It's no secret that sex can certainly sell when it comes to advertising. While the sex appeal angle can often times be controversial when used in traditional marketing campaigns, it nonetheless creates quite a buzz. Myriad sexually charged television advertisements have been pulled in the past after a public outcry, but these ads often times continue to live on in the real of social media, mostly thanks to YouTube. In addition to television ads that have been relocated to YouTube, you can find numerous other provocative videos on YouTube that were made specifically for that platform. Considering the fact that many people point out the fact that sex sells, you have to ask yourself if sex will create a buzz and favorably increase awareness for your own product or service. Still not convinced, then take a look at the sexually provocative Radio Shack commercial below. It has been available for only a few days, and has already generated over 857,000 YouTube views.
As you ask yourself if a sexually charged social media marketing scheme that relies on provocative YouTube video's is right for you, you must first look at your audience. Are you trying to sell a product or service to an audience that is easily offended? If you're looking to market your family cleaning service for instance, sexy would probably not be the way to go. Likewise, if you have opened a family restaurant and are trying to get customers in the door, it would be wise to avoid sexually charged social media videos and advertising. In stark contrast, a restaurant such as hooters could very successfully advertise its business by making sexy videos available on social media sites.
Kate Upon made this new Hardee's burger look sexy on tv, but the ad was soon pulled after a public outcry. Nonetheless, it lives on in social media.
What you need to consider when contemplating the use of sexually charged advertising is the nature of your target audience. If you offer a product primarily aimed at men, then sexually charged videos featuring females would probably generate a positive buzz amongst the target audience. Be careful though because possible female customers might be turned off by such marketing gimmicks, so be sure that the gain outweighs the risk when contemplating this marketing plan. While many sexually charged videos and commercials are aimed at men, it is likely that this same strategy could be used to appeal to female customers if used correctly.
This video of an attractive woman riding in a Ford Raptor has garnered almost 6.9 million views, begging the question, can sex help sell your product?
I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on this matter, should companies ever use sexually charged videos when marketing their products or services on social media platforms? When is such a strategy appropriate, and when is it not?
Very...educational. Yes, sex sells. Of course it does, but I don't think it's the classic subliminal message idea; you know, the "women like this will want you of you buy our products..." type thing.
ReplyDeleteSex has always sold, but whatever is EXTREME sells, especially now. Subtlety in most ads is gone, because agencies know they have to do something new to get outside the box. Take the first two ads here: they're both incredibly provocative, but it's not subtle like it used to be. It's joining the classic idea of sexy, adding an extremeness to it, and THEY know that YOU know that THEY know what they're doing.
What's more, they want people to laugh about it. I think it's because self-awareness is the new funny. The Beats Pill, for instance, is mocking the whole "sex sells" idea, while at the same time using it, because their are still scantily-clad lady folk in the ad.
In the crowded world of video advertising, I just wonder if these are perfect examples of new angles on disruptive advertising. These have nothing to do with their products, but they want you to notice them. Mission accomplished?
You make some really good points AJ. Advertisers seem to have abandoned the subliminal message advertising model when it comes to sex in favor of more outrageous and over the top material. The focus these days seems to be on creating a buzz and garnering attention, which sexually charged advertisements are doing these days.
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