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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.

#1

This Ad For Graduation Photography

This Ad For Graduation Photography

box_cardinal_peanut Report

#2

I Pass This Billboard Everyday And Everyday I Think He’s A Vampire

I Pass This Billboard Everyday And Everyday I Think He’s A Vampire

fitygrands Report

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

This Ad Placement

vadge Report

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#4

I Used To Be Able To See The Towel On Her Head

I Used To Be Able To See The Towel On Her Head

mikaelstein Report

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

This Guy Must Be Feeling Pretty Great On This Ad

ErickJail Report

#6

I Think She Should Go To The Hospital Instead Of Booking A Flight

I Think She Should Go To The Hospital Instead Of Booking A Flight

MariaDmnd Report

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.”

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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

Math Is Hard. Don't Let It Get You Down

weinythewhite Report

#8

Well, Now That The Floors Are Clean

Well, Now That The Floors Are Clean

TenacityMan Report

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#9

A Bag Of Apples With A Character On It That Got Poisoned By An Apple

A Bag Of Apples With A Character On It That Got Poisoned By An Apple

Red_Rolo09 Report

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general kenøbi
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just wondering —does anyone know what language this is/ what country it’s in?

Letty Scheld
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I buy these every week at the Dutch Aldi. Delicious are they and not poisoned :-)

Daniel Marsh
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.)

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Samantha Robinson
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Next we're going to see Princess Aurora advertising the latest Spindle design.

Bettye McKee
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

So many comments about the language and none about why Snow White is not a good spokesprincess for apples.

Jesse Lake
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone never saw Disney or read fairy tales.. yikes, some children would refuse to eat these apples or expect to wake up as princess

Rannveig Ess
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was more wondering why she has rolled up newspapers for legs...

Janned
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol, I get these apples all the time and this never crossed my mind. Now I guess I won't be able to unsee it..

Nienke
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am from South Africa and speak Afrikaans. All the words are exactly the same as my language.....

BiColi Erasmus
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually not. "Appeltjes" would have been spelled "Appeltjies" if it was Afrikaans.

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Shireen Maher
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

u know ur apples are good when they've got snow white's seal of approval

The funny one
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OMG I KNOW WHAT THE BOTTOM SAYS " yummy juicy little apples" wow that was hard. Btw its ducth

bookshellf
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look for it in your local grocery store isle between the Cinderella charcoal and Ariel yoga pants.

Znaya
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Maybe they are looking at it from a psychological viewpoint 😀

sanne van Dorst
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

A.J Milne
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For anyone who's wondering: "Kiddies apples. Delicious juicy small apples!

SoozeeQ
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Forget all the arguments about which language it is. What kind of marketing department "guru" decided that this would be a good idea?

Christy Kindness
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Poison apples... The kinder way to go" that's an ad campaign with legs

Peppermint Psaki
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nothing tops the strangeness of KFC choosing foghorn leghorn (the ROOSTER from Looney Toons) to sell FRIED CHICKEN! WITAF were they thinking?!? 🤨

Marissa Wolff
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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Dorothea Ott
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why do so many people think that cursive is a foreign language? 🤔

Marissa Wolff
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whoever is saying that is probably some r******d person who dropped out of elementary school during the first grade.

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Kimberly Potts
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol I was thinking..maybe they mean "kinder" apples then the one Snow-white ate. 🤣

Sudie Faulkner
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's Dutch... The translation on the bag is "Children's apples nice juicy small apples"

Patricia Jhagranie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For a solid, good nite's rest, feed your kids Snow White kinder appeltjes!

S2F Fitness
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, now that the poisoned one is gone we can enjoy the good ones, right?

Daniel Cadman
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would say South Africa, sappige kleine appels (juicy small apples). Never seen this brand though, granted can't afford the expensive stuff.

Johan Barnhoorn
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

Jo Johannsen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At first I thought German but then maybe Flemish or Dutch? Just guessing.

YellowOchre
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment has been deleted.

Grace
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The only ting German about it is the first word. The whole thing is Dutch.

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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?

How Did They Not See This?

barry_the_rotten Report

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#11

Yeah, Very Flexible

Yeah, Very Flexible

Omega_Hamster Report

#12

"Join Hands" To Make Hospitals "Infection Free"

"Join Hands" To Make Hospitals "Infection Free"

bea_easter12_ Report

#13

I’m Certain They Could Have Used A Better Slogan

I’m Certain They Could Have Used A Better Slogan

BeaulaGoo Report

#14

Wow! What A Bargain

Wow! What A Bargain

DjFizz Report

#15

If You’re Going To Use The Dumbbell As An “I” Then You Don’t Need Another “I”

If You’re Going To Use The Dumbbell As An “I” Then You Don’t Need Another “I”

BassAckwards31 Report

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

I Followed This Bus For 4 Blocks To Wait For It To Pull Over To Share This Beautiful Work Of Art

Germantoast33 Report

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#17

Finally, A Shower That Works With My Broken Neck

Finally, A Shower That Works With My Broken Neck

dinglehump Report

#18

Mother-Daughter Bonding At Its Finest

Mother-Daughter Bonding At Its Finest

pochama55 Report

#19

The Implication That This Tooth Has Genitals

The Implication That This Tooth Has Genitals

Dylflon Report

#20

Sometimes The Answer Is In The Box Too

Sometimes The Answer Is In The Box Too

lukeglenn Report

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

Bread So Emo It Slices Itself

BeanMachine0 Report

#22

The Brazilian Vaccination Mascot Looks Like KKK

The Brazilian Vaccination Mascot Looks Like KKK

alan04eu Report

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#23

I Only Saw The Left Window At First And Got Very Confused

I Only Saw The Left Window At First And Got Very Confused

generationfire Report

#24

Let God Arse

Let God Arse

KenNCM Report

#25

It Almost Seems Intentional

It Almost Seems Intentional

Palifaith Report

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

Fantastic Ad Placement

reddit.com Report

#27

We Cut Kids

We Cut Kids

aTerrariaExpert Report

#28

The Quotation Marks On This Sign Gives It A Malevolent Undertone

The Quotation Marks On This Sign Gives It A Malevolent Undertone

sleightlymagical Report

#29

This Guy's Frog Legs Featured In An Ad

This Guy's Frog Legs Featured In An Ad

MeerK4T Report

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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

Saw This Ad For A Shirt That’s Supposed To Say Saturday

virginmary93 Report

#31

"Hide The Pain Harold" Becomes Face Of French Coronavirus "Thank You, Heroes" Campaign

"Hide The Pain Harold" Becomes Face Of French Coronavirus "Thank You, Heroes" Campaign

jeancafecreme Report

#32

This Woman Turning Into A Fish Roll

This Woman Turning Into A Fish Roll

Cream77 Report

#33

Finally A Realistic Mannequins In Women's Lingerie Store

Finally A Realistic Mannequins In Women's Lingerie Store

B_Monster Report

#34

This Monstrosity

This Monstrosity

Hantook Report

#35

Found This In An Ad Today

Found This In An Ad Today

serpin46 Report

#36

Then Why Should I Buy One?

Then Why Should I Buy One?

allyourbaseareoblong Report

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#37

Hard Hats Are For Safety

Hard Hats Are For Safety

CanadianUkr Report

#38

This Colon Cleanse Ad Is So Bad It's Hilarious

This Colon Cleanse Ad Is So Bad It's Hilarious

Svargas05 Report

#39

This Ebay Advertisement For A Sleep Mask Photo Shopped Out Her Nose And Left One Nostril

This Ebay Advertisement For A Sleep Mask Photo Shopped Out Her Nose And Left One Nostril

rosalina888 Report

#40

This Really Odd Advertisement For Transit Around My City (Where Did The Bus Driver Come From?)

This Really Odd Advertisement For Transit Around My City (Where Did The Bus Driver Come From?)

LoveGhostDotEXE Report

#41

Seriously?

Seriously?

GallowBoob Report

#42

Yes, The Earth

Yes, The Earth

boring_space_waffle Report

#43

That’s A Pokemon In The Bag

That’s A Pokemon In The Bag

ungori11 Report

#44

This Library Poster

This Library Poster

holzdnbein Report

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#45

Ah Yes, China, My Favorite Food

Ah Yes, China, My Favorite Food

TheJemcins Report

#46

Actually, On Second Thought, I’m Not So Hungry

Actually, On Second Thought, I’m Not So Hungry

Quillford Report

#47

Enjoy A Nice Massage In A Moving Car With Your Eyes Closed

Enjoy A Nice Massage In A Moving Car With Your Eyes Closed

colorfl0 Report

#48

Probably It's More Convenient This Way

Probably It's More Convenient This Way

Bobik42 Report

#49

Why Would Red Block When He Could Win?

Why Would Red Block When He Could Win?

Chicchac Report

#50

Me And My Clones On The Job

Me And My Clones On The Job

doctor_blob Report

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#51

Not Enough Clean Air In My Convertible

Not Enough Clean Air In My Convertible

hindu05 Report

#52

Yes, That's How A Scale Works

Yes, That's How A Scale Works

yoergo Report

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#53

Someone Paid Money For This To Be Their Sign And Logo/Mascot. I’m Convinced This Is Drug Lord’s Money Laundering Business

Someone Paid Money For This To Be Their Sign And Logo/Mascot. I’m Convinced This Is Drug Lord’s Money Laundering Business

SoDakZak Report

#54

Taste The Feeling

Taste The Feeling

dudelsac Report

#55

I Can't Even Figure Out What They're Trying To Say

I Can't Even Figure Out What They're Trying To Say

ToastyBooty Report

#56

Disney Font Puts The Fun In Funeral

Disney Font Puts The Fun In Funeral

rageagainsthevagene Report

#57

Somehow Spiderman Is Able To Keep A Hot Drink In His Cup While Upside Down

Somehow Spiderman Is Able To Keep A Hot Drink In His Cup While Upside Down

Speeider Report

#58

A “Save Water” Ad Which Makes You Spit On The Poor Kid’s Face While Brushing

A “Save Water” Ad Which Makes You Spit On The Poor Kid’s Face While Brushing

Kapikap0906 Report

#59

Only One Of These Will Save Your Life

Only One Of These Will Save Your Life

_waffleiron Report

#60

That Elbow Is The Stuff Of Nightmares

That Elbow Is The Stuff Of Nightmares

Abandoned-Potato Report

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#61

“Make The Athlete Look Like She’s In Motion”

“Make The Athlete Look Like She’s In Motion”

kronograf Report

#62

This Cancer Center's Ad

This Cancer Center's Ad

jujjyfruit Report

#63

Why Is The Phone Inside The Photo

Why Is The Phone Inside The Photo

MrSegwayMan Report

#64

All Ye Shall Come To Me For The Healing Of Burgers

All Ye Shall Come To Me For The Healing Of Burgers

deadpoolyes Report

#65

Someone Didn't Quite Think That One All The Way Through

Someone Didn't Quite Think That One All The Way Through

gerald1 Report

#66

10/10 Cable Management

10/10 Cable Management

RonanAMA2013 Report

#67

Yes I Am Human With Human Wife And I Do Sleep Like Humans Do

Yes I Am Human With Human Wife And I Do Sleep Like Humans Do

lachlantopcat Report

#68

This Laptop Stand That Is Very Poorly Photoshopped In And Not Even Being Used

This Laptop Stand That Is Very Poorly Photoshopped In And Not Even Being Used

Doeljan11 Report

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#69

My Movie Theater Tried Ok?

My Movie Theater Tried Ok?

ginseng72 Report

#70

Superb Ad Placement At Stuttgart International Airport

Superb Ad Placement At Stuttgart International Airport

Spetchen Report

#71

Found The World's Smallest Hands While Looking For A WiFi Adapter

Found The World's Smallest Hands While Looking For A WiFi Adapter

xK3V1Nix Report

#72

Isn’t This Considered Murder?

Isn’t This Considered Murder?

Xephia Report

#73

Should've Said It Out Loud

Should've Said It Out Loud

Whoppertino Report

#74

An Image Of A Kitchen Pot Rack That I Came Across On Ebay

An Image Of A Kitchen Pot Rack That I Came Across On Ebay

CactusBoyScout Report

#75

This Chinese Ad For A Pepper Mill

This Chinese Ad For A Pepper Mill

burgerfar Report

#76

Ben Ten Didn't Deserve This

Ben Ten Didn't Deserve This

nutty45 Report

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#77

This Whole Ad Is A Trainwreck

This Whole Ad Is A Trainwreck

Primus8773 Report

#78

“How Should We Advertise These Apple Sticks?” “Stick Em In Some Corn Or Something”

“How Should We Advertise These Apple Sticks?” “Stick Em In Some Corn Or Something”

OrangeLandi Report

#79

Either The Smallest Golden In History Or The Feeder Is For Storing A Lifetime Supply Of Food

Either The Smallest Golden In History Or The Feeder Is For Storing A Lifetime Supply Of Food

goonie_lover Report

#80

Art On Netflix For “Seventh Son.” I Laughed Way Harder Than I Should’ve

Art On Netflix For “Seventh Son.” I Laughed Way Harder Than I Should’ve

ishipdrarry Report

#81

Do Not Look Away At The Road

Do Not Look Away At The Road

avidbirdpointerouter Report

#82

This Instagram Ad Celebrating Your Crippling Debt

This Instagram Ad Celebrating Your Crippling Debt

MLutsenko Report

#83

From Real Lawn To Virtual Golf Course From 1992 In Just 6-8 Days

From Real Lawn To Virtual Golf Course From 1992 In Just 6-8 Days

extroverthomunculus Report

#84

Kix Cereal Box Has A Masked Out Spoon To Give The Illusion There’s Cereal On Top

Kix Cereal Box Has A Masked Out Spoon To Give The Illusion There’s Cereal On Top

beerguy_etcetera Report

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#85

"Well I Gotta Use My Free Trial Of Photoshop For Something" Said The Intern

"Well I Gotta Use My Free Trial Of Photoshop For Something" Said The Intern

OTOD_tag Report

#86

This Child On An Advertisement In Germany

This Child On An Advertisement In Germany

FireLord_112 Report

#87

Someone Doesn't Know How Hangman Works

Someone Doesn't Know How Hangman Works

TheSexyPizza Report