From billboards, to those annoying pop-ups that come up when you are trying to beat that stinkin' level in Candy Crush, these are the ads that have failed us.
1. McDonald's new mascot
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Re-branding is never an easy thing to do, but to keep up with the ever-changing economy and way of life, it is something that every business has to go through, even McDonald's. McDonald's had this idea to make a new mascot, which is a good idea. I mean, the Ronald McDonald clown thing was scaring me. But this new mascot, Happy, is making us runaway even farther. I mean look at those eyes *shivers*.
2. Malaysia Airlines: My Ultimate Bucket List Challenge
Great idea! I give them props! Except for one not so small thing: timing. This contest through the Malaysia Airlines started right after two of their planes went missing....oops.
3. U2 & Apple's Forced downloads
I think there can be a collective sigh when we reminisce on this horrendous thing that Apple did with U2. Apple and U2 teamed up to take even more of our precious memory on our Apple products. I think it is safe to say that U2 and Apple's campaign together was a big fail.
4. Cadillac says the truth about Americans
Cadillac tried to make this campaign, which was not the best idea for them. I think what really went down is that a whole bunch of their designers were sitting in a room trying to come up with something new and fresh, but instead, they came up with the fact that Americans are consumerists and thrive in a materialistic culture. With that note, someone was like "Genius! Let's do that!" Um, you failed.
The commercial starts out with a dad walking through his million dollar home, into his backyard, ignoring his kids, and blowing past his wife. Then he has the nerve to say that other nations' work ethic is lacking: "they work, they stroll home, they stop by the cafe, they take August off."
See, America does not like to be told about their flaws. Yes, a lot of us are materialistic, and we are already counting down the days until the iPhone 7 comes out, but we do not like to be told that. America likes to be sugar coated, not have the truth thrown at us. Get it together, Cadillac!
5. Absolut Vodka
Absolut Vodka made a series of advertisements in order to capture a larger Mexican market. They used a picture of a map from the 1800s showing what the U.S. looked like before the Mexican-American War. Unfortunately, from Mexico's perspective, it just looks like if they buy Absolut Vodka then that will help Mexico take back the States again.
6. Pepsi takes on China
When Pepsi was trying to expand its market to China, this ad was the face of Pepsi. Not only was the image bad, but their slogan was "Pepsi brings you back to life." They did not realize that once translated in Chinese, it really said, "Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the grave." I mean, Pepsi, you have one job! It could have been easily avoided too. When a huge company like Pepsi is moving to China, don't you think they would ask a native speaker what their slogan says before they plaster it everywhere?
7. LifeLock, not so locked up
The CEO of LifeLock really wanted to show potential customers that his company does what they are supposed to do. To show that, Todd Davis plastered his social security number everywhere, from billboards, to trucks, to magazines. But the computer hackers and identity thieves were already two steps ahead of him, and stole his identity and a handful of his money. Not only was this campaign bad enough, but LifeLock did not even notice that this happened until a collection agency called up Davis asking him to pay a $500 loan that was fraudulently taken out in his name. I think we have learned two lessons here: 1. Never give out your social security number and 2. Get some better PR.
8. McDonald's is at it again
First the terrifying mascot, and now this horror-movie ready baby( I also hope they did not use a real baby for this)! McDonald's wanted to find a way to show that a new McDonald's location is coming, but instead they just gave the local people another reason not to read billboards and drive at the same time.
9. PETA
Sure, I agree that the whales are in danger of going extinct, but I think this one went a little too far. PETA was starting a summer campaign about saving the whales, but it looks more like they want Americans to lower the obesity rate?
10. Um....what?
Not only is this advertisement not worded correctly, unless your dad is filled with chocolate and love, but it still leaves the viewer with more questions than they originally had. The first question being, "whose dad is filled with chocolate?"
The take away: Bad advertisements and campaigns are everywhere, the people behind these ads are well, people! But I think it can also show that companies are in such a hurry and competition to have the greatest business out there, that they sometimes forget to re-look at what they are telling the consumers. In the meantime, we consumers should spend a little extra time listening to ads on the radio, TV commercials, and those obnoxious pop ads when we are trying to beat Candy Crush; some of those are just too amusing.
