Reverse psychology is a powerful tool in advertising. By telling someone “don’t imagine a green apple,” they can’t help but picture it. Advertisers use this technique to great effect, presenting arguments opposite to their intent to attract viewers. VisitOslo‘s new viral ad, posted just a day ago, brilliantly employs this strategy. It kicks off with the ironic line, “I wouldn’t want to come here to be honest.”
This type of creativity is rare in tourism ads these days, most of which blend into each other. This is different, a typical understated Norse sense of dry humor. From @VisitOSLO. Well done, more needed in this series. pic.twitter.com/Zc7RcsHdNi
— Rafat Ali, Media Operator & Dad (@rafat) June 24, 2024
Narrated by 31-year-old Oslo resident Halfdan (played by Bendik Lysvåg), the ad is being called an “anti-ad.” Full of irony and dry Norwegian humor, Halfdan walks through Oslo’s highlights while humorously pointing out its “downsides.”
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