# Macabre Marketing Morbid advertisements illustrate a turn toward more shocking media techniques. By [Tana Makmanee](https://www.trendhunter.com/tmak), SVP, Research Services at Trend Hunter | Published Jan 22, 2014, updated Feb 3, 2014 | Category: [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/marketing-strategy) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/macabre-marketing ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.7/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Macabre Marketing trend? **Macabre Marketing:** With violence in movies and television becoming the norm, viewers are becoming increasingly immune to explicit imagery. Aiming to incite more of an emotional response from viewers, brands seek to utilize violent themes to create shock value in their ads. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Mar 1 to Dec 7, 2013 - Published: Jan 22, 2014 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Multisensation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/multisensation), [Curation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/curation), [Prosumerism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/prosumerism) ## Audience - Gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Macabre Marketing trend ### Shock Advertising Ad campaigns using shock value and violence to create an emotional response from viewers. ### Macabre Humor Using dark and twisted humor to appeal to audiences. ### Morbid Curiosity People's increasing fascination with horror and the macabre. ## What the Macabre Marketing trend means for industry ### For Advertising The advertising industry can use shock value and dark humor to create memorable campaigns. ### For Entertainment The entertainment industry can capitalize on people's fascination with horror and the macabre in TV shows, movies, and literature. ### For Retail Retailers can use horror and the macabre to create unique and eye-catching product designs and packaging. ## Trend signals for Macabre Marketing Trend score 4.7 out of 10, from popularity 65%, activity 68%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 65% - Activity: 68% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Macabre Marketing trend 6 featured examples from Mar 1 to Dec 7, 2013. - [Desecrated Logo Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ola-poder-activo): A Campaign for OLA Poder Activo Shows Logos Being Killed (Category: Marketing) Implication: The creative use of shocking and provocative imagery in advertising campaigns presents new opportunities for brands to engage with their audience. - [Twisted Disney Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/13th-street-horror-channel): The '13th Street Horror Channel' Ads Kill Off Cinderella and Snow White (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: The entertainment industry can utilize twisted or darker versions of classic content to attract viewers looking for something fresh and unique. - [Human Helmet Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thai-health-promotion-foundation): The Thai Health Promotion Foundation Campaign is Gorily Scalped (Category: Autos) Implication: Opportunities for ad agencies to create disruptive and attention-grabbing campaigns like these for various products and services. - [Traumatized Typography Texting Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mini-word-blocker-app): The MINI Word Blocker App Campaign Promotes Safe Driving (Category: Autos) Implication: The automotive industry can capitalize on the trend of safe driving apps by integrating such features into their vehicle systems or partnering with app developers to provide safer… - [Bird-Infested Organ Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/organ-ads): A Campaign Against Histoplasmosis has Birds Nesting on Organ Branches (Category: Marketing) Implication: The advertising industry can explore innovative ways of raising awareness about health issues through eye-catching and thought-provoking campaigns. - [Macabre Gingerbread Men Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fangoria-magazine-holiday-2013): The Fangoria Magazine Holiday 2013 Campaign is Deliciously Disturbing (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Opportunity for horror and genre-based magazine publishers to capitalize on the Halloween and holiday season to increase subscriptions and reader engagement. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Marketing - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Nostalgic Beauty Mascots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bliss-girl-series) - [Athlete Beauty Ambassadorships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/athlete-beauty-ambassadorships) All articles: [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing)