From the Subliminal to the Absurd
Posted in advertising, online marketing on April 21st, 2010 by fubarrioA 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
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
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
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
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
This last picture shows up on floor coolers in retail outlets.
Tastes Creamy!
In summary, until proven otherwise, I think we have to assume that sex still sells
Coke Bottle’s Classic ‘Hourglass’ Shape is a good sample.
oh yeah, sex does sell
Coke bottle, perfume are nice samples
That’s funny. I heard that the army is looking for a few good tits.
When I read and see your post. I got smile! it’s funny! Sex sells? hahaha!
Thanks you sharing this information with us, Tits store pictures are nice.
Everybody think about sex, and marketers know that
Inconsciensly people like ads where there are implicit sex content…
Males this about sex every 52 seconds! Its proven!
Very Good Post! Coca-Cola is a classic exemple! =)
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.
Yeah the store called tits is awesome. I’d take my girlfriend there:)
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.
Coke Bottle’s Classic ‘Hourglass’ Shape is a good sample.
Tits rules! I want to visit this store, and watch wat sells they!)
I love the original coke ‘hourglass’ shape , i think this is a symbol of coke, anyway, nice and new information for me.
very good shots! thanks for sharing! South America…I never been to….
I had no idea that there was such blantant display of sex in Latin America. I really enjoyed you walking us through these pictures.
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
The shape is very humorous . The writer has good observation of things around. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Sex still sells, that’s reality. Some people may be ignorant about it but that’s the truth.
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.
I agree that ads are main toll to generate business but sex should not be used in that.
Is it bad that i have giggled liek a little boy at every one of them images. lol
I really hope “tits” means something totally different south america…
Really good post, i love seeing examples of creative advertising
well yes nice bottle design for coke is a sample.
and nice pics as well.
well i think if you can afford paid advertisement then it is the best option to go for.
oh yeah, sex does sell
did we have any doubts that sex sells????
Lol thanks for sharing your pics from south america. Sex definitely does sell.
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.
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?
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?
yeah, the ice cream tastes good, i wonder how the girl tastes
I like coke. It is my favorite drink
I think sex certainly still sells, all you have to do is look at glossy magazines to see that
Good post!
‘hourglass’ )))
Coke bottle
tnx. you
Coca-cola is the most often used advertisement and the adverts are really good
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.
Sex sells! It still does, it always will!
This is nice post! Sex sells very interesting. Thanks for sharing.
it’s one of the great softdrink brand for me. Excellent post here.
Great post, fun with food picture is excellent
@orderglasses online — yes, it’s totally deliberate, imo
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!
That’s funny. I heard that the army is looking for a few good tits.
Coca-cola is the most often used advertisement and the adverts are really good
I think that’s very intelligent and creative.Even TV ads are being designed using the same concept.
As well all know, sex sells.
This is nice post! Sex sells very interesting. Thanks for sharing.Thanks for the article. I liked reading it
Something we should think is that how to change ads into the part of your life..
I love the “frigor” ad, it’s hilarious!
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.
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…..
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.
nic article thanx for shahring this articles.
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.
I love the Coca Cola Illutrations
Of course sex sells and it always will.
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.
…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.
As far as I know sex might be the engine of economy
Advertising has changed the world…Greta post!!!
Helpful information for starters.
Hum, how could we apply the “sex” concept to maple syrup???!!!!!!!!
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.
Good post @ Coke bottle.
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.
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.
Great post …. you have given very nice description as advertisement is the first thing that help in promoting the business.
i do not like sex pictures in this style :S
Sex always sells and it will always.
Advertising always played on human strength and weaknesses!
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
Your site offers a lot of unique insights and information. I have
neverreally thought about it like that. Please keep updating your
homepage.
I will be stopping over every time you do .
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?
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.
Nice Fun Foods.
Great post …. you have given very nice description as advertisement is the first thing that help in promoting the business…
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!
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?
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’?
yeah, I love to ear ice cream, thanks for the share..I willd definitely share this article to the people out there
Very good reading Dear contents can be found here. Yes, the Coca Cola bottle is a classic. And the ice is funny advertising.
that is why kids should be accompanied by their parents.
I love to ear ice cream too…….
Funny post. Thanks for the laugh!
The nestle ad is just wrong on so many levels lol!