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Brands Make Spooky Ads for Halloween, Part II
More tricks and treats to round out scary season
Like any good scary movie, we needed a sequel to our first roundup of brands making scary ads…
Lowe’s, ‘Haunted How to Safely Operate a Chainsaw’—Dentsu Creative
Sometimes real life is scarier than fiction. Operating a chainsaw and keeping your body parts intact falls under that category. With help from Dentsu Creative, the Lowe’s made a safety how-to video with a Halloween twist. Are we watching the start of a horror film or learning about how to properly operate a potentially dangerous tool? It’s a bit of both. Never run with a chainsaw—but always flee from someone chasing you with one.
Clash Royale, ‘The Royale Curse’— David New York
Many horror movies feature cursed objects and in Supercell’s ad for its mobile game Clash Royale, the game IS the curse. Directed by Kelsey Taylor, features a group of friends around a fire. They play Clash Royale and meet their deaths game-style: by arrows, fire and poison, until one “believer” remains. Lose, if you dare!
Geico, ‘Horror Movie’—The Martin Agency
This Halloween classic from Geico survived longer than teens in [insert any scary film here]. “Horror Movie” is a decade old, reruns almost every year and highlights all the bad decisions one makes in a horror movie. Like running upstairs rather than outside, or hiding behind chainsaws. The spot is running across Amazon Thursday Night Football’s pre-show, and was even mentioned in Holly, a book by Stephen King.
Angry Orchard, ‘Hide & Shriek’—MullenLowe
Angry Orchard has some tricks up its sleeve in a Hide & Shriek Prank pack. These cans contain no alcohol. Pranksters are encouraged to add these to the mix of adult beverages in the fridge. Those who open can will unleash a scary scream. Six-packs cost $10.31.
Reese’s and Kit Kat, Trick-or-Treatable Costume
Reese’s and Kit Kat created a DIY costume so people can go out on Halloween and give away treats. Why settle for one when you can “Choose Both!” It only takes a handful of items and a quick run to Home Depot to build a Trick-or-Treatable Costume. But we all know the most important item is the candy.
Ghost Tequila, ‘Death of the Margarita’—Big Com
Ghost Tequila, as part of its Day of the Dead-inspired activation, held a funeral in Boston for the margarita. The beloved drink died of unnatural causes at the age of 86. Big Com created an actual funeral for visitors to pay their respects and perhaps embrace a spicier alternative … like a spicy margarita.
Diablo IV, ‘Vases of Hatred’—Mojo Supermarket
To promote “Vessel of Hatred,” an expansion of Diablo IV, Mojo Supermarket created “Vases of Hatred.” The site let users in the Los Angeles and New York area send dead flowers to their gaming rivals. Those outside NYC and L.A. can send a creepy message to a friends, bosses or loved ones. All’s fair in love and gaming.
Rohto, Fear No Light—The BAM Connection
Rohto eye drops launched an ad running in theaters prior to Smile 2 that explains how the light is more frightening than the dark when it comes to eye health. Hiding in plain light?
