# Murder News Reports as Promotion Controversial Ashanti Video & eCard By Ayman | Published 2008-06-12 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/controversial-ashanti-video-ecard References: [adrants](http://www.adrants.com/2008/06/ashanti-copies-dexter-with-news-story.php) & [ballerstatus](http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/news/2008/06/4869/) Singer **Ashanti** has sparked outrage and protest with a [promotional e-card](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creatacard-greetings) featuring a fake news report about a *murder spree* inspired by the bloody music video for the single "The Way That I Love You" from her new album, *The Declaration*. Making things worse, her official homepage links to the controversial promotion. In the music video, Ashanti portrays an angry lover who takes a bloody revenge on a cheating boyfriend by stabbing him to death. The clip features images of knives, blood-spattered walls, and bodies in the bathtub which are used in the e-card promotion. The card features a fake news headline from the UCN ([Universal Crime Network](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/candyman)) which reports that, "police are investigating a recent wave of violence in New Jersey. The police commissioner has hinted that there may be a tie between the recent attacks and the music video for Universal/Motown recording artist Ashanti's single 'The Way That I Love You.' " ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.3/10 - Popularity: 39% | Activity: 83% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Controversial Marketing Strategies:** The use of controversial marketing strategies to promote products can generate an emotion and reaction from the audience, which can lead to increased brand visibility and sales. - **Interactive Promotions:** Creating interactive promotions, like the fake news report and e-card used by Ashanti, can increase engagement with consumers and drive interest in the product. - **Use of Shock Value:** The use of shock value, such as incorporating violent or controversial themes, can make a product memorable and stand out in a crowded market. ### Who This Affects Most - **Music Industry:** The music industry can benefit from using provocative and controversial marketing techniques to promote their artists and albums. - **Entertainment Industry:** The entertainment industry as a whole can explore the potential of using controversial themes in their promotions to generate interest and engagement with their content. - **Media Industry:** The media industry can innovate by creating interactive and provocative news reports that generate interest and discussion in current events. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Viral Criminal Merchandise](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/i-can-fix-him.md) - [Anti-Gender Violence Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/antigender-violence-campaign.md) - [Holiday Diss Tracks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-rizzler.md) - [Educational Valentine's Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/language-of-love.md) - [Crime-Inspired Press-On Nails](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aprs-x-liquid-death.md) - [Horror Doll Makeup Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urban-decay-x-m3gan.md) - [Festive Digital Musician Greetings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creatacard-greetings.md) - [Gender-Based Violence Awareness Films](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/my-friend-max-hate.md) - [Rapper-Inspired Easter Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nova-starr.md)