Life Becoming a Parody of Itself

So, there was recently a big stir over a very disturbing British PSA regarding Texting while driving:



Which is why I am personally shocked and horrified that this still happens:



It's kind of ironic. The PSA is a mockumentary about the dangers of using a new media while engaged in an "old" activity. The second is candid footage of an old media being used during the old activity... except it is arguable MUCH more dangerous.

Also, it appears we have found Waldo. Looks like running from the law calls for more reckless behavior.

Ice Sculptures: a PSA

"To draw attention to climate change, the World Wildlife Federation had Brazillian artist Nele Azevedo set up 1000 ice sculptures on the steps of the Berlin Concert Hall. [Image via Getty]" - Gawker

This concept is great, but Brazil is hot - I can only imagine how long those little men were around. In terms of effectiveness, if anything, the word of mouth is the real media placement here, as opposed to the hundred of icemen situated on these steps.

Surprising PSA

Earlier, I wrote about Public Service Announcements, and how they seem to get away with everything.

This is a movie capitalizing on PSA's ability to shockvertize:

This Has Been a Public Service Announcement

Public Service Announcements are notorious for being one of two extremes: A) Mind-numbingly boring, or B) Shockingly gruesome.

I find it interesting that this is almost expected of PSA's. Either the nonprofit is dealing with a sensitive subject, and wants to be considerate and careful, or they want to create as much buzz as possible by through shockvertising.

Funny... when big business tries to harness shock value to generate buzz, they usually get negative press (cue Burger King, United Colors of Bennetton, etc). It's the nonprofits that get all sorts of positive buzz whenever that let them get away with this sort of thing. Truth is, all advertisers want to shock you - it gets you talking about their brand. It just seems that only when it's for a good cause do people refrain from playing the "offended" card... take, for example, this anti-smoking ad:


More: Bloody Billboard, PETA (of course), Kid Eating Poop, etc.

What's more, a lot of PSA's are placed in media for free. They get great, eye-catching work, dirt cheap media, and a lot of (semi-) positive buzz.

Maybe this industry isn't as hopeless as I thought? (Check one for big morals vs big business.)