness
Wasp Perspective Beauty Campaigns
Boots Launches its Perfectly Imperfect Campaign Video
Subtle Marketing Pop-Ups
FOMO Nudge Encourages Users to Buy with Subtle Pop-Ups
Grocery Store Ad Spots
Morrisons, the UK Supermarket Chain, Celebrates Its Low Pricing in This Ad
Haunting Tech Safety PSAs
The Canadian Centre for Child Protection Releases 'The Horse'
Secure Firearm Campagins
The Ad Council, Brady, and Densu Unveil the Safe Stories Campaign
Celebratory Claymation Fashions
The the Nightmare Before Christmas Collection is at Hot Topic
Parent-Focused TV Campaigns
NatureFresh's TV Campaign Explores How Active Parenting Benefits Kids