From the Subliminal to the Absurd

Posted in advertising, online marketing on April 21st, 2010 by fubarrio

A big part of my world involves advertising.

Most of it is just text based advertising. Much of it however consists of search engine marketing and direct marketing pieces — like the paid placements you see in pay per click or google adwords.

On a rare occasion I take a client into some light print advertising stuff, but when I’m working in financial services even this is often only boring black, white and gray-scale and utilizing a very small area and I need to put together an attention getter, a benefit or two, and a call to action in a very small space.

There is typically not much room to get very “artistic”.

Regardless, I like to look around at what the other wizards are doing in other spaces/markets/mediums, and one of my favorites is the world of “subliminal advertising”.

While copywriters do it all the time with inferences, and suggestions (get this or you’re a loser and your family won’t love you anymore) the really funny/interesting ones are when the photographers and graphic elements folks get in the mix, as it usually involves the suggestion of sex.

The Coke Bottle

Coke Bottle's Classic 'Hourglass' Shape

Coke Bottle's Classic 'Hourglass' Shape

While there is some argument that the developers of the original coke ‘hourglass’ shape actually knew what they were doing, they’ve undoubtedly benefited from having the iconic bottle shape.

Pierre Cardin Men’s Cologne Bottle

While there are a million other examples, the one that has always cracked me up as being absolutely *blatant* is the pierre cardin men’s cologne bottle.

Phallic inspired Pierre Cardin Bottle

Phallic inspired Pierre Cardin Bottle

The television commercial that they ran in the late 80’s on this one is just classic. Alas, I was unable to find it on youtube. So, unfortunately, you’ll have to live with my description. In short, it is a series of quick, sexy cuts that builds up to a climax that has the bottle “exploding” and gushing forth the contents at the end of the video. Subtle. :)

Sex Sells in Latin America

I spent the last few years living in South America. Below are some classic snap shots I took while walking around town I wanted to share with you.

Ta Ta Stores Punta Del Este Uruguay

Ta Ta Stores Punta Del Este Uruguay

I’ll start slow with the venerable Ta-Ta stores. Ta-Ta in and of itself isn’t that funny unless taken with the next entry

Tits Store

Tits Store

Fun with Food

Photographers and videographers have a lot of fun creating sexually suggestive images and video clips with food elements.
Below are two pictures that I snapped while grocery shopping in Montevideo, Uruguay

Strawberries in the Grocery Store Sign

Strawberries in the Grocery Store Sign

This last picture shows up on floor coolers in retail outlets.

Tastes Creamy!

Tastes Creamy!

In summary, until proven otherwise, I think we have to assume that sex still sells :-)


88 Responses to “From the Subliminal to the Absurd”

  1. mental health Says:

    Coke Bottle’s Classic ‘Hourglass’ Shape is a good sample.

  2. John Philip Says:

    oh yeah, sex does sell

  3. Ishfak Says:

    Coke bottle, perfume are nice samples

  4. Brandon Connell Says:

    That’s funny. I heard that the army is looking for a few good tits.

  5. Jasper Says:

    When I read and see your post. I got smile! it’s funny! Sex sells? hahaha!

  6. ozeeya Says:

    Thanks you sharing this information with us, Tits store pictures are nice.

  7. vincent Says:

    Everybody think about sex, and marketers know that

  8. cancer rectum Says:

    Inconsciensly people like ads where there are implicit sex content…

  9. Myrtle Beach Attorney Says:

    Males this about sex every 52 seconds! Its proven!

  10. Somente Coisas Legais - Divulgue seu Blog Says:

    Very Good Post! Coca-Cola is a classic exemple! =)

  11. Cake Rakeback Says:

    This is great! I had no idea that subliminal messages were so abundant in the advertising world. I am eager to learn more. You’ve found yourself a loyal reader, for sure.
    Thanks, Rake.

  12. Liebe Says:

    Yeah the store called tits is awesome. I’d take my girlfriend there:)

  13. Average cost of insurance Says:

    billboard advertising in highways, tV, radio, News, Magazines are part of the marketing campaign of any product. When the quality of advertisement is good it will amuse and we get convince but if it’s boring it irritates us.

  14. hitittuning Says:

    Coke Bottle’s Classic ‘Hourglass’ Shape is a good sample.

  15. Tobacco lover Says:

    Tits rules! I want to visit this store, and watch wat sells they!)

  16. Shadow Says:

    I love the original coke ‘hourglass’ shape , i think this is a symbol of coke, anyway, nice and new information for me.

  17. Jo Says:

    very good shots! thanks for sharing! South America…I never been to….

  18. Sell your songs online Says:

    I had no idea that there was such blantant display of sex in Latin America. I really enjoyed you walking us through these pictures.

  19. beton amprentat Says:

    You are right …sex still sells products…and not only…
    In our days the music videos, commercials and many things are better sold helped by sex

  20. Cheap Handbags Says:

    The shape is very humorous . The writer has good observation of things around. Thank you for sharing this with us.

  21. Jovit @ Sytek MN Directory Says:

    Sex still sells, that’s reality. Some people may be ignorant about it but that’s the truth.

  22. Telemarketing Says:

    I personally think that advertisement is one main toll to generate your business. Some useful help from a couple of social medias would really you business reach the top.

  23. Carlton Says:

    I agree that ads are main toll to generate business but sex should not be used in that.

  24. Andy Says:

    Is it bad that i have giggled liek a little boy at every one of them images. lol

  25. Andrew Keir Says:

    I really hope “tits” means something totally different south america…

  26. Mobility Equipment Says:

    Really good post, i love seeing examples of creative advertising

  27. Free Scripts Says:

    well yes nice bottle design for coke is a sample.
    and nice pics as well.

  28. Medieval Accessories Says:

    well i think if you can afford paid advertisement then it is the best option to go for.

  29. Suyatno Says:

    oh yeah, sex does sell

  30. Allison Beckett Says:

    did we have any doubts that sex sells????

  31. MMA Training Says:

    Lol thanks for sharing your pics from south america. Sex definitely does sell.

  32. web3.0 Says:

    Let’s all go shopping at the local T*TS store!!

    Most of the sexual content you see in advertising is subliminal because it is a fine line between getting the most bang for your buck (sorry couldn’t resist) and offending people. Sure its designed to get you discussing the commercial aka product. But it can back fire too.

  33. order glasses online Says:

    Some very funny photo’s, it’s amazing these corporations let these slip through the net with no one mentioning the sexual connotations. Or maybe its deliberate?

  34. order glasses online Says:

    Some very funny photo’s, it’s amazing these corporations let these slip through the net with no one mentioning the sexual connotations. Or maybe its deliberate?

  35. Jacky Says:

    yeah, the ice cream tastes good, i wonder how the girl tastes :D

  36. Anabolic Supplements Says:

    I like coke. It is my favorite drink

  37. SEO Swindon Says:

    I think sex certainly still sells, all you have to do is look at glossy magazines to see that

  38. Hunter Says:

    Good post!
    Coke bottle :) ‘hourglass’ )))
    tnx. you

  39. Laz Says:

    Coca-cola is the most often used advertisement and the adverts are really good

  40. Asset Tracking Says:

    Nice post. Those pics are funny. I really, really agree. Sex sells a lot. Many companies are using this to attract buyers. Thanks for sharing. Keep posting cool articles.

  41. Leslie Snickerman Says:

    Sex sells! It still does, it always will!

  42. Smart Phone Reviews Says:

    This is nice post! Sex sells very interesting. Thanks for sharing.

  43. best anti aging Says:

    it’s one of the great softdrink brand for me. Excellent post here.

  44. Egrove Systems Says:

    Great post, fun with food picture is excellent

  45. fubarrio Says:

    @orderglasses online — yes, it’s totally deliberate, imo

  46. Vehicle Graphics London Says:

    As a signwriter, I always appreciate interesting and different adverts like the ones you show here. Subliminal advertising has been going on for years, some of it not so subtle!

  47. dahendra Says:

    That’s funny. I heard that the army is looking for a few good tits.

  48. doagandos Says:

    Coca-cola is the most often used advertisement and the adverts are really good

  49. reverse phone lookup usa Says:

    I think that’s very intelligent and creative.Even TV ads are being designed using the same concept.

  50. Free Date Says:

    As well all know, sex sells.

  51. 1skyliner Says:

    This is nice post! Sex sells very interesting. Thanks for sharing.Thanks for the article. I liked reading it

  52. Cheap Beijing Tours Says:

    Something we should think is that how to change ads into the part of your life..

  53. Johny Amor Says:

    I love the “frigor” ad, it’s hilarious!

  54. Calgary Web Design Says:

    Somehow it depends upon the mind of the person looking at it. Like of Simon Freud everything he sees he associate it with Sex,so if you have a normal mind looking at these stuff doesn’t connote anything sexual at all.

  55. Texas Process Server. Says:

    Really funny but good work according to the marketing strategies, the more the obvious the add its more likely it would be popular and thats Marketing. Thank you very much for sharing it…..

  56. giselle@roofing specialist charlotte Says:

    nice pictures and very innovative. Still I agree with Calgary that it would really depend on the person looking at the ad. I don’t think a kid who loves to eat ice cream would think that the ad looked sexist. :)

  57. julie seena Says:

    nic article thanx for shahring this articles.

  58. RFID Asset Tracking Says:

    I agree. I had a friend before, he used this technique of using sex to promote his business. Who would thought that he would be successful? It really works. It’s amazing how the human brain sees things. Thanks for posting.

  59. Lucas Says:

    I love the Coca Cola Illutrations

  60. euros 'N' dollars Says:

    Of course sex sells and it always will.

  61. Rake Says:

    This is great! I had no idea that subliminal messages were so abundant in the advertising world. I am eager to learn more. You’ve found yourself a loyal reader, for sure.
    Thanks, Rake.

  62. French Macaroons Says:

    …of course sex sales. Sex is the number 1 selling point of most products out these days…just look at a shampoo or deodorant commercial, the models, everything! Sex is everywhere.

  63. Laptopuri ieftine Says:

    As far as I know sex might be the engine of economy :)

  64. Ayurvedic Resort Says:

    Advertising has changed the world…Greta post!!!

  65. Atoot Says:

    Helpful information for starters.

  66. Organic Maple Syrup Says:

    Hum, how could we apply the “sex” concept to maple syrup???!!!!!!!!

  67. Ottawa Real Estate Says:

    The founder of GoDaddy is a firm believer in “sex sells”. Check out all their ads, some of them are online exclusively since they’re too racy for TV.

  68. Justin Isler Says:

    Good post @ Coke bottle.

  69. case management software Says:

    I agree with Ottawa the GoDaddy ads are interesting to view. Has anyone really thought about the Coke icon though? I’m not convinced that they had sex in mind or a curvy figure when they made the icon.

  70. Eden Pure Says:

    It’s unbelievable how much sex and sexuality are used to sell everything now a days. You can’t turn on the television, read a magazine, go to the grocery store, see a movie or listen to the radio without some sort of ad jumping out with sex appeal. Even music is littered with sexual inuendos and descriptions that “sex sells”. It’s no wonder our children think its ok to become sexually active at such a young age. I’m afraid without more people standing up and saying this isn’t acceptable nothing will change.

  71. Home Theater PA Says:

    Great post …. you have given very nice description as advertisement is the first thing that help in promoting the business.

  72. Download Instrumentals Says:

    i do not like sex pictures in this style :S

  73. WholesaleAce Says:

    Sex always sells and it will always.

    Advertising always played on human strength and weaknesses!

  74. John Moore Says:

    Have continually used Pierre Cardin since 1974 and without question it’s my signature fragrance. What a bargain! I haven’t seen the 8oz bottle since the early ’80’s…have been paying this much for the 2.7oz bottle and got so excited about the price, I bought 3. MSB

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  76. bijuterii Says:

    Isn’t it interesting? Advertising is playing with our mind and if we lose ourselves, then…it is ok… for them, and sometimes even for us. What? Do you say you don’t like Coke?

  77. marriane Says:

    Everyday we are bombarded with information, especially in advertising. Wherever we looked, we are feed by these ads, implied or unconsciously, it is absorbed by our system. Now, every nook and cranny had ads wanted to grab our attention. Now, who to blame these advertisers if their message got mix in the process? Message sent is not same as the message understood.

  78. Plc Training In Saudi Says:

    Nice Fun Foods.

  79. Shirts Says:

    Great post …. you have given very nice description as advertisement is the first thing that help in promoting the business…

  80. Janella Bebber Says:

    Hey! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering if you knew where I could find a captcha plugin for my comment form? I’m using the same blog platform as yours and I’m having difficulty finding one? Thanks a lot!

  81. tshirt shop Says:

    Wherever we looked, we are feed by these ads, implied or unconsciously, it is absorbed by our system. Now, every nook and cranny had ads wanted to grab our attention. Now, who to blame these advertisers if their message got mix in the process?

  82. Al Says:

    Haha brilliant post. I have a hispanic friend so I am well versed in what “Tatas” are. The girl eating the ice cream ones have been around in various guises for years, remember ‘magnum’?

  83. project management certification Says:

    yeah, I love to ear ice cream, thanks for the share..I willd definitely share this article to the people out there

  84. Kredit Says:

    Very good reading Dear contents can be found here. Yes, the Coca Cola bottle is a classic. And the ice is funny advertising. :)

  85. makeup classes Says:

    that is why kids should be accompanied by their parents.

  86. Bungallo- отдых Says:

    I love to ear ice cream too…….

  87. Smart Company Software Says:

    Funny post. Thanks for the laugh!

  88. alber @ stock exchange game Says:

    The nestle ad is just wrong on so many levels lol!

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