Subvertising
 Subvertising  (protest)   | |
|---|---|
 A subvertisement of an advertisement of the UK Army | |
| Interest of | Adbusters |
Subvertising is the subversion of advertising. The aim is to make small, subtle changes to a billboard which make big changes to its effect. The two main methods are addition of a word, phrase, logo etc e.g. by spray can, or the replacement of an advert by an alternative but similar one.
Contents
Creators
David Graeber writes in Bullshit Jobs about workers in the advertising "industry who resent what they are made to do for a living and wish to use the powers they’ve acquired in advertising for good instead of evil — for instance, by designing flashy “subvertising” that attacks consumer culture as a whole."
Methods
The Billboard Liberation Front[1] has written that "a can of spray paint, a blithe spirit, and a balmy night are all your really need" but has nevertheless published a guide about target selection, planning, tactics, personnel and publicity.[2]
COVID-19 vaccine
- Full article: “COVID-19/Vaccine”
- Full article: “COVID-19/Vaccine”
The unprecedented campaign to promote COVID-19 vaccines has inspired resistance in the form of subvertising.
"War on Terror"
- Full article:
“War on Terror”
- Full article:
The "War on Terror", launched by the 9-11 event, was an aggressive effort to promote fear and change social norms. This energy has inspired activists to use subvertising to encourage people to rethink it and question its goals.
Adverts
Consumerism
The vacuuity of some consumerist adverts makes it an easy target for subvertising.
