Something to Chew On

When creating an advertisement, your main goal is to leave an impression long enough to encourage the consumer to take action to do what you advertised. But does raunchy billboards and disturbing commercials convince the audience to do so?

Netflix has showcased some peculiar ads about their new original series, Santa Clarita Diet. These ads contain an array of body parts that are decorated as food entrees and is complemented by “punny” headlines.

“Eat Your Heart Out” is served with a heart burger, “Finger Food” is accompanied by a basket of finger fries and a “Grab and Go” is simply an arm burrito. If none of those meals made your mouth water, then there are plenty of other options for you to choose from.

People have complained to Netflix and expressed that the ads are “disgusting” and “anxiety-inducing.” Parents have also voiced their opinion in regards of their children being exposed to such stomach-churning content.

In Germany, a billboard was removed as it made the community nauseous. The ad debuted a dish of a sliced-up finger that was seasoned and served on a wavy white plate.

According to AdWeek, Los Angeles Agency and Company created the bulk of these ads for the series. Their initiative was to introduce the show with a variety of parody fast food ads that had a “zombie twist.” These ads would portray the show as “the right kind of balance of fun and gore”

The series is a comedy-thriller about a realtor couple Sheila (Drew Barrymore) and Joel (Timothy Olyphant) who are facing an uncanny revelation. A life-altering fact that Sheila has now become a part of the undead and can only satisfy her hunger with human flesh.

Santa Clarita Diet was added on Netflix for its public to see on February 3, 2017. The series received a eight out of ten on IGN and a 70 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

In spite of its negative response, its trailer reached two million views on YouTube and the show has offered to shoot a second season.