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Multiplying the ways in which consumers can interact with your brand is often quite the challenge.

It usually requires companies to branch outside of their comfort zones, much like an oral hygiene business diving into the world of frozen foods.

So we at Bored Panda decided it would be interesting to take a look at the times when big names announced products they weren't really known for.

After all, he who never takes risks doesn't get to drink champagne, right?

#1

Audi Is Dog Friendly​. My Car Came Back From The Service With These Dog Toys On The Back Seat. Both Of My Labrador Retrievers Went Nuts

Audi Is Dog Friendly​. My Car Came Back From The Service With These Dog Toys On The Back Seat. Both Of My Labrador Retrievers Went Nuts

judgejamin Report

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wendillon avatar
Monday
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Little things like this can create brand loyalty so easily. People love their pets, so if a company does something pet friendly we're gonna not only stick with them, but advertise them for free online!

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#2

My McDonald's Themed Deck Of Cards Has The Queen Holding The Burger, So There Wouldn’t Be A Burger King

My McDonald's Themed Deck Of Cards Has The Queen Holding The Burger, So There Wouldn’t Be A Burger King

lolfrijoles Report

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indiecognition
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But the deck is probably missing 4 cards, since they wouldn't want to include a jack in the box

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It's easy to understand why companies decide to diversify. 65% of CEOs of large companies around the world predict that in five to seven years, their firms' main competitors would be different from their main competitors today, and 63% say that new competitors with new business models would pose a major threat to their firms' core business.

The CEOs estimate that in the next decade, 40% of the value their companies created would come from entering new markets and launching new business models. Clearly, the business landscape feels highly unstable to them, which is no surprise given that new technologies continue to upend industries and wipe out businesses at a remarkable rate.

#3

My Dad Owns A Working 40-Year-Old Mitsubishi Sharpener And You Can Adjust The Sharpness Of A Pencil

My Dad Owns A Working 40-Year-Old Mitsubishi Sharpener And You Can Adjust The Sharpness Of A Pencil

huntsman123 Report

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Axel Tojo
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Mitsubishi is one of the old Japanese mega corps called zaibatsu. They have since been broken up into smaller companies and that's why you can find anything from Mitsubishi cars and banks to nuclear power plants and, indeed, pencil sharpeners. Fun fact: Mitsubishi means "Three diamonds", so now you know where the logo comes from.

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#4

Subaru Branded Honey From My Local Dealership. Harvested From Their Rooftop

Subaru Branded Honey From My Local Dealership. Harvested From Their Rooftop

walkies3 Report

#5

Just Bought A Porsche Today, And They Gave Us Paper Clips Shaped Like Porsches

Just Bought A Porsche Today, And They Gave Us Paper Clips Shaped Like Porsches

DrDanklebergg Report

The good news to them is that now is a great time for companies to try to build new engines of profitable growth.

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One study estimated that global investment capital had tripled in the past three decades and stood at 10 times the global GDP.

Additionally, high-growth industries today don't require as much investment as they once did; disruptive businesses can scale up faster in size and power with less capital.

#7

When You Order A Knife Directly From Fällkniven They Also Send You These Branded Band-Aids With Your Package

When You Order A Knife Directly From Fällkniven They Also Send You These Branded Band-Aids With Your Package

LetoXXI Report

#8

I Was Cleaning Out An Old Apartment And Found A 1982 Coca-Cola Screwdriver Set

I Was Cleaning Out An Old Apartment And Found A 1982 Coca-Cola Screwdriver Set

BouncingJigglingJugs Report

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#9

This Was In An NHS Hospital In The UK. They Have A Toy MRI Machine In The Hospital Waiting Room

This Was In An NHS Hospital In The UK. They Have A Toy MRI Machine In The Hospital Waiting Room

lindet16 Report

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Regal Kitten
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

seems like a good idea to help children who are scared of an MRI machine get over their fear

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However, experts point out that diversification is an unpredictable, high-stakes game. First of all, companies usually face the decision in an atmosphere not conducive to thoughtful deliberation.

For instance, an attractive company comes into play, and a competitor is interested in buying it. Or the board of directors strongly urge expanding into new markets. Suddenly, senior managers must gather mountains of data—including internal rate-of-return calculations, market forecasts, and competitive assessments—under huge time pressure.

Diversification as a corporate strategy goes in and out of vogue on a regular basis. Simply put, there is little conventional wisdom to guide managers as they consider a move that could greatly increase shareholder value or seriously damage it.

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#12

This Turkish Muslim Girl Working At McDonald's Has A McDonald's Branded Hijab (Istanbul, Turkey)

This Turkish Muslim Girl Working At McDonald's Has A McDonald's Branded Hijab (Istanbul, Turkey)

bagdar Report

#13

My Neighbours Also Park Their Lamborghini In Their Front Yard

My Neighbours Also Park Their Lamborghini In Their Front Yard

MonsieurMeursault Report

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STress
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well, after all they started as tractor-producing company. Car production came as the result of owner's dissatisfaction with Ferrari cars.

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Before diversifying, businessmen must think not about what their company does but about what it does better than its competitors.

Consider the history of Blue Circle Industries, a British company that is one of the world's leading cement producers.

In the 1980s, Blue Circle decided to diversify on the basis of an unclear definition of its business. It was, the company’s managers thought, in the business of making products related to home building. So Blue Circle expanded into real estate, bricks, waste management, gas stoves, bath-tubs—even lawn mowers.

#15

This Radio I Found In My Attic Is Built To Resemble A Coca Cola Vending Machine

This Radio I Found In My Attic Is Built To Resemble A Coca Cola Vending Machine

reddit.com Report

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#17

Found This Old Volvo Cap Where The Strap Is A Seatbelt

Found This Old Volvo Cap Where The Strap Is A Seatbelt

Plattan35 Report

According to one retired executive, “Our move into lawn mowers was based on the logic that you need a lawn mower for your garden—which, after all, is next to your house.”

As you might've guessed, few of Blue Circle’s diversification forays proved successful.

#18

The Ketchup And Mayonnaise Packets I Got From A Restaurant With My Food Are The Opposite Brands Off What I Would Consider Their Specially

The Ketchup And Mayonnaise Packets I Got From A Restaurant With My Food Are The Opposite Brands Off What I Would Consider Their Specially

Heinz made the mayo and Hellmann's made the ketchup.

movieman56 Report

#20

Fried Chicken Scented Fire Log

Fried Chicken Scented Fire Log

robbiehaf Report

#21

Dad Still Uses The Coleman-Made, Marlboro-Branded, 12V Car Refrigerator He Got From A '90s Marlboro Catalog

Dad Still Uses The Coleman-Made, Marlboro-Branded, 12V Car Refrigerator He Got From A '90s Marlboro Catalog

YaKuzya Report

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Lane Bass
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dad smoked Marlboros and we had a ton of this stuff. Coats, beach towels, coolers, sleeping bags, backpacks. It was all high quality stuff. Still not worth smoking cancer sticks to get this.

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Diversification will remain a tough task, and managers must study their cards carefully. It takes smart players to know when it’s best to place their bets and when it’s best to fold.

But, as we can see from the pictures, they're still gambling.

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#22

If You Thought That The Perfect Soap Doesn't Exist, Here's For You

If You Thought That The Perfect Soap Doesn't Exist, Here's For You

fishcircumsizer Report

#23

Volkswagen (VW) Is The Largest Producer Of A Particular Type Of Sausage (Currywurst) In Germany

Volkswagen (VW) Is The Largest Producer Of A Particular Type Of Sausage (Currywurst) In Germany

King_Artus Report

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Wilf
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

fun fact. They have an official factory part number. So you can order them to your local VW garage!

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#25

The Michelin Tire Company Is The Same Michelin That Issues Michelin Stars To Restaurants And Hotels

The Michelin Tire Company Is The Same Michelin That Issues Michelin Stars To Restaurants And Hotels

michelinguide Report

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Little Wonder
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

IIRC it's because they started producing travel guides for people on driving holidays.

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#26

IKEA Is Now Selling Hats Made Out Of IKEA Bags

IKEA Is Now Selling Hats Made Out Of IKEA Bags

smashmouthftball Report

#28

LEGO Brick Shoe Box

LEGO Brick Shoe Box

aloofloofah Report

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Alex
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Son of my friend have this shoes... why Lego don't make this in the size 46 (11 UK 12 US)?!?!?! I am envious.

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#29

This Hairdryer With A Ferrari Motor

This Hairdryer With A Ferrari Motor

reddit.com Report

#31

Dr. Pepper, I Think You Went Too Far This Time

Dr. Pepper, I Think You Went Too Far This Time

BSwhip805 Report

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#32

Dr. Pepper Scented Tissues

Dr. Pepper Scented Tissues

Mnmsaregood Report

#33

Big Mac Shower Gel (Courtesy Of Austrian McDonald's)

Big Mac Shower Gel (Courtesy Of Austrian McDonald's)

leonilaa Report

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Thyamath
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"With fresh cucumber (pickle) scent", in case you where wondering. The german language doesn't really distinct between cucumber (Gurke) and pickle (eingelegte Gurke - pickled cucumber), btw.

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#34

Hello Kitty Pasta Sauce Anyone?

Hello Kitty Pasta Sauce Anyone?

desrevermi Report

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Bernd Herbert
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There's a reason why that brand is in second place of the highest-grossing media franchises.

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#35

Wife Asked For A Car For Her Birthday And I Promised Her That While I Was Drunk. So, Here It Is - I Bought Her A Toyota Car

Wife Asked For A Car For Her Birthday And I Promised Her That While I Was Drunk. So, Here It Is - I Bought Her A Toyota Car

zozyzoo Report

#36

Guinness - The Famous Brand Of Beer And "The Book Of Records"

Guinness - The Famous Brand Of Beer And "The Book Of Records"

guinnessworldrecords , guinness Report

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Regal Kitten
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like a lot of world record attempts started with the words "hold my beer"

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#37

Samsung Runs A Fashion Store In South Korea

Samsung Runs A Fashion Store In South Korea

TheOneInTheHat Report

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Amy Watkins
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I accidentally read the headline as "Samsung RUINS a fashion store ...." LOL

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#38

Strawberry Mentos Bath Bombs

Strawberry Mentos Bath Bombs

miracul0usladybug Report

#39

Samsung Made The Barbells At My Gym

Samsung Made The Barbells At My Gym

KeepItLevon Report

#40

Louis Vuitton Fire Extinguishers. To Fight Fire With Style

Louis Vuitton Fire Extinguishers. To Fight Fire With Style

Herbylicious Report

Note: this post originally had 101 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.