I saw this news story today on how the UK is moving from verbal warnings on cigarette packages to a more graphic means of communication, as you can see in this image.
In addition to the lungs photo, UK smokers will soon be seeing warning images of a chest cut open for heart surgery and a large tumor on a man’s neck.
The issue of smoking aside, I thought this news story was a good reminder for all advertisers out there – especially new start-ups or those with minimal ad budgets. Be bold, be blunt, and be clear.
Print ads especially can often turn into a “I need to add just one more thing” affair resulting in a confusing mess that fails to engage any viewers. If you have limited space, limited budget, limited time, or a limited imagination it’s best to err on the side of simple and bold.