Subliminal advertising is a long-standing concept that involves using hidden messaging to influence people’s behavior without their conscious awareness. These secret messages, often embedded in visual or auditory elements of an advertisement, are designed to subtly shape consumer perceptions and decisions.
Subliminal advertising is a clever and powerful tool brands use to tap into people’s subconscious desires. It then drives them to take specific actions, such as buying a product or taking certain actions. This article will walk you through 11 examples of effective subliminal advertising. Let’s get started.
Leading Examples of Effective Subliminal Advertising
1. Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola, a leading beverage brand, is a prime example of effective subliminal advertising. Its iconic red and white branding instantly recognizes and connects with people worldwide.
The advertisements of this specific brand use subtle cues to suggest happiness, friendship, and togetherness.
2. Marlboro
Marlboro, another brand that effectively employs subliminal advertising, uses rugged images of cowboys and open spaces in its advertisements. These images are not just about the cowboy lifestyle but also convey a sense of freedom and adventure, subtly influencing the viewer’s perception of the brand.
The brand Marlboro has become so strongly associated with the image of this advertisement that it is now referred to and popularly known by the name “Marlboro Man.”
3. McDonald’s’
The food brand McDonald’s made the major headlines in 2007. Its iconic golden arches are recognized around the world instantly. This specific brand’s advertising campaigns often use bright colors.
Then, to enhance the advertising efforts, the brand also integrates upbeat music to suggest fun and happiness.
4. Tostitos
We are all very familiar with the logo of this brand, Tostitos. Yet again, if you have taken the time to inspect it, you’ve probably missed the hidden elements.
The two Ts in the middle form into two friends sharing chips and salsa—that is pretty cool, isn’t it? This advertisement works because it is not in your face, and the brand can easily promote its benefits.
5. Amazon
Without any second thoughts or doubts, Amazon is one of the brands with one of the most recognizable logos globally. Yet again, no matter how often you’ve seen the logo, it still hasn’t taken it in.
Pay attention to the strategically placed arrow. The same works because Amazon sells everything from A to Z. Then, it is not pushy; the logo reinforces the channels, an all-in-one model.
6. Snooty Peacock
One thing is sure: sometimes, a subliminal message is right there, but we might not see it. That said, the same is true of the Snooty Peacock. You must be wondering what we are referring to, right?
The logo and the brand image of Snooty Peacock use two images: a peacock and a woman with a necklace. The peacock symbolizes a beautiful bird; conversely, a woman symbolizes a unique client. The same is effective as the viewer will look at the logo at least twice.
7. FedEx
We are sure you have yet to see this one coming: FedEx. You will probably never find yourself fetching the hidden message with FedEx. Well, the whitespace between E and X clearly outlines an arrow.
It works because FedEx uses the arrow to spotlight speed and efficiency, among the brand’s most significant benefits. You’ll have to agree that you would not have noticed this until someone pointed it out.
8. Pirates of Caribbean
Note that Disney has been accused of hiding subliminal messages in their movies. However, this one would be very subtle again, and you might not imagine this one coming. While it might not be obvious, people were convinced that Disney adapted the prominent famous skull and crossbones emblem logo to look more like their iconic Mickey Mouse logo.
This worked great because people like Mickey and feel great about Disney. So, they’ll feel great by presenting something that reminds them of both.
9. Baskin Robins
Were you aware that Baskin Robins uses effective subliminal advertising to increase the number of flavors it sells? That sounds interesting. Pay close attention to the nonblue parts in Baskin Robins’ logo.
Though it is subtle, it can get its point across. The distinct appearance of 31 within the B and R keeps the brand selling 31 flavors.
10. Toyota
Have you ever paid close attention to Toyota’s logo? It is a fairly routine car company graphic, right? Yet again, if you pay close attention to the logo, you will notice that the graphic, i.e., the logo, spells out the word Toyota.
This effective subliminal advertisement in commercials works well because the brand uses the logo to reinforce its name. Simply put, the brand is using an obvious strategy.
11. Toblerone
Upon first glance at the Toblerone logo, you’ll notice an average Swiss mountain range. Yet again, when you pay close attention to the logo, you will see that the logo depicts a bear standing on its legs, which is smartly hidden in the design of the logo.
This is one of the most clever ways of using effective subliminal advertising. The logo cleverly pays tribute to the Swiss city of Bern, where the chocolate company was founded.
Types of Subliminal Advertising Messages
Subaudible Messages
The first type: the subaudible messages integrate audio content. This content is put into another, different piece of audio. For instance, brands might add voice recordings to a song or interview audio. Yet again, its deficient volume makes it impossible to detect the same.
However, the audio is fine enough to deliver a subtle message. The hearer will listen to the same and store it in their subconscious mind.
Subvisual Messages
The second type, subvisual messages, comprises visual cues on TV, print, and other visual media. One of the most prominent examples of this category is the appearance of brand logos on TV screens, especially when they are flashed briefly on the screen and disappear within a fraction of a seconds.
As a viewer, you do not even realize you’ve seen it, but the conscious mind captures it. These sub-visual messages can include visual cues, such as those integrated into company logos, which indirectly communicate particular ideas to the user’s brain.
Backmasking Messages
The third type, backmasking messages, is a specific kind of messaging used in audio. It uses either a voice recording played in reverse or played usually. This effective subliminal advertising has a remarkable presence in urban legends and conspiracy theories. However, note that backmasking messages are only sometimes used.
Strategies Used in Effective Subliminal Advertising
Hidden Messages
One of the most amazing tactics of ineffective subliminal advertising is the ultimate use of hidden messages. These messages are often hidden in an image or sound that is eventually presented to the viewer or listener.
To understand it better, here’s an example: there are chances that a food chain dealing in Barbecue might just end up using B and Q in their advertisements.
Color Psychology
Another critical tactic used in effective subliminal advertising is the ideology of color psychology. Different colors tend to have different effects on people’s emotions and behavior. Brands understand this very well, and so they implement and maximize the use of color psychology.
Knowledgeable, savvy marketers used this technique in their advertisements to the best of their knowledge. To understand it better, here’s an example: red is often used where there is passion and excitement, while blue comes into play where trust and reliability are involved.
Music and Sound Effects
One must recognize music and sound effects when mentioning the strategies used in effective subliminal advertising. The impact of music and sound ineffective subliminal advertising can be used to influence people’s behavior.
There are times when car companies use engine sounds to subtly advertise speed and power so that it settles in the subconscious minds of the ad viewer.
Repetition
Repetition plays a massive role in effective subliminal advertising. Simply put, by constantly repeating a specific message or image again and again, marketers can easily enhance the chances that the message and the brand image will stay in the minds of the viewers.
It can directly influence their behavior. To understand it better, you may recall all the brands that use jiggle words in their advertisements to get you hooked to the word or a specific phrase. This way, these brands leave an impact and stay in your subconscious mind for a long time.
Conclusion
By now, you must understand effective subliminal advertising and how it encompasses visual or auditory stimuli that the conscious mind cannot recognize. This type of subtle advertisement is usually integrated with different media mediums, such as television commercials, prints, songs, and digital advertisements, to make an impact. However, brands’ ultimate goal is to remain impactful but not overpowering. Such advertisements quickly boost a brand’s persuasiveness.
Also Read, How to Use Instagram for Business?: 13 Ways to Advertise on Instagram
