In the advertising world, the key issue is always to create impressions. Ad campaigns are measured based on impressions – can the user recall it (especially after being exposed to hundreds of advertisements a day), what are their impressions of it (favorable?), etc. And so marketers and advertisers had to stretch their imaginations to create ads that last, that stick. Sometimes it involves shock tactics, like the two above.
Personally I think those have gone too far. While the cause is worthy, and the technical execution great, it just left distaste in my mind. For me, if you want to give people a surprise (especially when you’re on their property – like on their cars), it’d better be a pleasant one. Some time back in Singapore, some creative advertising agencies placed stickers that look like sratches on car doors too – advertising for a car grooming company – as some of the comments reflected: advertising should be creative, but it must also go down well with the potential client.
What do you think?
