30 Terrifying PSAs

Raising Awareness, From Bleeding Billboards to Shocking Skinned Polar Bears

— May 2, 2010 — Social Good
These terrifying PSAs prove that fear, like shock, is an excellent way to grab attention. The ad campaigns, viral videos, billboards, and interactive installations above are gory, heart-wrenching, and downright frightful, with imagery that won't be immediately forgotten.

From domestic abuse to child trafficking, the environment, and drug use, the terrifying PSAs below are sure to scare you straight.

Implications - Shock factor is a tactic used by marketers to deliver a message that has upsetting topics. Through unique campaigns that evoke emotions within the viewers, advertisers capitalize on those feelings. Additionally, the more shocking the advertisement is, the more likely it will resonate in the audiences' minds, making the idea of terrifying the audience a useful tactic.
6.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
30
Terrifying Rainfall PSAs
Terrifying Rainfall PSAs
The Solidarite Water Billboard Will Shock You
<
29
Overzealous PSAs
Overzealous PSAs
1979 Swine Flu PSA Evokes Laughter Instead of Fear
<
28
Shocking POV PSAs
Shocking POV PSAs
'Animal Visuals' Gives You a Bird's Eye View Into Egg Industry
<
27
Eco Shockvertising
Eco Shockvertising
Moms Against Climate Change Tug at Heartstrings
<
26
Hygienic Shockvertising II
Hygienic Shockvertising II
Carre Fresh: Wipe Whatever You've Touched
<
25
Drug Addicts As Animals
Drug Addicts As Animals
Spoof Wildlife Doc as Viral Anti-Drug Ad
<
24
Suicidal Anti-Smoking PSAs
Suicidal Anti-Smoking PSAs
Thought-Provoking Help Line Ad
<
23
Visceral Shockvertising
Visceral Shockvertising
The Catalonian National Theatre's Heart-Rending Ad
<
22
Awareness  For Signs of Sexual Abuse
Awareness For Signs of Sexual Abuse
'Open Your Mouth' PSA
<
21
Reverse Psychology PSAs
Reverse Psychology PSAs
Don't Vote Campaign Shows Killer Oil Prices
<
20
Blood Spurting PSAs
Blood Spurting PSAs
The Bangalore Police Ad Campaign Targets Cell Phone Driving Enablers
<
19
Adults With Childhood Abuse
Adults With Childhood Abuse
ASCA PSAs Show the Need for Counseling
<
18
Women as Pieces of Meat
Women as Pieces of Meat
Urging Men to Speak Out on Domestic Abuse
<
17
Animal Cavities For Smuggling
Animal Cavities For Smuggling
Anti-Cocaine PSA Featuring Pablo the Drug Mule Dog
<
16
Skinned Polar Bears for Global Warming
Skinned Polar Bears for Global Warming
Visceral Friends of the Earth PSA
<
15
Bleeding Billboards
Bleeding Billboards
Shocking Approach to Promote Road Safety in New Zealand
<
14
Gruesome Shockvertising
Gruesome Shockvertising
A Texting While Driving PSA Shows Horrific Realism
<
13
Child Poverty Shockvertising
Child Poverty Shockvertising
The Barnardo Campaign Against Child Poverty Raises Eyebrows
<
12
Gory Workplace Safety Ads
Gory Workplace Safety Ads
Using Awful Accidents to Raise Awareness
<
11
Powerful PSAs
Powerful PSAs
Smoking is Murder
<
10
Abused Women as Dolls
Abused Women as Dolls
Dar Al Amal Public Awareness Ad
<
9
Freefalling Safe Sex Ads
Freefalling Safe Sex Ads
Use Condoms Campaign
<
8
Child Shockvertising in PSAs
Child Shockvertising in PSAs
Anti-Smoking Ads Feature Kids with Adult Hands Holding Cigs
<
7
Shockvertising Smokefree Campaign
Shockvertising Smokefree Campaign
NHS: Get Unhooked
<
6
Stomach-Churning Safety Ads
Stomach-Churning Safety Ads
Australian Worksafe PSA
<
5
Shockvertising
Shockvertising
Does It Work? Jury Still Out
<
4
Cattle Branding Kids
Cattle Branding Kids
Shocking Ads Portray Impact of Child Abuse
<
3
Visually Disturbing PSAs
Visually Disturbing PSAs
Juvenile Protective Association Ads Show Effect of Verbal Abuse
<
2
Powerful PSAs
Powerful PSAs
Sexual Abuse
<
1
Disturbing Anti-Drug Ads
Disturbing Anti-Drug Ads
Montana Meth Project
<