Warning: Viewers Discretion Is Advised!
Image from: Squid
While some might find them somewhat perverse yet creatively brilliant, others might cringe and be disgusted or disapproving of their content or style. Everyone has a right to an opinion.
80 Controversial and Disturbing Print Ads
Let’s look at these advertisements objectively with an open and analytical mind and appreciate the creativity that went into it. One has to wonder how the creative directors and designers came up with these concepts. What was the thought process and rational behind their radical ideas? Was there prior censorship and surveying done in a control group before the decision to go ahead with the advert was made? No matter the response, such advertisements do exist and are on the rise. Does challenging the norm by being controversial and extreme payoff by leaving an impact or making an impression on viewers? This is an answer we’d love to find out.
Here are 80 controversial advertisements that challenge the boundaries of what is socially and morally acceptable with the use of dark humour and shock tactics. These print advertisements often use gore, vulgarity, sex, violence, and sometimes religion to promote their products or bring across the organisations’ message. These adverts either challenge social, political or moral propriety. That is why some of these advertisements are banned in certain countries. Although the use of such adverts can be effective, it is not for the faint of heart or small of mind. Not everyone can appreciate the beauty in such clever and deliberate ugliness.
Just liquid hand wash: Cockroaches 
Amnesty International: Archery 
AMAM - Association of Women Against Genital Mutilation: Plastic doll 
Amnesty International: Red Little Tender 
Shared Responsibility: Kidnapping 
Save the Children: Child Labour 
Sanctuary, Save the tiger: Binocular 
Pedestrian Council of Australia: Family 
Popeye Detergent Hipoalergenic: Hell raiser 
Oust: Everything has consequences 
Cerveira Art Biennial: Botticelli 
Pet flea & tick spot on: Haircut 
Multiple Sclerosis Australia: Use By Dates 
Glassing Sunglasses: Kiss my glass 
Workplace Safety Insurance Board: Sign 
Colombian Association of Arterial Hypertension: Home 
Gringo’s Tequila: El Matador Peligroso 
Foundation Abbé Pierre: The Lifeguard 
Filigranes Bookstore: Las Vegas 
Procter & Gamble / Febreze: Fly 
Family Network Foundation: Dad 
Emirates Arthritis Foundation: Painful 
Government of the State of Santa Catarina: Hamburger 
Concordia Children’s Services: Piglets 
NoButts.org Anti-Cigarette Butt Pollution Campaign: Catfish 
Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers: England 
Child Health Foundation: The Scream 
Casa & Perfume air freshener: Fish 
Eagle Print Awards 2009: Cactus 
Domestic Violence: Piece of meat 
The Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation 
