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50 Hilarious Advertising Fails You Might Find Hard To Believe Were Actually Approved (New Pics)
Funny,FailsDEC 3, 2024

50 Hilarious Advertising Fails You Might Find Hard To Believe Were Actually Approved (New Pics)

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Mad Men almost managed to convince the world that marketing was made by clever folks in swanky offices, discussing and debating the ins and outs of human wants and needs. Certainly, sometimes that is the case. But there are a lot more ads and companies out there than there are competent marketers.
We’ve gathered some of the most unhinged, cursed and hilarious advertisement fails from across the world. So get comfortable as you scroll through, upvote your favorites and be sure to share your thoughts in the comments below.

#1 Anti-Smoking Ad Accidentally Recommends Quitting The Wrong Thing

Anti-Smoking Ad Accidentally Recommends Quitting The Wrong Thing
112points

#2 Chinese Hair Salon Uses Google Translate To Create An Advertising Banner, But Seems Like Their WiFi Was Down

Chinese Hair Salon Uses Google Translate To Create An Advertising Banner, But Seems Like Their WiFi Was Down
103points

#3 Oh Good, Didn’t Want To Misplace It!

Oh Good, Didn’t Want To Misplace It!
99points

There is a distinctive difference between cheap, unimaginative ads and marketing so terrible that it actively diminishes your brand’s image. Take, for example, a 2015 ad from Bloomingdales, which included the line “Spike your best friend’s eggnog when they’re not looking.”

This is the sort of thing that absolutely begs the question, how did someone think this was ok? Their PR did issue an apology and, in a show of maturity, didn’t just blame it on some rogue marketer. However, the folks calling the shots at Bloomingdales did also approve of this ad, so that raises some questions.

#4 This Habitat For Humanity Van

This Habitat For Humanity Van
91points

#5 If There Is An Award For Advertising, I'm Sure This One Ain't Up For It

If There Is An Award For Advertising, I'm Sure This One Ain't Up For It
90points

#6 Billboard My Wife Found In Indiana

Billboard My Wife Found In Indiana
90points

Some companies will “show” just how much they trust their products by putting themselves at risk. The manufacturers of bulletproof glass come to mind, standing behind their product as someone tests a gun. Very little room for fails here. In 2006, Todd Davis, CEO of LifeLock, a company that sold data protection services put out an ad with his actual social security number.

#7 Boldly Going Where No Man Has Gone Before

Boldly Going Where No Man Has Gone Before
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86points

#8 ‘Oilyfans’ Billboards Show Bp Chief Executive Topless After Earning £10 Million

‘Oilyfans’ Billboards Show Bp Chief Executive Topless After Earning £10 Million
86points

#9 This Ad For Teeth Whitening

This Ad For Teeth Whitening
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85points

The gist was simple, LifeLock’s services were, according to Todd Davis, so effective, that even with his SSN plastered across billboards, scammers and fraudsters would still not be able to do anything. It probably won’t come as a surprise that his identity was stolen over 13 times, and, to add insult to injury, he was made to pay multiple false advertising fines. If your ad is so bad the FTC has to get involved, you messed up.

#10 But... Where Did The Snowflake Come From??

But... Where Did The Snowflake Come From??
84points

#11 I See Your Car Doors And Bus Windows, And Give You This

I See Your Car Doors And Bus Windows, And Give You This
84points

#12 This Large Billboard Of A Random Goat

This Large Billboard Of A Random Goat
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81points

#13 Got The Copy Done For That Billboard

Got The Copy Done For That Billboard
80points

#14 Whoopsie, Shanghai Uses Wrong Poster (Fanmade) To Promote Thor Movie

Whoopsie, Shanghai Uses Wrong Poster (Fanmade) To Promote Thor Movie
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79points

#15 That Is Not How That Works

That Is Not How That Works
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75points

#16 Flew Into Dia The Other Day And Saw This Ad. They're Leaning Into It The Conspiracies And I Am *here* For It

Flew Into Dia The Other Day And Saw This Ad. They're Leaning Into It The Conspiracies And I Am *here* For It
75points

#17 This Ad I Saw Knocking Prince Andrew

This Ad I Saw Knocking Prince Andrew
71points

#18 That's A Lot Of Legs For Three Women

That's A Lot Of Legs For Three Women
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70points

#19 Choose Asia. Choose Wrong

Choose Asia. Choose Wrong
69points

#20 This Ad Caught My Eyes

This Ad Caught My Eyes
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69points
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