Mark Sanford, the former governor of South Carolina, has had his share of issues with scandal in his personal life. Ashley Madison doesn't get political unless there's a romance scandal to exploit, so in its best interest, they jumped all over Mark Sanford and his current political situation.
Ashley Madison is a discreet dating site for married or partnered men and women to hook up. They have created a slightly inappropriate yet very effective advertising billboard that has used the former governor's situation to promote the benefits of using the site. The clever billboard in his home state of South Carolina that says, "Next time use AshleyMadison.com to find your running mate."
Although this is putting the politician in a really tough spot, the billboard is a great example of extremely clever advertising that will not only grab the attention of passers by but millions with the free online publicity the piece receives.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Controversial Advertising
- Opportunity for businesses to use controversial and provocative advertising to generate buzz and free publicity.
- Discreet Dating Sites
- Opportunity for growth in discreet dating site industry catering to married or partnered men and women.
- Political Scandal Exploitation
- Opportunity for businesses to capitalize on political scandals for marketing purposes and increased brand visibility.
Sectors Adopting This
- Out-of-home Advertising
- Opportunity for innovation in out-of-home advertising, particularly in the use of provocative and controversial messaging to generate buzz.
- Online Dating
- Opportunity for innovation in the online dating industry by catering to married or partnered men and women seeking discreet relationships.
- Marketing and Advertising
- Opportunity for marketing and advertising firms to use political scandals as an avenue for creativity and increased brand exposure.
