# Etched Hair Strands The Gillette Proglide Vies for the Guiness World Record for Smallest Ad Ever By Jamie Danielle Munro | Published 2011-06-12 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gillette-proglide References: [copyranter.blogspot](http://copyranter.blogspot.com/2011/06/alert-guinness-worlds-smallest-ever-ad.html) & [gillette](http://www.gillette.com/en/us/products/razors/proglide/fusion-proglide-power-razor.aspx) To promote the new [Gillette](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gilette-and-razer) Proglide blades, the ad agency CLM BBDO [France](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/burger-king-france-anti-bullying) came up with an ad that is now a contender for the Guinness Book of World Records. The ad is placed on a strand of hair, making it the [smallest advertisement ever made](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mini-media). To actually see what’s written on the Gillette Proglide hair, viewers need a microscope to read the fine print. Since all consumers do not carry microscopes around on a daily basis, the images were blown up and used for publicity. The hairs were then placed in men’s bathroom airports with a QR code so that people could obtain more content of these small creations. Gillette Proglide does an excellent job at making a record with this publicity stunt. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.3/10 - Popularity: 19% | Activity: 43% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Publicity Stunts](https://www.trendhunter.com/publicitystunts) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Microscopic Advertising Campaigns:** Brands can explore new ways of creating attention-grabbing ads with ultra-small sizes that require the use of certain specialized tools to read. - **QR Code Integration:** QR codes can be cleverly integrated into microscopic ads, allowing consumers to access more information about a product or service. - **Publicity Stunts:** Brands can generate buzz and media attention by creating groundbreaking advertising initiatives that push the limits of creativity. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Advertising and Marketing:** Agencies can create innovative ad campaigns that push the boundaries of what is possible, generating greater engagement and curiosity from consumers. - **Personal Care Products:** Companies operating in this industry can explore new ways of promoting their products using innovative advertising techniques that create a high level of engagement. - **Travel and Hospitality:** Brands operating in this industry can utilize creative advertising techniques like microscopic ads to standout in competitive spaces like airports, attracting more customers and boosting sales. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Honest Shaving Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/any-hair-anywhere.md) - [Travel-Friendly Micro-Sized Razors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/schick-hydro-silk-mini-razor.md) - [Creative Ad Responses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kiehls-response.md) - [Anthropomorphic Hair Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hair-ballad.md) - [Credit Card-Sized Shavers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zera-s.md) - [Sleek Snake-Adorned Razers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gilette-and-razer.md) - [Miniature Beer Bottles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/worlds-smallest-beer.md) - [Palm-Sized Shavers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/panasonic-palm-shaver.md) - [Ergonomic Earbud-Sized Shavers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yoose-alloy-mini.md)