Weird Ads: The Philosophy Behind Odd-vertising

We've all seen a countless number of ads in our lives. But have you ever seen one that has you asking yourself, “What the %$*# I just watch? ”Some of these ads are so weird and nonsensical that you can't help but scratch your head and wonder what in the world the company was thinking when they made it. But I can tell you exactly what the company was thinking. They were thinking, “let's make an ad that makes us a ton of money.” With that being said, you might be wondering how weird ads can possibly make more money than the typical ads you see every day. We'll answer your questions and more in this article, so stay tuned!

What is Odd-vertising?

Odd-vertising is a term used to describe advertising that is strange or unexpected. This can be in the form of an unusual ad campaign or an offbeat commercial. Some people might find odd-advertising entertaining or amusing, while others may find it confusing or simply not effective. Regardless of how you feel about it, odd-advertising is memorable and can help a company stand out from its competitors.

What Makes an Ad Weird or Odd?

To make a weird ad, the advertiser must go against the norms of what is typically seen in an ad. They must create something that is unexpected and catches the viewer's attention. This can be done by using strange or off-putting visuals, having a bizarre or nonsensical message or targeting a niche audience. By doing this, the advertiser creates a memorable ad that is more likely to stick in people's minds. Weird ads can be either successful or unsuccessful, depending on how well they are executed. If an advertiser creates a weird ad that is funny or interesting, it may receive a lot of attention and be successful. However, if an advertiser creates a weird ad that is confusing or offensive, it may not be well-received and be unsuccessful. At Wizard of Ads®, we can help make sure your weird ads hit the mark. Contact us today to start creating memorable ads that generate more customers and boost sales.

What Makes a Powerful Ad?

Every brand out there strives for powerful ads. They know that powerful ads generate more profit and attract more customers. So, what is it that makes an ad powerful?

The Visual Impact

Ads that make a visual impact often succeed in getting people’s attention. This is because humans are naturally drawn to visually stimulating things. Our brains process visuals much faster than text, so ads with a strong visual impact can create an immediate emotional response. Weird ads can be particularly powerful, as they often stand out from the crowd. By using unexpected or shocking visuals, these ads grab attention and create a lasting impression that drives action.

The Message - Emotional Impact

Ads can be extremely powerful because they can evoke strong emotions in people. Whether it’s happiness, sadness, anger or excitement, ads can manipulate your customers to get them to buy your product or service. The ad message is also important. It needs to resonate with your viewers and be something they can relate to or share their same values. By hitting on an emotional chord, you can create a connection with your audience that will make them more likely to buy the product, even if they don’t need it.

Strong Headline

If you want your ads to be powerful, it's important to focus on creating strong headlines that grab people's attention. Headlines are the first thing that people see, so you need to make sure that they are catchy and interesting. To create a weird ad with a powerful headline, be sure to create something different and unexpected. Your headline should be clever and interesting, while also accurately representing what the ad is about.

Urgency of the Relayed Message

Creating a sense of urgency in your ads makes people feel like they need to take action, otherwise, they will miss out on a valuable opportunity. Whether it’s to buy a product before it runs out of stock, or to sign up for a service before the offer expires, urgency encourages people to act fast. And when people are in a hurry, they’re more likely to make impulse buys.

Some of the Most Notable Weird Ads that Actually Worked

There are so many weird, funny advertisements that have claimed their fame in the world of advertising over the years. Here’s a list of some of the best weird ads out there and how they have become such a success.

IKEA - Pregnancy Test Coupon

Let's start off with Ikea's "Pregnancy Test." Yes, you read that correctly. The Swedish furniture company ran a weird ad campaign in which it offered customers a free pregnancy test on a coupon for a crib. The ads caused quite a stir, with many people wondering why Ikea would want to promote pregnancy tests. However, as it turns out, the campaign was actually quite successful. In fact, it was so successful that Ikea ended up giving away more than 100,000 pregnancy tests. So why did Ikea run this weird ad campaign? Well, according to company officials, they were simply trying to create some buzz and get people talking about their brand. And it seems like they succeeded, as the campaign generated a lot of publicity for Ikea.

Okuma - Born to Fish

Okuma's "Born to Fish" ad campaign was indeed weird, but it was also successful. The Taiwan fishing company's campaign featured print ads of babies that were merged with old grizzled sailors. The ads were funny and engaging, and they helped Okuma to become one of the top fishing gear brands in the world. By creating visually stunning and intriguing ads, Okuma was able to stand out from the competition and attract new customers. Thanks to its weird ad campaign, Okuma is now a household name in the fishing industry.

Squatty Potty - Unicorn Poop

Next on the list is Squatty Potty's "Unicorn Poop" ad. This was a weird commercial that certainly turned heads. It featured a Unicorn that was pooping rainbow ice cream. This commercial was successful because it was funny and memorable, while also educating and showing viewers why they need the product itself. People not only remembered the commercial, but they talked about it and shared it with their friends which helped to significantly increase sales. Squatty Potty was able to create a weird, cringe ad that people still remember to this day. This is a great example of how you can be successful by creating a weird ad that stands out from the rest.

Nintendo’s Game Boy - Trouser Ad

Nintendo's Game Boy "Trouser" Ad is a funny old ad that features a bizarre image of a person playing a Game Boy with a ferret going down their pants. The slogan "Game Boy. More fun than a ferret down your trousers" was used in the ad, which was a weird but successful way of promoting the product. This goes to show how having a catchy, humorous slogan will attract viewers and get them thinking positively about a brand. The Game Boy was a popular handheld gaming console in the 1990s. And unsurprisingly, Nintendo's weird trouser ad helped to boost its sales even further, as the company sold approximately 118 million units worldwide throughout its 12-year span.

KFC - Colonels Hand’s in the Sand

One of the latest campaigns for KFC was a commercial ad called "Fun in the Sun." This crazy ad shows the Colonel at the beach buried under the sand with multiple hands popping out holding fried chicken. In this campaign, the Colonel is played by a different person in every commercial, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats wondering who's going to play the Colonel next. As the commercial continues, more arms pop up from the sand, making it absurd and thoroughly entertaining. While it may have been weird, this random advertisement proved to be successful. It generated a lot of attention on social media and got people talking about KFC.

Old Spice - “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like”

Finally, who could forget Old Spice's "The Man Your Man Could Smell Like" commercial? Starring Isaiah Mustafa, this weird and wonderful ad was a runaway success. It not only generated a lot of buzz online, but it also increased sales by 27 percent! So what made it so successful? Well, for starters, the commercial was very funny and creative. It featured a hunky actor who delivered very tongue-in-cheek lines about how Old Spice could make your man smell good. And the overall tone of the ad was light and fun, which helped to capture people's attention. Additionally, the timing was perfect. With Valentine's Day just around the corner, many couples were looking for ways to improve their relationships. And Old Spice cleverly tapped into that with this weird advertisement. So, if you're feeling brave and want to try your hand at making weird ads, be sure to keep the following in mind. Weird ads can be some of the best or worst ads you'll ever create, so it's important to take risks wisely — but don't forget to have fun with it! At Wizard of Ads®, we can help you with creating successful advertising that stands out from the rest. Contact us today to start making ads that not only make an impact on your target audience but your revenue as well. Happy advertising!