Top 10 Dark Subliminal Messages Found In Advertisements

Summary

The video delves into controversial and subliminal advertisements from various companies, exploring how far marketers will go to manipulate consumers. From Burger King's raunchy 2009 campaign to Pepsi's dark 'Help me' bottle cap message, the host examines the impact and backlash of these ads. Highlights include KFC's hidden dollar bill in a sandwich, Marlboro's sneaky barcode design, and Intel's and Nivea's racially insensitive campaigns. The video ends with viewer comments and a reminder to stay tuned for more intriguing top 10 lists.

Takeaways

• 🍔 Burger King's 2009 raunchy ad for a 7-inch burger was highly inappropriate and used suggestive imagery to sell the product.
• 🎮 The 1973 Husker Du memory board game ad used subliminal messages, flashing 'Get It' across the screen to influence viewers to buy the game.
• 🍦 Little Babies Ice Cream produced an unsettling ad that went viral due to its bizarre and creepy imagery, which intrigued viewers despite discomfort.
• 🐀 George W. Bush's 2000 campaign ad appeared to flash the word 'rats,' subtly criticizing Al Gore's healthcare plan, though Bush denied this was intentional.
• 🍗 In 2008, KFC's ad for the Dollar Snacker sandwich showed a hidden dollar bill in the lettuce, sending a subliminal message about spending money.
• 🚗 Marlboro used a sneaky barcode design on Formula 1 cars, which looked like their cigarette logo at high speeds, continuing their advertising despite restrictions.
• 📖 SFX Magazine often manipulated their covers to make it appear like the word 'SEX' was spelled out, using this tactic especially with female actors to attract attention.
• 💻 Intel faced backlash in 2007 for a racist ad showing black runners bowing to a white businessman, suggesting racial dominance.
• 💈 Nivea's 2011 ad featured a black man 're-civilizing' himself by shaving his afro, sparking controversy for promoting a harmful stereotype about natural black hair.
• 🥤 Pepsi once used a dark marketing scheme where 'Help me, trapped in the Sophie factory' was found under bottle caps, creating an illusion of a real cry for help.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the video?

The video discusses subliminal and controversial messages used in advertisements by various companies, analyzing how these tactics are used to manipulate consumers.

What was controversial about Burger King’s 2009 advertisement?

Burger King's 2009 ad for its 7-inch burger was controversial due to its suggestive imagery, featuring a woman in a surprised pose with her mouth open, accompanied by the caption 'It'll blow your mind away,' which many found inappropriate and sexualized.

Why is the 1973 Husker Du ad considered important in advertising history?

The 1973 Husker Du ad is notable for being one of the first television commercials to use subliminal messaging, with the words 'get it' flashing on screen to influence viewers to buy the game.

What was unsettling about the 'Little Babies Ice Cream' ad?

The 'Little Babies Ice Cream' ad was intentionally disturbing, featuring a man eating ice cream off his own head. The ad was designed to make viewers uncomfortable while simultaneously promoting the ice cream, a strategy that resulted in viral success.

What subliminal message was hidden in George W. Bush’s 2000 campaign ad?

In George W. Bush's 2000 campaign ad, the word 'RATS' briefly flashed on screen, a fragment of the word 'bureaucrats,' during a critique of Al Gore’s healthcare plan. This subliminal message sparked controversy and led to the ad being pulled.

How did KFC use subliminal messaging in its 2008 ad for the Dollar Snacker?

In KFC's 2008 Dollar Snacker commercial, a dollar bill was hidden in the sandwich's lettuce, symbolizing a subliminal push for viewers to associate the sandwich with spending money.

What tactic did Marlboro use to continue promoting their brand in Formula 1 after tobacco advertising was restricted?

Marlboro used a barcode design on Formula 1 race cars that, at high speeds, appeared similar to their logo, allowing them to bypass tobacco advertising restrictions.

Why did Intel's 2007 ad face backlash?

Intel's 2007 ad, featuring six Black sprinters bowing in front of a white businessman, was criticized for being racially insensitive, with viewers interpreting it as a symbol of dominance and slavery, despite Intel's intent for it to depict runners in a race.

What was controversial about Nivea’s 2011 ad campaign?

Nivea's 2011 ad campaign faced criticism for its racially insensitive messaging, depicting a clean-shaven Black man with the slogan 're-civilize yourself,' implying that natural Black hair was uncivilized. In contrast, a similar ad featuring a white man did not carry this message.

What was the dark marketing tactic used by Pepsi in its bottle cap promotion?

Pepsi printed 'Help me, trapped in Sophie factory' under the caps of their bottles, which led people to believe a worker was in danger. This turned out to be a marketing scheme, which many found disturbing.