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World’s Most Controversial Video Commercials
Controversial ads are commercial marketing videos that have caused public outcry or debate due to their offensive or insensitive content. These video commercials often push the boundaries of good taste, and can be seen as controversial or offensive by many viewers.
Some of the most controversial commercial videos include those that feature violence, racism, sexism, or other offensive content. While some people may find these videos humorous or thought-provoking, others may find them to be in bad taste.
Whether you find them offensive or not, there’s no denying that these commercial videos are some of the most talked-about and infamous ones out there.
So whats the idea here ? and what is the strategy behind these ads ? read on to find out more …
Why is getting an Ad banned a planned PR and Advertising Strategy?
There are many reasons why a company would want to get their commercial banned. It could be for shock value, to create buzz, or simply to get people talking about their product. Whatever the reason, getting an ad banned can be a great way to generate attention and publicity.
Some of the most controversial and talked-about commercials are those that have been banned. These ads often push the boundaries of what is considered acceptable, and they can be shocking, offensive, or just plain weird.
Here are some direct and indirect examples of the most controversial commercials that have been banned:
1. Pepsi – Live For Now
Pepsi – Live For Now commercial 2017 Kendal jenner is the most popular and trending commercial by Pepsi. It stars model and reality TV star Kendall Jenner. The commercial has been accused of being tone-deaf and insensitive to current social issues, such as the Black Lives Matter movement. Despite the backlash, Pepsi – Live For Now commercial 2017 Kendal jenner continues to be one of the most popular commercials of the year.
2. Edeka 2015 Christmas Commercial
Edeka’s Christmas controversial commercial features a touching story about a grandfather who is determined to connect with his family. Even though he may not be the most technologically savvy, he finds a way to connect with his loved ones in a very special way. The commercial highlights the importance of family and connections, even when we may be far apart. to some it’s a beautiful message that is sure to resonate with viewers during the holiday season to others it was deemed innapropriate.
3. Burger King – “Subservient Chicken” (2004)
This commercial was banned in the US for its strange and creepy content. It featured a man in a chicken suit who would do whatever the viewer told him to do, no matter how bizarre or degrading.
4. PETA – “Holocaust on Your Plate” (2003)
This commercial was banned in several countries for its graphic and disturbing content. It showed images of concentration camps and starving people, alongside footage of animals being slaughtered in factory farms.
5. Lynx – “clean Balls” (2011)
This commercial was banned in the UK for its sexually explicit content. It featured a woman suggestively washing a man’s balls in a shower, while he moaned in pleasure.
6. Turkish Airlines – “Kobe vs Messi: The Selfie Shootout” (2014)
This commercial was banned in the UK for its “offensive and tasteless” content. It showed football stars Lionel Messi and Kobe Bryant taking selfies with young fans, only to have them stolen by a child who then sold them on.
7. H&M – “Coolest Monkey in the Jungle” (2018)
This commercial generated massive controversy for its racist and insensitive message. It featured a black child model wearing a hoodie with the words “coolest monkey in the jungle” written on it.
While getting an ad banned can be a great way to generate publicity, it’s also important to consider the potential negative consequences. Banned ads often offend or upset people, and they can damage a brand’s reputation. So before you create a controversial commercial, make sure you know what you’re doing and be prepared for the backlash.
8. Nike: ‘Just Do It’ (2018)
Nike has come under fire in recent years for its endorsement of Colin Kaepernick, a former NFL player who kneeled during the national anthem to protest police brutality and racial inequality. Though Nike initially stuck by Kaepernick, it eventually pulled its support after he filed a lawsuit against the NFL, alleging that the league had colluded to keep him out of the league.
Despite the backlash, Nike decided to double down on its support for Kaepernick with a new ad campaign featuring the slogan “Just Do It.” The ad was released on the 30th anniversary of the “Just Do It” campaign, and Nike said that Kaepernick was chosen as the face of the campaign because he “believes in something even if it means sacrificing everything.”
9. Gillette: “We Believe” (2019)
As mentioned in the Gillette commercial, “We Believe”, the company has been embroiled in controversy regarding their 2019 advert. The advert features a number of Gillette’s male customers and employees, including one man who is shown shaving for the first time. The tagline for the advert is “The best a man can get”.
The commercial was met with mixed reactions, with some people praising it for its message of inclusion and diversity, and others criticising it for being “anti-male” and suggesting that it promotes toxic masculinity.
In the wake of the controversy, Gillette issued a statement saying that they had “heard from many consumers who appreciate our messaging” and that they were “committed to continuing the dialogue with customers about what it means to be the best a man can get”.
10. Lush: ‘Spycops’ (2018)
In 2018, Lush, a cosmetics company, ran a campaign calling for an end to the practice of undercover police officers infiltrating protest groups, which they dubbed “spycops“. The campaign was controversial, with some accusing the company of smearing the police and undermining public trust in law enforcement. Lush has defended the campaign, saying that it was not intended to be anti-police but was meant to raise awareness of a “dangerous and undemocratic” practice.
Lush’s campaign came in the wake of revelations that undercover police officers had spied on the family of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence, as well as the families of other victims of police brutality. The campaign was also inspired by the case of Mark Kennedy, an undercover police officer who infiltrated environmental protest groups. Kennedy’s activities were exposed by The Guardian in 2010, and he later testified that he had engaged in sexual relationships with several of the women he had met while undercover.
What do you think of these controversial commercial videos? do they make you feel uncomfortable ?
Controversial Video Marketing And How It Works
Some of the most controversial commercial videos are those that feature ads that are either suggestive or offensive. These types of commercials are designed to get people talking, and they often succeed in doing just that.
While some people may be turned off by these kinds of ads, others find them intriguing or even humorous. Either way, they are certainly effective at getting attention. And in the world of marketing, attention is everything.
So, what makes a commercial video controversial? Well, it really depends on the viewer’s personal sensibilities. What one person may find offensive, another may find completely acceptable. In general though, there are a few elements that tend to make commercial videos controversial.
One is sex. Ads that feature sexual content or suggestiveness are often considered controversial. This is because sex is a taboo subject for many people, and it can be seen as exploiting a person’s sexual desires.
Another element that can make commercial videos controversial is violence. Ads that feature violence, or even just suggest it, can be seen as insensitive or even irresponsible. This is because violence is a very serious issue, and it should not be used to sell products.
Finally, commercial videos can also be controversial if they feature offensive language. This is because offensive language can be seen as derogatory and hurtful to certain groups of people.
Controversial commercial videos are designed to get attention. And while they may not be everyone’s cup of tea, there’s no denying that they are effective at doing just that.
Similar to controversial video commercials are Shockumentarys read on to find why ..
What is a Shockumentary?
A shockumentary is a documentary-style video that is designed to shock or disgust its viewers. These videos often contain graphic or disturbing footage, and are usually intended to raise awareness about controversial topics.
Shockumentaries have been used to explore a wide range of issues, including war, violence, poverty, and crime. While some shockumentaries are educational and thought-provoking, others are simply voyeuristic and sensationalistic.
Video shockumentaries can be incredibly powerful and effective at raising awareness about important issues. However, they can also be highly controversial, and some people find them to be in bad taste.
Many commercial television networks refuse to air shockumentaries due to their potentially offensive content.
Some of the most controversial and offensive commercial videos are shockumentaries. These videos often contain graphic or disturbing footage, and are usually intended to raise awareness about controversial topics.
Shockumentaries have been used to explore a wide range of issues, including war, violence, poverty, and crime.
While some shockumentaries are educational and thought-provoking, others are simply voyeuristic and sensationalistic.
Some of the most controversial commercial “Shockumentary”videos include:
(some no longer in circulation )
1) “The War on Drugs” commercial: This commercial features footage of people using drugs, as well as images of drug paraphernalia. The commercial was created by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, and aired during the Super Bowl in 1987.
2) “Your Brain on Drugs” commercial: This commercial features an egg being fried in a pan, with the voiceover saying “this is your brain on drugs.” The commercial was created by the Partnership for a Drug-Free America, and aired during the Super Bowl in 1997.
3) PETA’s ” Holocaust on Your Plate” campaign: This campaign featured disturbing images of animals being slaughtered, along with comparisons to the Holocaust. PETA’s ad campaign was widely criticized as being insensitive and offensive. Video can be seen in previous section above
4) The ” Truth” anti-smoking commercial: This commercial features graphic images of people suffering from smoking-related illnesses, including cancer. The commercial was created by the American Legacy Foundation, and aired during the Super Bowl in 2002.
5) The ” Not Buying It” commercial: This commercial features a young girl talking about how she was sexually assaulted by a man who bought her alcohol. The commercial was created by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, and aired during the Super Bowl in 2004.
6) The ” We’re Going to Hell in a Handbasket” commercial: This commercial features footage of people engaging in various sinful activities, such as premarital sex and drug use. The commercial was created by the Coalition for a Moral America, and aired during the Super Bowl in 2005.
7) The ” Get Your War On” commercial: This commercial features footage of people being killed in wars, as well as images of weapons. The commercial was created by the anti-war group MoveOn.org, and aired during the Super Bowl in 2006.
8) The ” Healthy Baby Girl” commercial: This commercial features footage of a baby girl being born with HIV/AIDS. The commercial was created by amfAR, and aired during the Super Bowl in 2007.
9) The ” It’s Not Worth It” commercial: This commercial features footage of people who have been affected by drunk driving accidents. The commercial was created by Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and aired during the Super Bowl in 2008.
10) The ” I’m a PC” commercial: This commercial features people of various races and ethnicities talking about how they are PCs. The commercial was created by Microsoft, and aired during the Super Bowl in 2009.
While some commercial videos are controversial due to their graphic or disturbing content, others are controversial due to their political messages. For example, PETA’s ” Holocaust on Your Plate” campaign was criticized for its insensitivity, while Microsoft’s ” I’m a PC” commercial was criticized for its political correctness.
What do you think? Are commercial videos too often controversial and offensive? Or do they serve an important purpose?
Conclusion: World’s Most Controversial Video Commercials
Whether you loved them or hated them, the world’s most controversial commercials have certainly been successful in getting people to talk. And as we all know, any kind of publicity is good publicity.
If you’re looking to create a commercial that will get people talking (in a good way ! ) contact us today. We can help you come up with an idea that will be sure to stir up some controversy and get your brand the attention it deserves.
Article by Nicole Delgado | CMO | Explainer Video Company | Animated Explainer Videos For Business
