# Blunt Branding The topic of transparency comes to a head as brands utilize harsh approaches. By [Michael Hemsworth](https://www.trendhunter.com/Michael.Hemsworth), Contributing Researcher | Published May 28, 2014 | Category: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/business-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/blunt-branding ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.9/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Blunt Branding trend? **Blunt Branding:** Marketing has traditionally consisted of illustrating a scene and offering a solution, but as consumers grow weary of being sold, brands are turning to blunt means of selling. Instead of skirting around uses, marketing is directly telling consumers what to do, which speaks to the degrading nature of traditional advertising in an Internet-heavy market. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: May 28, 2013 to May 22, 2014 - Published: May 28, 2014 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/simplicity), [Authenticity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/authenticity), [Many to Many](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/many-to-many) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Themes within the Blunt Branding trend ### Blunt Marketing Marketing that directly tells consumers what to do is becoming a trend as consumers grow weary of being sold indirectly. ### Honest and Clear Packaging Brands are using clear and honest packaging to deliver consumer goods that are trustworthy. ### Consumption-Encouraging Branding Direct branding and packaging that makes products stand out from the competition is on the rise. ## What the Blunt Branding trend means for industry ### For Consumer Goods Consumer goods industry professionals can benefit from exploring honest packaging and direct advertising as a way to build consumer trust. ### For Luxury Goods Luxury goods industry professionals can explore blunt marketing strategies as a way to differentiate their products and appeal to a specific demographic. ### For Food and Beverage Industry Food and beverage professionals can utilize blunt branding to encourage consumption of healthy products. ## Trend signals for Blunt Branding Trend score 4.9 out of 10, from popularity 62%, activity 76%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 62% - Activity: 76% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Blunt Branding trend 5 featured examples from May 28, 2013 to May 22, 2014. - [Bluntly Branded Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hnina-packaging): Hnina Packaging Boldly States What the Consumer Wants to See (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The trend of using bold type and natural materials in packaging design can be applied to various food and beverage products to highlight their health benefits and appeal to health… - [Water Packaged Watches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/festina-profundo): The Festina Profundo Diving Watches are Sold in Bags of Water (Category: Tech) Implication: The consumer goods industry can utilize transparent packaging to build trust with customers by offering a clear view of the product's quality and features. - [Consumption-Encouraging Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tasteit): TASTEit Uses Blunt Branding for Promotion (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunity for food and beverage brands to explore bold and direct branding strategies to attract consumers. - [Blunt Bacon Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/danepak): Rachel Brown Updates the Danepak Packaging Design (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunity to revolutionize food packaging by creating designs that challenge conventional branding methods. - [Bluntly Branded Coffee](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/strong-coffee): F*cking Strong Coffee Boasts Exactly What it is (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The packaging industry can capitalize on the trend of bold and provocative designs to create disruptive packaging solutions that stand out on store shelves and attract consumers. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Conversion](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ai-assisted-checkout) (Business) - [Occasion Commerce](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/occasion-commerce) (Business) - [Autonomous Merchandising](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/autonomous-merchandising) (Business) - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Business - [Performance-Based Creator Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creator-ad-platforms) - [MIami Pop-Culture Shirts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miami-pop-culture-shirts) - [Natural Deodorant Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/target-beauty-studios) - [Mini Beauty Stores](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/little-luxuries-store) All articles: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business)