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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.

This post may include affiliate links.

#1

This Ad For Graduation Photography

This Ad For Graduation Photography

box_cardinal_peanut Report

Final score:
577points
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#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

Final score:
574points
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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

Final score:
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Luisa Vasconcelos
Luisa Vasconcelos
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This looks like my phone, everything I even think about something, out of nothing come all the advertising.

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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

Final score:
543points
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Christian Bradshaw
Christian Bradshaw
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I showed this to my sister, and the look on her face quickly went from bored to horrified in a hilarious few seconds

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

If you didn’t say there was a towel I would have never known hahah

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

Yeah, the advertisers should have used colored, or checkered towels. Poor thinking on someone's profession.

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

How to get this haircut at home: Step 1: Shave both sides of your head, avoid the middle. Step 2: use a CRAZY amount of hair gel to mold your hair into the shape and let it dry. Step 3: YOUR DONE! note: dont try dis at home this is only for comedic and joke purposes.

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

I could too until I read the title. Then the towel disappeared!

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

Looks like a bad photoshop job because of the color blending in.

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

Took me few seconds n rotating my phone before I saw the towel over her head! 😅

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

She looks so happy about it! And the top of her head is HUGE!

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

What towel? Ohhhh you have to squint. Well till alfalfa hears about this one.

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

do you think she got that at a cut price? I would be embarrassed if that was me slapped all over the place! I would at least walk around with a permanent marker.

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

Classic. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/9640586682836028/

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

Now that you mention it she looks like alfalfa 😀

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

OMG! WHAT is that supposed to represent, a new hair style for women?

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

I can only imagine what the model thought when she saw it. Bystander: "We could hear that scream for miles..."

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

Initially I SAW the towel on her head, when I read the title, it went to hell, that's all i can see Now!

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

dont worry guys shes a karen. she'll ask for a refund and demand a time machine to go back in time. then she'll sue the barber.

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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

Final score:
542points
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#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

Final score:
529points
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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

Final score:
498points
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#8

Well, Now That The Floors Are Clean

Well, Now That The Floors Are Clean

TenacityMan Report

Final score:
495points
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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

Final score:
487points
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general kenøbi
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?

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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

Final score:
474points
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#11

Yeah, Very Flexible

Yeah, Very Flexible

Omega_Hamster Report

Final score:
452points
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#12

"Join Hands" To Make Hospitals "Infection Free"

"Join Hands" To Make Hospitals "Infection Free"

bea_easter12_ Report

Final score:
450points
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#13

I’m Certain They Could Have Used A Better Slogan

I’m Certain They Could Have Used A Better Slogan

BeaulaGoo Report

Final score:
449points
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#14

Wow! What A Bargain

Wow! What A Bargain

DjFizz Report

Final score:
442points
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#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

Final score:
418points
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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

Final score:
413points
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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

Final score:
410points
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#18

Mother-Daughter Bonding At Its Finest

Mother-Daughter Bonding At Its Finest

pochama55 Report

Final score:
405points
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#19

The Implication That This Tooth Has Genitals

The Implication That This Tooth Has Genitals

Dylflon Report

Final score:
397points
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#20

Sometimes The Answer Is In The Box Too

Sometimes The Answer Is In The Box Too

lukeglenn Report

Final score:
377points
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fijinole avatar
Chris Hardtke
Chris Hardtke
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do you really need to cheat by going outside the grid AFTER you took 6 turns to your opponent’s 3?

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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

Final score:
368points
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#22

The Brazilian Vaccination Mascot Looks Like KKK

The Brazilian Vaccination Mascot Looks Like KKK

alan04eu Report

Final score:
358points
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chi-weishen avatar
chi-wei shen
chi-wei shen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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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

Final score:
355points
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Mah
Mah
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Die for succes, Sel sful living. its so beautiful :')

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#24

Let God Arse

Let God Arse

KenNCM Report

Final score:
335points
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Shazz Winchester
Shazz Winchester
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

took me a minute to figure out the sword is meant to be an 'I' and it's Thursday, not even a Monday #PrayForMe

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#25

It Almost Seems Intentional

It Almost Seems Intentional

Palifaith Report

Final score:
333points
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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

Final score:
327points
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#27

We Cut Kids

We Cut Kids

aTerrariaExpert Report

Final score:
325points
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chi-weishen avatar
chi-wei shen
chi-wei shen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why girls instead of women? They also wrote men, not boys.

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#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

Final score:
324points
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#29

This Guy's Frog Legs Featured In An Ad

This Guy's Frog Legs Featured In An Ad

MeerK4T Report

Final score:
317points
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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

Final score:
317points
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chi-weishen avatar
chi-wei shen
chi-wei shen
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

An advertisement has to be remembered and who would forget a turd?

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#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

Final score:
307points
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Code_002.2
Code_002.2
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There not wearing masks.... oh it that the one dude from that meme?

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#32

This Woman Turning Into A Fish Roll

This Woman Turning Into A Fish Roll

Cream77 Report

Final score:
302points
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#33

Finally A Realistic Mannequins In Women's Lingerie Store

Finally A Realistic Mannequins In Women's Lingerie Store

B_Monster Report

Final score:
293points
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#34

This Monstrosity

This Monstrosity

Hantook Report

Final score:
289points
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captaindash avatar
Full Name
Full Name
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Left - right, up - down, backwards, in no direction does this make sense.

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#35

Found This In An Ad Today

Found This In An Ad Today

serpin46 Report

Final score:
288points
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#36

Then Why Should I Buy One?

Then Why Should I Buy One?

allyourbaseareoblong Report

Final score:
282points
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#37

Hard Hats Are For Safety

Hard Hats Are For Safety

CanadianUkr Report

Final score:
271points
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#38

This Colon Cleanse Ad Is So Bad It's Hilarious

This Colon Cleanse Ad Is So Bad It's Hilarious

Svargas05 Report

Final score:
269points
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#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

Final score:
260points
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#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

Final score:
258points
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#41

Seriously?

Seriously?

GallowBoob Report

Final score:
251points
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#42

Yes, The Earth

Yes, The Earth

boring_space_waffle Report

Final score:
250points
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Raine Soo
Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nevermind the moon, what is that blob on the table?

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#43

That’s A Pokemon In The Bag

That’s A Pokemon In The Bag

ungori11 Report

Final score:
246points
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#44

This Library Poster

This Library Poster

holzdnbein Report

Final score:
237points
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Laura Mende
Laura Mende
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Looking at these ads, i'm sure they're smoking something. Maybe a clichee but a true one. 😂😂

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#45

Ah Yes, China, My Favorite Food

Ah Yes, China, My Favorite Food

TheJemcins Report

Final score:
235points
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#46

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

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

Quillford Report

Final score:
233points
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#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

Final score:
230points
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#48

Probably It's More Convenient This Way

Probably It's More Convenient This Way

Bobik42 Report

Final score:
216points
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Sum Guy
Sum Guy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is what happens when you get a model who has never seen sugar do your ad

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#49

Why Would Red Block When He Could Win?

Why Would Red Block When He Could Win?

Chicchac Report

Final score:
210points
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#50

Me And My Clones On The Job

Me And My Clones On The Job

doctor_blob Report

Final score:
208points
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Thijs L.
Thijs L.
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

tbh, with the slogan it does make sense, the slogan says, 1 contact, 1 team, ie. you speak to one person and via them you contact the entire team

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