# Mystery-Solving Ads The Popular Mechanics Campaign Only Tackles Possible Puzzles By Luisa Amanda Gomes | Published 2010-07-09 | Updated 2010-07-12 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/popular-mechanics-campaign References: [adsoftheworld](http://adsoftheworld.com/media/print/popular_mechanics_ladies) & [popularmechanics](http://www.popularmechanics.com/) This Popular Mechanics campaign will definitely bring you a smile. Devised by Volcano Advertising of Bryanston, South Africa, this series of ads pokes fun at the magazine’s ability to almost explain anything -- except for the most perplexing conundrums known to mankind. For instance, Popular Mechanics magazine cannot explain universal mysteries like why the line to the women's restroom is always longer than that of the men's restroom, or why food that is dropped always lands face down. The tag line reads, "Almost everything explained." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.9/10 - Popularity: 38% | Activity: 42% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Media](https://www.trendhunter.com/media) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Humor in Advertising:** Creating humorous ads that poke fun at the limitations of a product or service. - **Mystery-solving Content:** Offering content or products that provide solutions to unusual or difficult problems. - **Curiosity-driven Marketing:** Designing ad campaigns that harness the power of curiosity to attract people's attention. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Publishing:** Magazines, newspapers and other publishers can create humorous content that highlights their ability to explain complex topics. - **Advertising:** Advertising agencies can create funny and memorable campaigns that capture the essence of their clients' brands, while highlighting their limitations. - **Market Research:** Marketing research firms can help companies identify gaps in the market - such as perplexing conundrums - and develop targeted campaigns to meet those needs in a creative and effective way. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [House Party-Themed Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hiders-keepers.md) - [Humorous Menswear Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mens-wearhouse.md) - [Humorous Natural Deodorant Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/every-man-jack-still-smell-good.md) - [Humorous Mens Fragrance Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/axe-campaign.md) - [Interactive Scented Billboard Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lola-mullenlowe.md) - [Humorous Automotive Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/where-have-you-been.md) - [No-Nonsense Grooming Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rock-face-makes-scents-campaign.md) - [Ad Inspiration Archives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nobody-reads-ads.md) - [Mystery-Style Holiday Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sweet-suspicion.md)