The Warring States of NPF - Shock in advertising

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- - Shock in advertising (http://www.nuklearforums.com/showthread.php?t=5466)

Shock in advertising

Originally from the Animation forum. Links are bound to contain shocking movies "The Ring closet scene" style. Careful then, lads and lasses.

Nosferatu says also to tell you to make sure you don't wear headphones (and I'd like to add "turn the volume down, while you're at it.").

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nosferatu

http://www.stokeyouth.co.uk/Classic_Auto_1.mpeg

Let me first say that if europeans gonna use this add to sell a car.. i'm glad i'll never buy one from them... (porcha [SP?] excluded of course :P )

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meister

I don't know how serious you were... that's an ad for what amounts to espresso-in-a-can. Quite popular over here. But sure as fuck not with me when they endorse their product like that!

Not that me as a non-coffee drinker boycotting their stuff would have any visible effect...

For the uninitiated: it's a movie that works on the premise of those shock flashes. You know, little calm movies that completely out of the blue zoom in on some kind of horror image whilst playing a loud scream or something... fucking hate those things. Anyway, it shows a car driving around in peaceful scenery, calm music, really like a car ad. Then, out of nowhere, cue zombie head, cue scream, cue you jumping to the ceiling, then the little espresso can is seen with the caption "You've never been that awake" (in German) underneath.

I do hope this was no deliberate prank...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nosferatu

actualy it was lol. It scared shit outa me on my clans forum for a game i play, so i've posted it here and on another forum to see people re-actions lol. Didn't know it was for a expresso though lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meister

Hm. I read up on it a bit. Seems those spots have been around for a while now (I wouldn't know normally since I don't watch TV) and have gained quite a bit of negative publicity. With reason.

This stuff is bad enough as flash, but on TV? With no warning at all? Those spots are aired at all times through the day, after all. Imagine children and old people... that's only the risk groups, mind you. I know one of those flashes damn well near did me in (I'm exagerrating only slightly - I wasn't able to calm down for half an hour then).

The worst part is the reaction of the company. Essentially it was "well ok, we'll announce the airing times in advance, if people insist on being sissies..." That infuriates me. It seems to me their target group are people who aren't too keen on showing consideration. I don't think we need a company to endorse that as a lifestyle.

Thread in Animation

Company's english website. The spots are under "ads", but be careful if you're prone to shocks.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find a good English article, although it seems it was on Jay Leno's show. This is pretty widely discussed in German forums as I've learned. Opinions are ranged from

"great idea, really shakes you up, it's creative, stands out, stuff like that is needed in our square society"

to

"horrible idea, my little son was in shock for hours after, do we really need something like this" and basically what I said above.

aaaaaand... discuss.

I definitely agree with you, Meister. That's definitely not an approach that advertisers should take. Many people don't like this sort of thing, and, as you said, it can be dangerous to some. Shock animations are fine, as long as they're voluntary. The company's response was uncondonable - they should have shown far more consideration.

Damn...these Europeans are really on something strong....but then again....so are we......

AHEM... I could tell you so much about the government's subliminal message program but then I, this forum, and everyone who is registered to this forum would disappear. So I give you this link which has al kinds of interesting tidbits about advertising.
http://www.jkcinema.com/runflash.asp...0&quality=best

Grrr! I hate that kind of freaky stuff. My computer has horrible graphics so the movie stuttered and was slowed down. The zombie didn't come out nearly as fast as it would have. Also, I had no headphones on and the the sound was off. All in all, I didn't get the full blast of it. However, it still managed to startle me and keep me on edge while I walked through to house to my attic where my bedroom is (It was the middle of the night.). I'm always on edge anyway in the dark (unless I'm outside. the outside makes me feel more free so I get a sense of bliss instead of uncertinty.) and this made me even more on edge. It pissed me off. However, I still love Europe!

A few months ago I posted that video on a web "community" without a warning and basically almost got banned.

I think it was only a matter of time before commercials were made into things that everyone absolutely loathes. I'm surprised it took this long. I think.... though.... that the horrible commercialism/consumerism and propaganda they use (in 99% of commericals) is more of a legitimate bitch than "it scared me" (as a reason not to like commercials). Of course, that's also a very ironic stance. But if you're watching commercials at this point (what with TiVo) you're a sucker anyway.

Speaking of "shock advertising" this should amuse people. It made me sad. (And no its not a shock ad, its a news article) http://cube.ign.com/articles/539/539963p1.html

I Don't think shock advertizing is good at all, I saw one and I just hated the commercial, I don't mind the flashes, but its been done. if it was the first time ever to have shocks like that shown, I would say wow how innovative. but its been done, let it go companies! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Generally, I share the sentiment that it's pretty stupid. If it were an original idea, I'd be more accepting. From the advertiser's perspective, though, they've created an apparently low-budget series of ads which (a) may make news, increasing exposure at no additional cost, and (b) are evidently discussed, increasing exposure at no additional cost. The general goals of advertising are to convince people to buy your product and/or to make them remember your brand in particular -- everyone drinks, just about, so how better to make a memorable ad than to create one which will lead to discussions such as this one?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChaosMage

Speaking of "shock advertising" this should amuse people. It made me sad. (And no its not a shock ad, its a news article) http://cube.ign.com/articles/539/539963p1.html

It's a sad day for all humanity when a kid isn't allowed to hold a butter knife.