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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
Freya the Wanderer 4 years ago
As the bumper sticker says, the light at the end of the tunnel may be an oncoming train.
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Cynthia Bonville 4 years ago
That is a pet peeve of mine - so many HS seniors get their senior photo taken on train tracks, so cringe so not okay on many levels.
Kimberley Gayle Thomas 4 years ago
This is the first for me. So now I'm curious as to the result of the ones you saw. As in, if they're dead, living a better life or other.
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Gregg Bender 4 years ago
It's the truth. You come out of college all optimistic about your career path and get hit by the train of reality.
justanotherBoredpanda 4 years ago
What are you doing? You're supposed to walk away from the light, not towards it!
John Montgomery 4 years ago
Is she carrying her robe on her shoulder? At first glance I thought it was a weird sleeveless robe.
WhatEvenIsLife 4 years ago
I mean, it's not inaccurate. Getting hit by a train is pretty much what adulthood feels like.
Callista pierce 4 years ago
its a train. there's no light at the end of a tunnel. there's just a train
Alanna Elric 3 years ago
Graduating college in this economy really do be like that
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Layla Corman 4 years ago
And get blasted by an oncoming train. I think I'll pass on this advise.
Mary Peace 4 years ago
If she gets her shoes stuck in the rails, and then she's blinded by the light, she'd better hope there are no trains due.
Nightmare.wsmpf 4 years ago
is that a train i see oh no that train is coming closer and closer SPLAT
Christine Hennig 4 years ago
Your future is going into the white light, i.e. death. Which is true, but perhaps not very inspiring.
Cybele Spanjaard 4 years ago
This is sending a really wrong message to vulnerable people ..let alone her shoes do not touch the rocky surface
fuggnuggins 4 years ago
Subject matter aside, how dos a person do a composite like this as an advertisement for their business and still maintain a photography business?
Melissa Harris 3 years ago
With those shoes, walking on a track, she won't go far, train or not
Peppermint Psaki 3 years ago
🎶 when it comes to be there’s a silver light at the end of your tunnel, it’s just a freight train coming your waaaayyyyheyyyyeaaaah!!🎶
Klaatu Verrata (Cough) 3 years ago
This is pretty messed up for any friends/parents, etc. of teens who may have killed themselves this way. (We had a kid in high school jump in front of a train. One of his friends tried to do it as well 2 weeks later and ended up brain dead.) Whatever they were thinking with this one, they were only using one or two brain cells to do it.
Ivan Petrov 3 years ago
Oh, boy. The photo editing in this picture 😔 At least make a real photo of a girl on train tracks.
John Wolfe 3 years ago
You are all trying to be funny. The truth is, all advertising lies to you!
IvyclawTheWolfski 3 years ago
Graduating from college? More like graduating from life. I wish I was this woman, homework sucks. -_-
Brenda McNeely 4 years ago
Nice shoes, just not made for walking the tracks...especially with an oncoming train
Remind me where I am again ? 4 years ago
The ad designer's family happens to be in the college student life insurance plan business.
JJ Buddhabrot 4 years ago
Gadamn.. these people have no creativity. Look to the future? Walking on train tracks with high heels and a train coming?
ANABELLE SENG 4 years ago
A day after... "Oh, uh, I'm just gunna..." *casually walks around the splatter and whistles*
Bettye McKee 4 years ago
Good idea, grad. You can't get a job, so you might as well wait for the train. You should have considered that when you majored in Dead Languages.
Karen Lyon 4 years ago
A good friend/former roommate and I have a joke about this: when we talk about there being a "light at the end of the tunnel", we also say that hopefully it's not the light from on oncoming train. I think whoever put this together didn't understand that......
Nicholas McShane 4 years ago
Always remember, 'The light at the end of the tunnel may be a train coming towards you'
Richard Courtney 4 years ago
Lol, never mind the fact that it is illegal to be on train tracks, stupid and very very dangerous.
Ben Steinberg 4 years ago
When that glimmering ray of hope in the darkness is really the light from an on-coming train...
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 4 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 4 years ago
Just wondering —does anyone know what language this is/ what country it’s in?
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 4 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 4 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 4 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.
#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
#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 4 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?
#50
Me And My Clones On The Job
#51
Not Enough Clean Air In My Convertible
#52
Yes, That's How A Scale Works
#53
Someone Paid Money For This To Be Their Sign And Logo/Mascot. I’m Convinced This Is Drug Lord’s Money Laundering Business
#54
Taste The Feeling
#55
I Can't Even Figure Out What They're Trying To Say
#56
Disney Font Puts The Fun In Funeral
#57
Somehow Spiderman Is Able To Keep A Hot Drink In His Cup While Upside Down
#58
A “Save Water” Ad Which Makes You Spit On The Poor Kid’s Face While Brushing
#59
Only One Of These Will Save Your Life
#60
That Elbow Is The Stuff Of Nightmares
#61
“Make The Athlete Look Like She’s In Motion”
#62
This Cancer Center's Ad
#63
Why Is The Phone Inside The Photo
Couldnt_Find_A_Good_Name 4 years ago
For some reason I read 'Why Is The Phone Inside The Potato?'.... Is this normal?
#64
All Ye Shall Come To Me For The Healing Of Burgers
#65
Someone Didn't Quite Think That One All The Way Through
#66
10/10 Cable Management
Your Cousin Vinny 4 years ago
But wait, the only cable in the picture is for the lamp and it's not even plugged in!
#67
Yes I Am Human With Human Wife And I Do Sleep Like Humans Do
#68
This Laptop Stand That Is Very Poorly Photoshopped In And Not Even Being Used
#69
My Movie Theater Tried Ok?
#70
Superb Ad Placement At Stuttgart International Airport
#71
Found The World's Smallest Hands While Looking For A WiFi Adapter
#72
Isn’t This Considered Murder?
#73
Should've Said It Out Loud
#74
An Image Of A Kitchen Pot Rack That I Came Across On Ebay
#75
This Chinese Ad For A Pepper Mill
#76
Ben Ten Didn't Deserve This
#77
This Whole Ad Is A Trainwreck
#78
“How Should We Advertise These Apple Sticks?” “Stick Em In Some Corn Or Something”
Kathryn Baylis 4 years ago
I believe they’re appleWOOD sticks. Man, forget just one little word, and look at all the trouble you make.
#79
Either The Smallest Golden In History Or The Feeder Is For Storing A Lifetime Supply Of Food
#80
Art On Netflix For “Seventh Son.” I Laughed Way Harder Than I Should’ve
#81
Do Not Look Away At The Road
Radek Suski 4 years ago
We have a lot of ads like "don't drive and text" along the highways in Germany and I always had to wonder if somebody already caused an accident being distracted by those
#82
This Instagram Ad Celebrating Your Crippling Debt
#83
From Real Lawn To Virtual Golf Course From 1992 In Just 6-8 Days
River Webb 4 years ago
"you give up and make a garden online instead, thats how useless our stuff is"
#84
Kix Cereal Box Has A Masked Out Spoon To Give The Illusion There’s Cereal On Top
#85
"Well I Gotta Use My Free Trial Of Photoshop For Something" Said The Intern
#86
This Child On An Advertisement In Germany
#87
Someone Doesn't Know How Hangman Works
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Michael A. Brown 4 years ago
My stomach hurts from trying NOT to laugh as much!
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Immortal Emperor Paradox 4 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 4 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 4 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 3 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 4 years ago
Some if them really make u wonder. Cluelessness or extremely dark humor?
Ellie Giberson 4 years ago
Seriously have tears running down my face 😂 Haven't laughed this hard in a long time
GoddessOdd 4 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 4 years ago
My stomach hurts from trying NOT to laugh as much!
Load More Replies... Immortal Emperor Paradox 4 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 4 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 4 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 3 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 4 years ago
Some if them really make u wonder. Cluelessness or extremely dark humor?
Ellie Giberson 4 years ago
Seriously have tears running down my face 😂 Haven't laughed this hard in a long time
GoddessOdd 4 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.
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