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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.

#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

#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

#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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#52

Yes, That's How A Scale Works

Yes, That's How A Scale Works

yoergo Report

#53

Someone Paid Money For This To Be Their Sign And Logo/Mascot. I’m Convinced This Is Drug Lord’s Money Laundering Business

Someone Paid Money For This To Be Their Sign And Logo/Mascot. I’m Convinced This Is Drug Lord’s Money Laundering Business

SoDakZak Report

#54

Taste The Feeling

Taste The Feeling

dudelsac Report

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#57

Somehow Spiderman Is Able To Keep A Hot Drink In His Cup While Upside Down

Somehow Spiderman Is Able To Keep A Hot Drink In His Cup While Upside Down

Speeider Report

#58

A “Save Water” Ad Which Makes You Spit On The Poor Kid’s Face While Brushing

A “Save Water” Ad Which Makes You Spit On The Poor Kid’s Face While Brushing

Kapikap0906 Report

#60

That Elbow Is The Stuff Of Nightmares

That Elbow Is The Stuff Of Nightmares

Abandoned-Potato Report

#61

“Make The Athlete Look Like She’s In Motion”

“Make The Athlete Look Like She’s In Motion”

kronograf Report

#62

This Cancer Center's Ad

This Cancer Center's Ad

jujjyfruit Report

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

Well we can see what you were trying to do, but it didn't work, did it!

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#63

Why Is The Phone Inside The Photo

Why Is The Phone Inside The Photo

MrSegwayMan Report

#64

All Ye Shall Come To Me For The Healing Of Burgers

All Ye Shall Come To Me For The Healing Of Burgers

deadpoolyes Report

#65

Someone Didn't Quite Think That One All The Way Through

Someone Didn't Quite Think That One All The Way Through

gerald1 Report

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#66

10/10 Cable Management

10/10 Cable Management

RonanAMA2013 Report

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

But wait, the only cable in the picture is for the lamp and it's not even plugged in!

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#67

Yes I Am Human With Human Wife And I Do Sleep Like Humans Do

Yes I Am Human With Human Wife And I Do Sleep Like Humans Do

lachlantopcat Report

#68

This Laptop Stand That Is Very Poorly Photoshopped In And Not Even Being Used

This Laptop Stand That Is Very Poorly Photoshopped In And Not Even Being Used

Doeljan11 Report

#69

My Movie Theater Tried Ok?

My Movie Theater Tried Ok?

ginseng72 Report

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

lmaaoooooooooo this nightmare fuel. i mean -- look at frozone 0_0. and where is bob's face ...

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#70

Superb Ad Placement At Stuttgart International Airport

Superb Ad Placement At Stuttgart International Airport

Spetchen Report

#71

Found The World's Smallest Hands While Looking For A WiFi Adapter

Found The World's Smallest Hands While Looking For A WiFi Adapter

xK3V1Nix Report

#72

Isn’t This Considered Murder?

Isn’t This Considered Murder?

Xephia Report

#74

An Image Of A Kitchen Pot Rack That I Came Across On Ebay

An Image Of A Kitchen Pot Rack That I Came Across On Ebay

CactusBoyScout Report

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#78

“How Should We Advertise These Apple Sticks?” “Stick Em In Some Corn Or Something”

“How Should We Advertise These Apple Sticks?” “Stick Em In Some Corn Or Something”

OrangeLandi Report

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

I believe they’re appleWOOD sticks. Man, forget just one little word, and look at all the trouble you make.

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#79

Either The Smallest Golden In History Or The Feeder Is For Storing A Lifetime Supply Of Food

Either The Smallest Golden In History Or The Feeder Is For Storing A Lifetime Supply Of Food

goonie_lover Report

#80

Art On Netflix For “Seventh Son.” I Laughed Way Harder Than I Should’ve

Art On Netflix For “Seventh Son.” I Laughed Way Harder Than I Should’ve

ishipdrarry Report

#81

Do Not Look Away At The Road

Do Not Look Away At The Road

avidbirdpointerouter Report

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

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

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#82

This Instagram Ad Celebrating Your Crippling Debt

This Instagram Ad Celebrating Your Crippling Debt

MLutsenko Report

#83

From Real Lawn To Virtual Golf Course From 1992 In Just 6-8 Days

From Real Lawn To Virtual Golf Course From 1992 In Just 6-8 Days

extroverthomunculus Report

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

"you give up and make a garden online instead, thats how useless our stuff is"

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#84

Kix Cereal Box Has A Masked Out Spoon To Give The Illusion There’s Cereal On Top

Kix Cereal Box Has A Masked Out Spoon To Give The Illusion There’s Cereal On Top

beerguy_etcetera Report

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

Big up for designer. This needed a lot of creativity. One day he will get out of his shadow :D :D

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#85

"Well I Gotta Use My Free Trial Of Photoshop For Something" Said The Intern

"Well I Gotta Use My Free Trial Of Photoshop For Something" Said The Intern

OTOD_tag Report

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#87

Someone Doesn't Know How Hangman Works

Someone Doesn't Know How Hangman Works

TheSexyPizza Report