I recently came across a new advert in the fight against HIV/Aids but has it crossed a dangerous line? Firstly, it is quite a risque advert and even I was shocked when I first watched it, not because of the fact that Hitlers face makes a surprising entrance but that the ad itself bordered on pornographic. Aids organizations and charities are up in arms saying that it puts a stigma on people living with the disease, I think they've missed the point. They are comparing the virus to a mass murderer not people living with the virus.
The commercial was produced by the young Hamburg-based advertising agency das committee on behalf of a small German Aids awareness group called Regenbogen e.V.
The group could not be contacted for comment but defended its controversial approach on the "AIDS is a mass murder" website. "The campaign is designed to shake people up, to bring the topic of Aids back to center stage, and to reverse the trend of unprotected sexual intercourse. Because anyone can become infected," the website states.
I think that controversy is what is needed when it comes to this disease. People are still under the impression that it wont happen to them and when you watch an advert like this, it strikes a cord. It might seem like drastic measures to some but for others it's the wake up call that is so desperately needed.
Here is the Advert, decide for yourself and I'd love to hear your comments:
