# Banned Award-Winning Ads Two Pulled Diesel "Be Stupid" Ads Cause a Big Fuss By Ryan Hinkson | Published 2010-07-03 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/banned-diesel-be-stupid-ads References: [adweek.blogs](http://adweek.blogs.com/adfreak/2010/07/diesels-be-stupid-work-too-stupid-for-uk.html) & [dailymail](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1290749/Diesel-posters-showing-women-flashing-banned-promoting-anti-social-behaviour.html) You probably have seen some of the [Diesel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/humansized-egg-installation) 'Be Stupid' ads here on Trend Hunter before; now two banned Diesel 'Be Stupid' ads are causing quite the fuss. The award-winning banned Diesel 'Be Stupid' ads are definitely their most controversial. Both are captioned "Smart may have the brains but stupid has the balls!" One features a young lady on a ladder flashing a security camera, while the other features a bikini-clad woman photographing the inside of her bikini bottom. Apparently the marketing minds at Diesel are the smart ones. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.7/10 - Popularity: 94% | Activity: 99% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen X - Top markets: Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Hip Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/hipfashion) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Controversial Advertising:** Marketers can push boundaries and generate buzz by creating provocative ads that spur conversation and debate. - **Shock Value Marketing:** Brands can leverage provocative content to attract attention and drive social media engagement to develop customer loyalty - **Risk-taking Marketing:** Brands that are willing to take risks can create disruptive messaging that resonates with customers and helps to differentiate from competitors. ### Who This Affects Most - **Advertising:** Marketers can consider using controversial and provocative ads to generate buzz and foster conversation around products and services. - **Fashion:** Fashion brands can leverage provocative and edgy content to attract attention, engage audiences, and increase brand loyalty. - **Retail:** Retailers can create ad campaigns that challenge conventional thinking to develop deep connections with customers and drive repeat business. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Creative Ad Responses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kiehls-response.md) - [Urban Egg Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/humansized-egg-installation.md) - [Humorous Mens Fragrance Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/axe-campaign.md) - [Fashionable Sexual Wellness Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lelo-diesel.md) - [Provocative Guerrilla Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mwcurated.md) - [High-Concept Brand Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/legitimate-you.md) - [Innovative Outdoor Advertising Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/outdoor-advertising-campaign.md) - [Syringe-Based Billboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/injectable-billboard.md) - [Cheeky Electric Vehicles Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/koda-hijacks-competitors.md)