These print ads were all banned and deemed offensive and too shocking for publication.
There are ads here for the following products: the Energizer Battery company in Chile, "Killer Heels" by NMA, the ‘Six Feet Under’ TV Series in the UK, Towers Anti-Smoking Campaign in China, the Breast Cancer Fund in the USA, and a barcode on ex-British PM Tony Blair by NO2ID in the UK.
The print ads were suppressed by government authorities or rejected by the clients themselves not because there is nudity and lewdness displayed, as is often the case, but because, for the most part, these ads are simply too morbid and gruesome.
For example, consider the ads for the Energizer Battery and the TV series ‘Six Feet Under,’ which are first and second in the gallery. I think most people will be simply horrified to look at these images of dead people because death is perhaps the biggest and most powerful taboo in Western society.
There is also the violent killer heel on the lead picture which glamorizes violence and death. The No More Smoking Sign is fine by me, but the authorities in China thought it was inappropriate.
The Tony Blair barcode ad was banned because, "...the barcode on Tony Blair’s upper lip made him resemble Hitler, which was offensive."
Finally, the cancer ad was rejected by Viacom "over fears that its depiction of mastectomy scars would prove to be too shocking to the public." Well, that’s the point. I wonder if Viacom would have reacted differently had the ad not featured a Victoria Secret-like model.
Banned Shockvertisements
Overly-Morbid Print Ads
Trend Themes
1. Banned Shockvertising - There is an opportunity for businesses that are willing to take risks and push the boundaries in their advertising to generate buzz and attention, but they must be careful not to cross the line into offensiveness.
2. Taboo Breaking Ads - Businesses who want to challenge societal taboos can use advertising to bring attention to their cause or product, but they must be aware of potential pushback from regulators and consumers.
3. Controversial Advertising - There is a growing trend for edgier and more controversial advertising, with some brands deliberately creating controversy to generate media attention and viral sharing.
Industry Implications
1. Advertising - The advertising industry must balance the need to create impactful and memorable ads with the risk of offending and alienating consumers or being banned by regulators.
2. Media - Media companies must navigate the tricky balance between airing controversial ads that generate attention and pushing the limits of good taste or societal norms.
3. Fashion - Fashion brands can use edgy or provocative advertising to differentiate themselves from competitors and create a distinct brand image, but they must be careful not to cross into offensiveness or harm their brand reputation.