# Shocktivism Activists take a more militant stance through provocative marketing strategies. By [Tiana Reid](https://www.trendhunter.com/tiana) | Published Jul 29, 2010 | Category: [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/environmental-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/shocktivism-activists-take-a-more-militant-stance-through-provocative-marke ## Key Figures - Trend score: 6.0/10 - Evidence articles: 11 ## What is the Shocktivism trend? **Shocktivism:** Activists are viewing marketing as less of a fringe activity and more of a necessity, competing for a piece of the marketing pie where they can. Using shock tactics that raise eyebrows, social organizations are behaving more and more like marketers—only with a different message. Consumers--those who crave social change as well as those who don’t--can’t help but absorb and respond to this provocative activism. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 11 featured examples - Articles from: Apr 28 to Jul 6, 2010 - Published: Jul 29, 2010 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Multisensation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/multisensation), [Authenticity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/authenticity) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Shocktivism trend ### Shocktivism Activists use provocative marketing strategies to compete for a piece of the marketing pie. ### Desensitization Marketing Consumers are drawn to advertisements which contain shocking graphic imagery and that are memorable. ### Charitable Body Modification People are willing to undergo extreme physical change for a cause they believe in. ## What the Shocktivism trend means for industry ### For Marketing Marketing professionals can take inspiration from activists' use of provocative strategies. ### For Charity Charities can inspire people to undergo extreme physical changes such as body modifications for their cause. ### For Environmentalism Companies can keep in mind the urgency of environmental messaging and the effectiveness of graphic and disturbing imagery when devising marketing strategies. ## Trend signals for Shocktivism Trend score 6.0 out of 10, from popularity 83%, activity 89%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 83% - Activity: 89% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Shocktivism trend 11 featured examples from Apr 28 to Jul 6, 2010. - [Charitable Body Modifications](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aryan-hopkins): Aryan Hopkins Gets 1,091 Piercings for the Shriners Hospital for Chi (Category: Social Good) Implication: Discovering potential opportunities for collaboration between healthcare organizations and extreme fundraisers to raise funds for medical institutions. - [Riot Photography](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/g20-toronto-riots): Crowdsourced Photography Becomes Go-To for G20 Riots in Toronto (Category: World) Implication: The changing landscape of journalism calls for new business models that leverage crowdsourcing and user-generated content to deliver news. - [Social Awareness Greetings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bp-oil-spill-greeting-cards-by-engreet): The BP Oil Spill Greeting Cards by enGreet are Satirical and Charitable (Category: Eco) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introduce innovative concepts and designs in greeting cards that resonate with modern consumers. - [Ignorance-Themed Activism](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/amnesty-international-ignore-us): Amnesty International 'Ignore Us' Print Campaign is Provocative (Category: Social Good) Implication: Using innovative tactics to promote activism around human rights issues. - [Graffitied Endangered Species](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wwf-campaign): The WWF Campaign Tags the Environment for Awareness (Category: Eco) Implication: The art and design industry can embrace graffiti as a form of expression and use it to create awareness campaigns. - [Toxic Animal Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wwf-evollution-campaign): The WWF Evollution Campaign Looks to Send a Clear Message (Category: Eco) Implication: Opportunity for disruptive innovation in the advertising industry to create impactful and controversial campaigns. - [Gory Toy Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/caritas-ad-campaign): The Caritas Ad Campaign Warns Parents of Violent Playthings (Category: Social Good) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporate advanced sensor technology or smart algorithms into children's toys to detect and prevent the presence of violent or inappropriate c… - [Sinister Anti-Smoking Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smoking-kill-by-khalil-damak): 'Smoking Kill' by Khalil Damak Shows the Dangerous Cycle (Category: Marketing) Implication: Opportunity for advertising agencies to create compelling anti-smoking campaigns that utilize graphic imagery to evoke emotional responses from viewers. - [Heat-Packing Mothers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moms-with-guns-amber-alert-psa): Moms with Guns Amber Alert PSA Makes a Brave Statement (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Gun manufacturers can capitalize on the shift towards alternative safety measures by developing new and innovative products. - [Flash Mob Activism](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/swiss-flashmobs): Swiss Flashmobs Demonstrate Possibilities of Nuclear Plant Meltdown (Category: Eco) Implication: The anti-nuclear flash mob trend creates an industry opportunity for renewable energy technologies and solutions. - [Gay Rights Stunts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pink-dot-2010): 4,000 Singapore GLBT Supporters Show Up at Pink Dot 2010 (Category: Social Good) Implication: Hotels and travel agencies can provide inclusive packages and accommodation options for LGBT travelers. ## Recent trend clusters - [Polarized Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/polarized-marketing) (Marketing) - [Seasonal Storytelling](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/seasonal-storytelling) (Fashion) - [Ritual Sampling](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/holiday-discovery-boxes) (Business) - [Palatable Science](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/toothpaste-ingredient-innovation) (Fashion) ## Trending in Eco - [Off-Road Electric E-Bikes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/off-road-electric-e-bikes) - [Compostable Coffee Pucks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compostable-coffee-pucks) - [Roomier Budget Electric Hatchbacks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/roomier-budget-electric-hatchbacks) - [Compact Electric Family MPVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compact-electric-family-mpvs) All articles: [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco)