Appealing to primal instincts through sexual stimuli
Implications - In Q3 of 2009, we pondered the death of sexploitation. Yet, while some have abandoned this primal marketing tactic, others are increasing the sex factor. The recession has spurred a desperate eagerness for consumer attention. As it's proven, sex continues to sell despite economic change, and exploiting sexuality guarantees viral attention.
Trend Themes
1. Increased Sex Factor in Marketing - Despite abandoning this primal marketing tactic by some companies, others are now using the increased sex factor in marketing campaigns to guarantee viral attention.
2. Sexploitation Ads and Shockingly Provocative Ads - The use of sex and sexual imagery in advertisements continues to provoke interest and intrigue, even when considered unethical. The arguably disruptive innovation opportunity is to come up with other creative ways to show ethical advertisements.
3. Racy and Sexualized Ad Campaigns - Advertisers are using sex and sexual imagery as controversial attention-grabbing techniques, most especially to sell wristwatches, detergents and other products. A disruptive innovation opportunity focuses on creating controversial ads with new, inventive twists.
Industry Implications
1. Advertising and Marketing - There is a new creative push towards more attention-grabbing and controversial advertising that draws on the use of sex and sexual imagery.
2. Entertainment - Racy marketing campaigns and promotional efforts aimed at provocation have given mainstream entertainment businesses an edgy, cutting edge.
3. Online Gaming - Companies are using controversial ad campaigns, often pertaining to sex, to sell their online gaming products; disruptive innovation opportunities might lie in creating different ad campaign angles.
