A Trip Out to Sea by Guy Cotten A Trip Out to Sea by Guy Cotten
A Trip Out to Sea by Guy Cotten A Trip Out to Sea by Guy Cotten
A Trip Out to Sea by Guy Cotten A Trip Out to Sea by Guy Cotten
A Trip Out to Sea by Guy Cotten A Trip Out to Sea by Guy Cotten
A Trip Out to Sea by Guy Cotten A Trip Out to Sea by Guy Cotten

The drowned man: Campaign uses fear to sell life jackets

29 : 04 : 2014 Scare Marketing : Interactive Video : Transmedia Futures

Paris – A day at sea turns into a realistic nightmare in an interactive ad for Guy Cotten, a purveyor of aquatic sports apparel.

In an online drowning simulator, viewers take on the role of Julien who is out at sea with his friend Charles. An act of incompetence means that the boom knocks you overboard, and from there you are instructed to 'scroll up' to keep yourself afloat. As your arms tire from swimming (and in reality your fingers tire from scrolling on your mouse), you sink and Julien's life flashes before your eyes. You see his wife, the sea and then the bottom of the ocean because Julien has drowned.

The message at the end, 'At sea, you tire faster than you think. Whenever you go out to sea, wear your life jacket', is the perfect prompt to lead you to Guy Cotten's website, where you can purchase life jackets. This is a prime example of Scare Marketing whereby a brand uses fear to drive consumers to them for comfort, and in this case, for safety. 

Discover More Daily Signals
The Trend:  Masculinity Reset Retreats

Daily Signals

The Trend: Masculinity Reset Retreats

Men’s mental wellbeing retreats are reshaping modern masculinity, focusing on mindfulness, movement and meaningful male friendships.
Travel : Health And Wellness : Hospitality
The Big Idea: Brand Innovation Debrief: Aman

Daily Signals

The Big Idea: Brand Innovation Debrief: Aman

Aman epitomises ultra-luxury hospitality, blending serene design, bespoke service and rare experiences for a devoted high-net-worth clientele.
Travel : Hospitality : Hotel
The Campaign: Unplugged and Munya Chawawa turn to humour to tackle Britain’s screen addiction

Daily Signals

The Campaign: Unplugged and Munya Chawawa turn to humour to tackle Britain’s screen addiction

Unplugged, the digital detox brand behind off-grid cabins that lock away phones and reconnect guests with nature, has teamed up with comedian Munya...
Travel : Cannes Lions 2025: The Unhinged Humour Opportunity : Digital Detox
The Viewpoint: The New Youth Club

Daily Signals

The Viewpoint: The New Youth Club

Opened in April 2025, Moot is a membership-based youth space in northwest London redefining the concept of youth clubs for a generation seeking rea...
Travel : Hospitality : Youth
The Space: Mad Swans ushers in a new era for golf and hospitality in the UK

Daily Signals

The Space: Mad Swans ushers in a new era for golf and hospitality in the UK

Mad Swans is an innovative countryside destination by Longshot on the Mendip Hills in southwest England that opened in October 2025 to offer a fres...
Travel : Sports : Health And Wellness
The Trend:  Romantic Anarchy

Daily Signals

The Trend:  Romantic Anarchy

Younger generations are rewriting the rules of romance – approaching love with equal parts idealism and irreverence.
Pop Culture : Media : Romance
The Big Idea: Branding in the Age of Elasticity

Daily Signals

The Big Idea: Branding in the Age of Elasticity

As the Western world enters a time of cultural volatility and political division, brands face a choice: retreat, react or re-root.  
Pop Culture : Media : Branding
The Viewpoint: Trad Love and a 19th century foresight framework for romance

Daily Signals

The Viewpoint: Trad Love and a 19th century foresight framework for romance

Pop Culture : Media : Dating
The Space: Why Netflix’s restaurant residency in Las Vegas speaks to fandoms

Daily Signals

The Space: Why Netflix’s restaurant residency in Las Vegas speaks to fandoms

Netflix expanding its entertainment empire into immersive dining in late 2025 with Netflix Bites Vegas, a year-long residency at MGM Grand in Las V...
Pop Culture : Media : Netflix
The Campaign: Instagram champions creative risk-taking with star-studded global campaign

Daily Signals

The Campaign: Instagram champions creative risk-taking with star-studded global campaign

As Instagram approached its 15th anniversary, the platform has launched a new campaign spotlighting creativity on social media.
Pop Culture : Media : Entertainment
You have 1 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN