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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.

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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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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.

#26

Fantastic Ad Placement

Fantastic Ad Placement

reddit.com Report

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

I don't know what's more confusing, the flower on her head, the caption, or the fact this ad is placed over a cremation thing.

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

Spare your child the pain of becoming a teenager, bring them to St. Louis Cremation today!

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

And yourself the pain of having a teens. Sacrifice them while you still have only good memories.

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ghost34
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The girl in the picture is the daughter of the crematorium's owner. And the company announced over Facebook that it would be discontinuing the ad campaign. They said:“Thank you all for your feedback in regards to our marketing campaign. Our most recent advertisement was intended to be a lighthearted ad with no underlying message. We missed the mark on getting our intended message to the public. Our intent was for top of mind awareness, not a call to action. We plan to discontinue this campaign and to pour all of our efforts into what we do best: taking care of our families by honoring their loved ones.”

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Nerdy_Tomboy
Community Member
3 years ago

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

So you have to look ahead to cremating your teenager? And the flower ties in how? I'm very confused.

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

I think it's supposed to be about your own death, considering how you'll provide for your family

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

I've seen this many times, and never understood what point they were trying to get across.

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Nerdy_Tomboy
Community Member
3 years ago

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

Do they cremate all teenagers as soon as they reach that age? I can understand the temptation, but it seems a little harsh.

virgoal333 avatar
Purr·maid
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's crazy that these ads were placed together, but the ad on top is weird in itself. Not really a nice thing to say.

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

I just got a creepy flower-related vibe. As in deflowering. Because she'll be a teenager soon. Soooo creepy. Who approved that?

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

The newspaper biz has gone to s**t! No one proofs layouts anymore?

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grafxgal60073
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't get it. Well, I had a teenaged daughter and many times I wished I was dead.

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

..and what are they trying to say? A cremation service?Aha the ad was put without thought under the pretty flower girl I hope!

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Xan Maranya
Community Member
3 years ago

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

But, like, what's the point of that ad anyway? What's the connection to the flower and her being a teenager soon? Because all I'm getting is comments on her virginity. With or without the cremation ad this is confusing AF.

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

Deflowering is when a girl loses her virginity (is what some readers are suggesting this is).

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

they're saying that she'll be a teenager soon and then soon after that she will die (??) so you'll need your buddy St. Louis Cremation I guess?

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

I have so many questions... this add had to be done by a creepy old guy. First off what in the f**k does a little girl and a flower have to do with a cremation place? second, flower? ohhh that's just wrong.

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

There is nothing I understand about this ad. 🤔😬🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

s-jlieber avatar
lol idk
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

dead baby jokes are funny because they never get old.

tonybowman_1 avatar
Tony Bowman
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now that she's 13 it's time for her cremation come here lucy

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

I don't understand - is the cremation ad separate from the picture or not?

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

well nice that children are cremated....should we tell them first :)

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

pov: shes 16 and looking back at this ad with a smile

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

Anyone raising/who has raised teens knows they can put you in an early ⚰🤣✌

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

As a teenager, the tiniest little thing could often make me feel like I was about to die, so I'm glad I never saw this combination of ads ... 😳

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Jojo's Terrible Aesthetics
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Everything is so unexpected in this ad. What is this ad really trying to convey?

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

I thought the cremation ad was separate and by it saying not to let the flower fool you that she'll be teenager soon meant that she'll be getting de-flowered :/ damn my mind over thinks EVERY lol

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

Am i the only one who thinks every newspaper should have a meme i every issue?

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

There were a lot of people dying to get their faces on this ad but Ashley got it.

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

It's like they meant this to be an ad for birth control pills. Something's wrong here.

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Colin Mochrie At Its Finest
Community Member
3 years ago

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

I didn't realize I could just take her down to the shop and have it taken care of dot-dot...

sawdust99 avatar
Sawdust
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone please give them a call and ask what the deal is. :-)

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

I don't get it, will she die as a teenager? Do they promote what I seriously hope they don't?

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

No, the cremation add is probably separate. But I don't get the top part - what does that even mean

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

Say what? Is this some kind of weird pedo cult, where young preteen girls are deflowered and then murdered in some horrific ritual, with the St Louis Crematorium providing cremation services to dispose of the young girls' bodies? Gee, thanks for the nightmares!

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

I highly recommend having them cremated before they're teenagers. The girls are the worst ! Lol

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

What does the statement mean? and why is a Crematorium running the ad?

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

Just for the people who don't get it, it shows a little girl, and then under that, it has st. louis cremation.

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

If someone doesn't get it, why do you describe it? That does not explain it at all.

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

That's not ad placement, that's literally the same add. I think they sent the wrong picture

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

Yikes. So many things wrong with this.....it’s an ad for a crematorium 🤦🏻‍♀️

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

If it is 2 ads, what does the top ad advertise? The left page looks like a yearbook, so maybe they are saying your kid will be in high school soon? But why would they say that to teens?

fabrice_1 avatar
Fabrice
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

maybe a way of telling you that you are getting older? very strange indeed

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#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

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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

#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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Note: this post originally had 87 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.