Category
Lifestyle
Assisted Choices
Trend cluster
Category
Bluntvertising
Advertisers create transparency with brutally honest ads and messages.
3.9
Trend score
Trend
What is the Bluntvertising trend?
Bluntvertising: Consumers today know false advertising when they see it. Because they’re not bought by superlative statements and ambiguous promises, brands and advertisers are going in the opposite direction with brutally honest advertising. Parodies that poke fun at the truths behind major brands are also grabbing attention by pointing out ironic realities about today’s most popular companies. In today’s brand- and ad-saturated world, honesty may be the best policy.
Trend themes
Themes within the Bluntvertising trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Brutally Honest Advertising
Brands and advertisers are using brutally honest advertising, as consumers today know false advertising when they see it.
02
Intoxicatingly Honest Campaigns
Some brands are advocating for responsible drinking in their campaigns instead of using the physical consequence-related ads.
03
Ironic Emblems
The Honest Logo Series brilliantly showcases ironic creativity that reveals the true content of companies' logos.
Industry implications
What the Bluntvertising trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Marketing and Advertising
The trends in brutally honest advertising and intoxicatingly honest campaigns will undoubtedly influence the marketing and advertising industry.
For
Graphic Design
Graphic designers can learn a great deal from the ironic creativity techniques used in the Honest Logos series.
For
Entertainment
Illustrators, filmmakers, and other creative personnel in the entertainment industry can take a cue from the Conspicuous Product Placement series to integrate branding into their works.
Trend signals
Trend signals for Bluntvertising
Trend score 3.9 out of 10, from popularity 65%, activity 46%, freshness 8%.
Popularity65%
Activity46%
Freshness8%
Audience
70%Men
30%Women
- Gen Alpha (not a primary audience)
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X (not a primary audience)
- Boomer (not a primary audience)
Market
North America
Europe
Evidence
Examples of the Bluntvertising trend
5 featured examples from Jan 8 to Apr 25, 2011CategoryPop Culture
Ironic Emblems
The Honest Logos Series Sheds Light on Popular Companies
The trend of reworking logos creates new opportunities for graphic designers to showcase their creativity and help brands communicate a more authentic identity.
CategoryPop Culture
Blatant Film Branding
The 'Conspicuous Product Placement' Series Pokes Fun at Advertising
Finding creative ways to incorporate brands into movies can open up revenue streams and create new partnership opportunities.
CategoryMarketing
Intoxicatingly Honest Campaigns
The Corona Beer 2011 Ads Advocate Responsible Drinking
The alcohol industry can leverage these trends to promote responsible drinking and build stronger connections with consumers.
CategoryPop Culture
Blunt Recruitment Ads
'Welcome to Our Reality' Pokes Fun at American Military Ads
Exploring new ways of recruiting and attracting talent by defying conventional marketing tactics through humor and authenticity.
CategoryPop Culture
Brutally Honest Ads
Rhett and Link's ‘Mobile Homes' Commercial Redefines Brevity
The transparent and brief nature of Rhett and Link's commercial presents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the advertising industry.
