Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
There’s good advertising that makes you convinced you can’t live without the product or service. Then, there's excellent advertising that proves it’s a form of art, just like these mind-bending and clever billboard ads.
And then, you've got hilariously bad advertising. When you see one, you know it. Whether it’s product placing that has gone wrong, a slogan that sounds way off, or an overall design that gives people second and third thoughts, these are the ad fails worthy of the prize.
So let’s buckle up for a fun ride which is basically a masterclass on how not to “create and produce an ad,” as compiled in this list by Bored Panda. Take notes, kids, it’s about to get heavy.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
This Ad For Graduation Photography
RELATED:
#2
I Pass This Billboard Everyday And Everyday I Think He’s A Vampire
There are so many ways an advertising campaign, a billboard, a print ad, and a commercial can go wrong. But one of the greatest faux pas is “false advertising.” The term refers to ads that use misleading, dishonest, and plain “false” assumptions in their content in order to promote or market products and services.
One should remember to respect the consumers who, as a result of the ad, may feel lied to and fooled. Such negative ads rapidly create a very bad image of a brand, and it can lead to various biases about it.
As a result, sales immediately suffer and it takes ages to gain back consumers’ trust in the brand. Thus, false advertising is one of the most dangerous mistakes you can make while advertising your product and it never, ever pays off.
#3
This Ad Placement
Luisa Vasconcelos 3 years ago
This looks like my phone, everything I even think about something, out of nothing come all the advertising.
#4
I Used To Be Able To See The Towel On Her Head
Another form of unethical advertising is ads that employ misrepresentation of a product or a service in a way that use a subliminal message to fit the brand's hidden agenda. These kinds of ads often use deception and manipulation to make consumers want their product or service and believe they can't live without it.
For example, Reebok launched an infamous “Cheat On Your Girlfriend, Not Your Workout” ad campaign back to 2012 and received immediate backlash. Initially, the ad was intended to motivate consumers, but in turn, it spread the wrong message and encouraged infidelity.
#5
This Guy Must Be Feeling Pretty Great On This Ad
#6
I Think She Should Go To The Hospital Instead Of Booking A Flight
The sportswear brand acknowledged the ad was offensive and pulled it, as many consumers were boycotting the brand. They wrote an open letter that stated: “This form of advertising shows a dishonest and disrespectful attitude towards women and your company should be ashamed to have even placed this ad in various places thinking it would be perceived in any other way.”
Moreover, the Federal Trade Commission deemed the campaign false advertising in its unsubstantiated claims about exercise benefits, and Reebok was made to pay a $25 million fine.
#7
Math Is Hard. Don't Let It Get You Down
#8
Well, Now That The Floors Are Clean
#9
A Bag Of Apples With A Character On It That Got Poisoned By An Apple
general kenøbi 3 years ago
Just wondering —does anyone know what language this is/ what country it’s in?
chi-wei shen 3 years ago
It's Dutch and it means "delicious, juicy little apples".
Load More Replies...
Letty Scheld 3 years ago
I buy these every week at the Dutch Aldi. Delicious are they and not poisoned :-)
Daniel Marsh 3 years ago
Delicious are they? From Yoda learn English did you? (I don't mean to make fun of one tiny error in your English. I just like Yoda.)
Load More Replies...
Samantha Robinson 3 years ago (edited)
Next we're going to see Princess Aurora advertising the latest Spindle design.
Bettye McKee 3 years ago
So many comments about the language and none about why Snow White is not a good spokesprincess for apples.
Jesse Lake 3 years ago (edited)
There's an orchard near where I live called "Snow White Orchards". My wife thought it was clever. Me: "Clever? Clever how?" Her: "Because Snow White ate an apple." Me: "Snow White ... ate a *poisoned* apple." Her: "Oh yeah. That's messed up."
Cybele Spanjaard 3 years ago
Someone never saw Disney or read fairy tales.. yikes, some children would refuse to eat these apples or expect to wake up as princess
Nienke 3 years ago
I am from South Africa and speak Afrikaans. All the words are exactly the same as my language.....
BiColi Erasmus 3 years ago (edited)
Actually not. "Appeltjes" would have been spelled "Appeltjies" if it was Afrikaans.
Load More Replies...
Shireen Maher 3 years ago
u know ur apples are good when they've got snow white's seal of approval
The funny one 3 years ago
OMG I KNOW WHAT THE BOTTOM SAYS " yummy juicy little apples" wow that was hard. Btw its ducth
bookshellf 3 years ago
well I mean, it does look good. Anything that has Disney princess on it is 5x better. When I was a kid I liked strawberry-flavor milk and the carton had a Cinderella. I felt special! Lol
Pored Banda 3 years ago
Look for it in your local grocery store isle between the Cinderella charcoal and Ariel yoga pants.
SoozeeQ 3 years ago
Forget all the arguments about which language it is. What kind of marketing department "guru" decided that this would be a good idea?
Sue User 3 years ago
Because if she endorses them, they must be good. Marketing logic.
Load More Replies...
Christy Kindness 2 years ago
"Poison apples... The kinder way to go" that's an ad campaign with legs
Peppermint Psaki 2 years ago
Nothing tops the strangeness of KFC choosing foghorn leghorn (the ROOSTER from Looney Toons) to sell FRIED CHICKEN! WITAF were they thinking?!? 🤨
Marissa Wolff 1 year ago
I thought that was just a Family Guy joke, but I just looked it up and....yeah, you're right. Foghorn DID actually advertise KFC. That WAS a messed up thing KFC did.
Load More Replies...
Marissa Wolff 1 year ago
Whoever is saying that is probably some r******d person who dropped out of elementary school during the first grade.
Load More Replies...
Kimberly Potts 2 years ago
Lol I was thinking..maybe they mean "kinder" apples then the one Snow-white ate. 🤣
Sudie Faulkner 2 years ago
It's Dutch... The translation on the bag is "Children's apples nice juicy small apples"
Patricia Jhagranie 2 years ago
This was in 2020 from the supermarket Aldi. They had a Disney theme so a variety of healthy products with a Disney figure on it to stimulate childeren to eat healthier. The Aldi is a German Discount supermarket over here in The Netherlands. And the language is just Dutch. Every supermarket sells kinder appels 🍎
S2F Fitness 3 years ago
For a solid, good nite's rest, feed your kids Snow White kinder appeltjes!
S2F Fitness 3 years ago
Couldn't have found a better spokesperson or mascot for the product... Eat your apples like me kids so you can ditch the duds and meet a prince
Micaela Morrigan 3 years ago
Well, now that the poisoned one is gone we can enjoy the good ones, right?
Daniel Cadman 3 years ago
I would say South Africa, sappige kleine appels (juicy small apples). Never seen this brand though, granted can't afford the expensive stuff.
Signe Manat Hansen 3 years ago
"children's apples delicious juicy small apples"
Load More Replies...
Jo Johannsen 3 years ago
At first I thought German but then maybe Flemish or Dutch? Just guessing.
Grace 3 years ago
The only ting German about it is the first word. The whole thing is Dutch.
Load More Replies...
Another controversial ad example that made a tremendous negative impact on brand image was the series of ads by Protein World released 5 years ago in London Underground. One of its posters asking "Are you beach body ready?" caused public outrage and even sparked vigilante acts of vandalism.
There were 378 official complaints regarding the body-shaming campaign filed to the UK's Advertising Standards Authority. Moreover, a petition to have the ads removed was launched, and demonstrations followed.
#10
How Did They Not See This?
#11
Yeah, Very Flexible
#12
"Join Hands" To Make Hospitals "Infection Free"
#13
I’m Certain They Could Have Used A Better Slogan
#14
Wow! What A Bargain
#15
If You’re Going To Use The Dumbbell As An “I” Then You Don’t Need Another “I”
In 2017, Dove released an ad clip on Facebook for Dove body wash where a black woman was pictured removing her top and morphing into a white woman after she used the product. Such portrayal was not only horrendously racist, it promoted “whitewashing” and sparked a well-deserved outrage.
Coming from a powerhouse like Dove, which, according to their slogan, champions "real beauty," the ad seriously damaged the brand's reputation.
#16
I Followed This Bus For 4 Blocks To Wait For It To Pull Over To Share This Beautiful Work Of Art
#17
Finally, A Shower That Works With My Broken Neck
#18
Mother-Daughter Bonding At Its Finest
#19
The Implication That This Tooth Has Genitals
#20
Sometimes The Answer Is In The Box Too
Chris Hardtke 3 years ago
Do you really need to cheat by going outside the grid AFTER you took 6 turns to your opponent’s 3?
According to the Online Marketing Institute, “bad commercials often try for a quality that the good ones have, and fall short of the mark, or else lack it completely.” And one of the worst things you can do as a brand building an ad campaign is treating your customers like fools, which “means talking down to them and trivializing their values, beliefs, or experiences.”
#21
Bread So Emo It Slices Itself
#22
The Brazilian Vaccination Mascot Looks Like KKK
chi-wei shen 3 years ago
Even though it looks creepy you have to take into account that there is no KKK in Brazil and most Brazilians wouldn't think about KKK.
#23
I Only Saw The Left Window At First And Got Very Confused
#24
Let God Arse
Shazz Winchester 3 years ago
took me a minute to figure out the sword is meant to be an 'I' and it's Thursday, not even a Monday #PrayForMe
#25
It Almost Seems Intentional
In reality, consumers are humans and a good ad needs a human touch to it to be convincing, appealing, and interesting. Sometimes, though, brands decide to take a shortcut into consumers' hearts by manipulating their feelings, which in turn results in lazy, tone-deaf, and appalling advertising disasters.
#26
Fantastic Ad Placement
#27
We Cut Kids
#28
The Quotation Marks On This Sign Gives It A Malevolent Undertone
#29
This Guy's Frog Legs Featured In An Ad
Creating a good ad is somewhat of a form of art, and although mistakes happen even to the best of us, some are forgivable, and others, not so much. In the end, the sales and brand perception tell it all.
#30
Saw This Ad For A Shirt That’s Supposed To Say Saturday
#31
"Hide The Pain Harold" Becomes Face Of French Coronavirus "Thank You, Heroes" Campaign
#32
This Woman Turning Into A Fish Roll
#33
Finally A Realistic Mannequins In Women's Lingerie Store
#34
This Monstrosity
#35
Found This In An Ad Today
#36
Then Why Should I Buy One?
#37
Hard Hats Are For Safety
#38
This Colon Cleanse Ad Is So Bad It's Hilarious
#39
This Ebay Advertisement For A Sleep Mask Photo Shopped Out Her Nose And Left One Nostril
#40
This Really Odd Advertisement For Transit Around My City (Where Did The Bus Driver Come From?)
#41
Seriously?
#42
Yes, The Earth
#43
That’s A Pokemon In The Bag
#44
This Library Poster
Laura Mende 3 years ago
Looking at these ads, i'm sure they're smoking something. Maybe a clichee but a true one. 😂😂
#45
Ah Yes, China, My Favorite Food
#46
Actually, On Second Thought, I’m Not So Hungry
#47
Enjoy A Nice Massage In A Moving Car With Your Eyes Closed
#48
Probably It's More Convenient This Way
#49
Why Would Red Block When He Could Win?
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Michael A. Brown 3 years ago
My stomach hurts from trying NOT to laugh as much!
Load More Replies...
Immortal Emperor Paradox 3 years ago
Boredpanda comment section seems to be getting a little poisonous. Not everyone is good at english, and some people make mistakes. But people just rush to that particular post's comment section and explode about how the OP were shitty people. Bro, you came here to chill, so just do that. Don't show off your righteousness here.
Karen Wenzel 3 years ago
"In 2017, Dove released an ad clip on Facebook for Dove body wash where a black woman was pictured removing her top and morphing into a white woman" um no. do your homework. that ad showed different women with each shirt pull. stop making s**t racist that absolutely isnt.
Steve Wilson 3 years ago
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/south-dakota-s-meth-we-re-it-campaign-funny-state-n1086071 An official state sponsored campaign in South Dakota.
Shana Jones 2 years ago
This was excellent! I came here looking for material for a student and ended up getting a good laugh. Well put together and well captioned!
Ginger Lancaster 3 years ago
Some if them really make u wonder. Cluelessness or extremely dark humor?
Ellie Giberson 3 years ago
Seriously have tears running down my face 😂 Haven't laughed this hard in a long time
GoddessOdd 3 years ago
These could be worse, at least they're not insulting . . . just dumb. I am old enough to remember some really horrible advertisements... men spanking their wives for buying the wrong coffee...the "my wife, I think I'll keep her" campaign for Geritol and the whole "happy women in pearls and heels dancing while scrubbing toilets" thing they did back then.
Michael A. Brown 3 years ago
My stomach hurts from trying NOT to laugh as much!
Load More Replies... Immortal Emperor Paradox 3 years ago
Boredpanda comment section seems to be getting a little poisonous. Not everyone is good at english, and some people make mistakes. But people just rush to that particular post's comment section and explode about how the OP were shitty people. Bro, you came here to chill, so just do that. Don't show off your righteousness here.
Karen Wenzel 3 years ago
"In 2017, Dove released an ad clip on Facebook for Dove body wash where a black woman was pictured removing her top and morphing into a white woman" um no. do your homework. that ad showed different women with each shirt pull. stop making s**t racist that absolutely isnt.
Steve Wilson 3 years ago
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/south-dakota-s-meth-we-re-it-campaign-funny-state-n1086071 An official state sponsored campaign in South Dakota.
Shana Jones 2 years ago
This was excellent! I came here looking for material for a student and ended up getting a good laugh. Well put together and well captioned!
Ginger Lancaster 3 years ago
Some if them really make u wonder. Cluelessness or extremely dark humor?
Ellie Giberson 3 years ago
Seriously have tears running down my face 😂 Haven't laughed this hard in a long time
GoddessOdd 3 years ago
These could be worse, at least they're not insulting . . . just dumb. I am old enough to remember some really horrible advertisements... men spanking their wives for buying the wrong coffee...the "my wife, I think I'll keep her" campaign for Geritol and the whole "happy women in pearls and heels dancing while scrubbing toilets" thing they did back then.
You May Like 50 Hilarious Advertising Fails You Might Find Hard To Believe Were Actually Approved (New Pics) “Die In A Minute”: 40 Times Autocorrect Made A Mess From A Normal Text 50 People Who Probably Had A Worse Day Than You, Thanks To These Home Improvement Fails (New Pics)
Eglė Bliabaitė
Ilona Baliūnaitė
Ingrida Jasiukevičiūtė
Related on Bored Panda
