# Shockvertising Does It Work? Jury Still Out By Going Like Sixty | Published 2008-03-02 | Unique Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shockvertising-more-lurid-than-ever-does-it-work-jury-still-out References: [newsweek](http://www.newsweek.com/id/114737?from=rss) Can displaying a shocking, disturbing image be worth it to the public good? Shockvertising is reaching new highs, or lows, depending on your opinion. Industry experts say [public-service ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/underpaid-women) are becoming more shocking than ever. The gallery includes a series of images from PSAs that have evoked a lot of debate and controversial opinion, like the ads against [drinking and driving](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sandy-hook-promise). Trendhunter.com readers may remember the post below which featured an image of a little girl's face on a woman's body, an ad to bring awareness to statutory rape. AdRants said it was like a "sledgehammer to the face." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.7/10 - Popularity: 98% | Activity: 94% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Unique](https://www.trendhunter.com/unique) > [Bizarre](https://www.trendhunter.com/bizarre) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Shocking Public Service Ads:** Opportunities for disruptive innovation in creating impactful and controversial advertisements that capture public attention and promote social causes. - **Debating Shockvertising:** Opportunities for disruptive innovation in exploring the effectiveness and ethical implications of using shocking and disturbing images in advertising campaigns. - **Controversial Awareness Campaigns:** Opportunities for disruptive innovation in designing thought-provoking campaigns that spark debate and shift societal perspectives on social issues. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Advertising:** Opportunities for disruptive innovation within the advertising industry by pushing boundaries and leveraging shockvertising techniques to capture audience attention and create impactful campaigns. - **Public Service:** Opportunities for disruptive innovation within the public service sector through the creation of shockvertising campaigns that effectively convey important messages and drive behavioral change. - **Social Impact:** Opportunities for disruptive innovation in the social impact space by using shockvertising as a means to raise awareness, challenge societal norms, and drive meaningful change. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Distorted Burger Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ailloween.md) - [Creative Ad Responses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kiehls-response.md) - [Marketer-Targeted Cereal Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/out-of-home-campaign.md) - [Mock Social Good Fashion Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/not-models-own.md) - [Fly-Attracting Seltzer Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/truly-hard-seltzer-ad.md) - [Mental Health-Supporting Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-last-photo.md) - [Vibrant Retro Transport Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/public-transport-safety.md) - [National Trafficking Awareness Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/see-the-trafficking-signs.md) - [Car Safety-Promoting PSAs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/never-happens-campaign.md)