Eight of The Worst Advertising Campaigns in History

Any good advertising agency wants to keep its clients from enduring public humiliation or backlash. Nonetheless, some advertisers throw caution to the wind, and push the envelope anyway. Here is a look at eight of the worst advertising campaigns in history.

Sony White PSP Billboard Ads

The 2006 Sony White PSP billboard ads feature an aggressive white female (white PSP) overpowering a black female (black PSP). In an effort to promote the new White PSP over the traditional Black PSP Sony’s advertising agency created a “public relations nightmare,” writes Grasshopper, a virtual phone system provider for small businesses and entrepreneurs.

The Beatles – Album Covers

The Beatles Yesterday and Today Album covers were supposed to illustrate artistic genius. Instead, the advertising agency behind the cover art, created a disturbing portrait of the fab four draped in raw meat and plastic baby doll parts.

Vespa Scooters Led Me On!

In 2006 Vespa, “hired attractive actors and actresses to ride around on Vespa Scooters and hand out their business phone numbers at bars and restaurants. Once dialed, the numbers lead to Vespa dealerships and customer service representatives,” reports Grasshopper. Needless to say people were not happy when they reached a customer service representative instead of the handsome actor from the bar.

Farm-Fresh Flavors?

In 2004 Jones Soda Company turned-off consumers by incorporating “farm flavors” into their product line – such as ham, green bean casserole and dirt, says Grasshopper.

Molson Beer - Below The Legal Limit

Molson, a beer company, asked students on campuses around the world to send in pictures of them partying with their products. Grasshopper reports, unfortunately for Molson some of the pictures featured underage partiers… a big no-no for any advertising agency. 

Coke’s Formulary Folly

US Data Corporation – an online source for mailing lists, marketing data and research – says, Coke’s idea to change its consumer approved formula after more than 100 years of success was one of the worst advertising campaigns in history. After this marketing fail the company quickly reversed its formula.

Calvin’s Bad

In 1995 and 1999, Calvin Klein uses sex to sell to minors. “Somehow the fashion magnate thought it would be a good idea to stick them in underwear and apply the sexy black and white lens of his usual ads. People hated it, and the ads were pulled in 24 hours,” writes US Data Corporation.

Poorly Timed Venture

Circuit City’s attempt to sell Digital Video Express as DVD technology, is simultaneously being released at fraction of the cost to consumers is an epic advertising fail. The company lost more than $114 million dollars and subsequently went out of business, reports US Data Corporation. 

Nicole Donaldson writes for Fusion 360, an SEO and content marketing agency. She writes for many other clients as well. Follow on Twitter