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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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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

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.

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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.

#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.”

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

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kevinkgoertzen avatar
K Killian
Community Member
3 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hello. My name is Samantha and I've been addition free for 17 days...or is it 18...one week is 7 days...two weeks...7+7...s**t!

blue1steven avatar
Donkey boi
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm very divided on this one, I feel subtracted from message!

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

Getting to the root of the problem should be your prime interest. Square it all out.

jlk103144 avatar
John L
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone should make it a full time habit to check their spelling before finalizing the post. Granted, there are countless adults, who have real problems with simple Addition/Subtraction, much less division/multiplication.

gracie-morgantini avatar
Bisexuali-tea
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

i swear....that one symbol "+" puts me in a deep state of depression that i just cant get out of. i guess that's the best way to sum it up....

pmnovack avatar
Kanga9ine
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dad graduated from Notre Dame with an Electrical Engineering Degree, a slide rule, pocket protectors and a half dozen ink stained shirts from the Notre Dame University. I was about forty when I told him I had never taken Algebra and asked him to explain it to me. Tension on both our parts, when he blurts out " we've been at this for twenty minutes!!!! What's the problem!?!?" I'm forty ftiggin' years old old and X O O o

vincecooper1969 avatar
Marissa Wolff
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Addition wasn't what gave me depression, it was actually algebra that did.

jeanpeterson avatar
Jp@nda
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's so obviously photoshopped just look at how the right side dips in and you can see the lightened line where they edited it going vertically

drolltimes avatar
Klaatu Verrata (Cough)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Always knew my lack of math skills was an AFFLICTION. Glad to see they've upgraded it to "DISEASE".

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

My daughter who is horrible at math would totally appreciate this blunder

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

I coulda used this for Algebra and made something of myself...🤭 sorry...✌

s2ffitness avatar
S2F Fitness
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well we know they have palms at Palm Partners Recovery Center, but do they have fingers to count the ways they fumbled this ad?

s2ffitness avatar
S2F Fitness
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh wow. Please do tell me again, how exactly did you get a job in this field?

s2ffitness avatar
S2F Fitness
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Living with addition? It's as bad as confusing they're, there and their in English....when that's the only language you speak.

s2ffitness avatar
S2F Fitness
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Somehow this ad doesn't instill a lot of confidence in the organization's ability to help... This ad gets a minus.

kathy_1 avatar
Kathy
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, tough - get used to it, no power in life is gonna change that to any fraction of a degree! I've been living with it for a number of years now - every birthday adds another year to my age and subtracts another year from my life expectancy, multiplying my woes and dividing my attention! Sorry to sound so negative, but this whole question is calculated to result in my losing focus, plus I'm fairly positive that is the sum total of my knowledge on the subject...

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

Yes. I have math 7th period and it's killing my life.

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

It took me longer than I'm proud to say to find the screw up with this advertisement..

blue39503 avatar
Fred Burrows
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are multiple factors involved in getting to the square root of the problem.

anngam1043 avatar
Annamay
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always had trouble with addition, but algebra ...that was a killer

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

auuuughhh!!! 1+1= get me TF off of this roller coaster ride of addition!!!

coertzemia avatar
Crazy Meerkat Lady
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Some people cannot live with another addition to the family and then seek help....

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

in this equation something isnt ADDing up. *im sorry i had to*

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

The centre could have its pluses. It might get to the (square) root of the problem. And there might be apple pi!

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

I wonder if the councilors can adequately divide their time between the patients?

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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?

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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.

#13

I’m Certain They Could Have Used A Better Slogan

I’m Certain They Could Have Used A Better Slogan

BeaulaGoo 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.

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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

#17

Finally, A Shower That Works With My Broken Neck

Finally, A Shower That Works With My Broken Neck

dinglehump 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

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fijinole avatar
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.”

#22

The Brazilian Vaccination Mascot Looks Like KKK

The Brazilian Vaccination Mascot Looks Like KKK

alan04eu Report

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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

#24

Let God Arse

Let God Arse

KenNCM Report

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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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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.

#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

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.

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#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

See Also on Bored Panda
#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

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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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#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

#42

Yes, The Earth

Yes, The Earth

boring_space_waffle Report

See Also on Bored Panda
#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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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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#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

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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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#50

Me And My Clones On The Job

Me And My Clones On The Job

doctor_blob Report

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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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