# Controversial TV Campaign George Bush is American Psycho By Ayman | Published 2008-03-14 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/campaign-american-psycho References: [arabaquarius.blogspot](http://arabaquarius.blogspot.com/2008/03/american-psycho.html) [Saatchi & Saatchi](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snapper-the-perfect-tree), New Zealand has created a [controversial campaign](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mwcurated) to promote the **TVNZ** premiere of the cult thriller, **American Psycho**. One of the ads show a close up on American President George W. Bush with a big and clear “American Psycho” printed under it. Another ad shows the American flag creatively created by using a dark blue tie with white dots representing the stars and red blood smeared on a white shirt representing the stripes. Art director of the ads was by Tim Howman with Mike O’Sullivan as an executive creative director. The original *Psycho* movie by Alfred Hitchcock continues to be an inspiration in our culture. Recently **Marion Cotillard** posed for Vanity Fair (see picture below) in a recreation of the infamous Hitchcock movie: ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.8/10 - Popularity: 92% | Activity: 74% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Media](https://www.trendhunter.com/media) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Controversial Advertising Campaigns:** Creating ads that push boundaries and cause controversy can get people talking and generate buzz around a product or brand. - **Cultural References in Advertising:** Drawing inspiration from classic films, iconic figures, and other cultural touchstones can make ads more memorable and impactful. - **Alternative Uses for Everyday Objects:** Using a tie as a symbol for the American flag and blood on a shirt as the stripes shows that creative and unconventional thinking can lead to standout advertising. ### Where This Applies - **Advertising:** As seen in this article, advertising agencies are constantly striving to come up with new and innovative ways to promote products and brands. - **Entertainment:** The American Psycho film and other cult thrillers are a part of the entertainment industry that can be marketed in creative and unconventional ways. - **Fashion:** As seen with the Vanity Fair photoshoot, fashion is often inspired by iconic cultural touchstones and can also be utilized in advertising campaigns. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Horror-Inspired Sports Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/scary-good-campaign.md) - [Distorted Burger Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ailloween.md) - [Horror-Themed Phone Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/join-the-flip-side.md) - [Creative Eerie-Themed Soccer Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/scary-good.md) - [Film-Inspired Condiment Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heinz-smiles.md) - [Nightmarish Mobile Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cellphone-bill.md) - [Mock Social Good Fashion Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/not-models-own.md) - [Creative Ad Responses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kiehls-response.md) - [Unpredictable Festive Ad Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/snowfall.md)