80 Controversial and Disturbing Print Ads

80 Controversial and Disturbing Print Ads

Let’s look at these advertisements objectively with an open and analytical mind and appreciate the creativity that went into it. One has to wonder how the creative directors and designers came up with these concepts. What was the thought process and rational behind their radical ideas? Was there prior censorship and surveying done in a control group before the decision to go ahead with the advert was made? No matter the response, such advertisements do exist and are on the rise. Does challenging the norm by being controversial and extreme payoff by leaving an impact or making an impression on viewers? This is an answer we’d love to find out.
Here are 80 controversial advertisements that challenge the boundaries of what is socially and morally acceptable with the use of dark humour and shock tactics. These print advertisements often use gore, vulgarity, sex, violence, and sometimes religion to promote their products or bring across the organisations’ message. These adverts either challenge social, political or moral propriety. That is why some of these advertisements are banned in certain countries. Although the use of such adverts can be effective, it is not for the faint of heart or small of mind. Not everyone can appreciate the beauty in such clever and deliberate ugliness.
Just liquid hand wash: Cockroaches

Ariel: Pervert

Amnesty International: Archery

AMAM - Association of Women Against Genital Mutilation: Plastic doll

Alka-Seltzer: New Year

Alac: Kitchen

Ace: Tarantula

A Bela Sintra: Foot

WWF: Blood

Amnesty International: Red Little Tender

Vergessen ist ansteckend: Tub

TMF: Army

Queer Travel.de

Superette: Elevator

AIDS Awareness Campaign: Gay

Stella Coffee Pot: Spider

SPID Advertising

Solid Paint: Cross

Skins: Defy Genetics

Shared Responsibility: Kidnapping

Semorin: Mustard

Save the Children: Child Labour

Sanctuary, Save the tiger: Binocular

RSPCA: Woman

Pedestrian Council of Australia: Family

Popeye Detergent Hipoalergenic: Hell raiser

Pastorini Toy Store

Oust: Everything has consequences

Nycomed: Agony

Cerveira Art Biennial: Botticelli

Pet flea & tick spot on: Haircut

MTV: Shot, Girl

Multiple Sclerosis Australia: Use By Dates

Masterlock: Hippes

Lung cancer awareness: One

Love Life Stop Aids: Space

Glassing Sunglasses: Kiss my glass

Ariel Plus: Ketchup

RSF: Ink

IndyAct: Bobcat

Workplace Safety Insurance Board: Sign

Colombian Association of Arterial Hypertension: Home

Humans for Animals: Seal

Gringo’s Tequila: El Matador Peligroso

Fur Free: Angry Fox

Findus Fraich'Frites

Foundation Abbé Pierre: The Lifeguard

Filigranes Bookstore: Las Vegas

Procter & Gamble / Febreze: Fly

Fashion Outlet Zurich: Cow

Family Network Foundation: Dad

Ramorama: Expose Yourself

Emirates Arthritis Foundation: Painful

Government of the State of Santa Catarina: Hamburger

Mettiamocilatesta.it

13th Street

Concordia Children’s Services: Piglets

E.N.P.A: Spray

Colin glass cleaner: Spider

NoButts.org Anti-Cigarette Butt Pollution Campaign: Catfish

Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers: England

Child Health Foundation: The Scream

Casa Do Menor: Hands

Casa & Perfume air freshener: Fish

Caribu Bitter: Poison

Caribu Bitter: Canari

Canex: Spaniel

Eagle Print Awards 2009: Cactus

NSW Health

Aware Helpline: Verbal abuse

Ashtraymouth: Roach girl

Vancouver Aquarium

YouthSPK

One Life Shower

Domestic Violence: Piece of meat

The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation

Good Parent

Domestic Violence: Living Room

Descriminatie.nl

Karabine

Too Much To Handle?

What do you think of these extreme advertisements? Do you think their shock tactics worked? Are you for or against such advertising concepts? If these are not the most shocking or disturbing advertisements you’ve seen or you’ve seen others that deserve a mention, feel free to share them with us. Let’s discuss the pros and cons of extreme advertising prints.