Brand Message-Distorting Ads

The 'Ads of the Wrong' Change the Message of Iconic Brands

Taking the main slogans of iconic brands such as Nike, Ray-Ban and Guinness, the creators of the Tumblr site 'Ads of the Wrong' turn the messages right on their heads with some of these hilarious and shocking adaptations.

By transposing the background images used on ads, while keeping the iconic brand names and slogans, 'Ads of the Wrong' manages to convey a re-interpreted version of events that are either more morbid, surprising or comical. In one ad, which is a take on Ray-Ban's "Never Hide" slogan, a man wearing a sleeveless jacket a bow tie, presumably at a party, is seen urinating into the pool with a slight glimmer of conviviality flashing from the side of his face.

In another, Manchester United and England star Wayne Rooney, pictured with red paint emblazoned across his arms and chest in the image of St George's Cross for an original Nike campaign, instead has the brand "Tampax" -- or the tampon company -- printed in the right-hand corner.

Brand Message Distortion
Exploring the trend of distorting brand messages in advertisements to create humorous or shocking adaptations.
Reinterpreting Iconic Slogans
The trend of transposing background images in ads while keeping famous brand slogans to convey alternative versions of events.
Morbid, Surprising, and Comical Ads
The trend of creating advertisements that are either dark, unexpected, or humorous by altering iconic brand visuals and slogans.

Who This Affects Most

Advertising
Disruptive innovation opportunities lie in developing innovative ways to distort brand messages and create attention-grabbing advertisements.
Marketing
Opportunities for disruptive innovation arise in reimagining iconic brand slogans and visuals to capture consumer attention and evoke emotions.
Creative Design
Disruption can occur by exploring unconventional approaches to advertising where iconic brand messages are twisted to deliver unexpected and memorable ad campaigns.
SCORE
6.7 out of 10
GENDER
50% Men50% Women
MARKETTop markets: North America, Europe
GENERATION
  • Gen Z
  • Gen Alpha
  • Millennial (primary audience)
  • Gen X (primary audience)
POPULARITY
Popularity 97%
Activity 96%
Freshness 8%