I really like the direction that the Reporters Without Borders 2011 ad campaign has taken. It illustrates just how dangerous censorship can be, in a way that is both unexpected and clever. Instead of focusing on the wrong it can do to the public and us average folk, these print ads actually center on the 'inappropriate' actions of our politicians.
Conceived and executed by Dubai-based ad agencies Memac and Ogilvy & Mather, the Reporters Without Borders 2011 ad campaign shows that censorship can often be misinterpreted. With the tagline, 'Censorship tells the wrong story,' the blurred-out images of David Cameron, Barack Obama, Hilary Clinton and Vladimir Putin are read as rather perverse when in fact they are completely innocent.
The Reporters Without Borders 2011 ad campaign was art directed by Leonardo Borges and Rafael Rizuto.
What's Driving This Trend
- Misinterpreted Advertising
- Ad campaigns that can be misconstrued by the public create opportunities for disruptive innovation in marketing by communicating complex messages.
- Politician Shaming
- Advertisements that shame high-ranking officials instead of focusing on the public prompt innovative approaches to advocating for changes in governance.
- Unexpected Messaging
- Using unexpected messaging in advertising can create disruptive innovation opportunities by capturing the audience's attention and leaving them curious.
Who This Affects Most
- Advertising
- Innovative approaches to advertising can leverage unexpected messaging and thought-provoking campaigns.
- Activism
- Advertising campaigns aimed at political activism can disrupt traditional methods and promote social change.
- Politics
- Innovative communication strategies in political campaigns can create disrupting forces and drive voter engagement.
