Credit: The New York Times
Have you ever seen a commercial so cringe-worthy that it makes you laugh out loud? It turns out that this kind of marketing failure is more than just a small brand problem; even the most established companies can make epic mistakes. These blunders can go viral overnight, turning brand loyalty into public mockery.
Pepsi (2017)
Credit: Youtube
Pepsi's attempt to capitalize on social justice movements with a commercial featuring Kendall Jenner diffusing tension at a protest with a can of Pepsi sparked outrage. The internet spiraled into a frenzy of public outcry and viral memes while critics slammed it as tone-deaf and disrespectful. Pepsi quickly pulled the ad and issued an apology.
New Coke (1985)
Credit: Reddit
Coca-Cola, the king of colas, made a disastrous decision by replacing its original formula with a "New Coke." Consumers revolted, with many claiming the new version tasted inferior. The backlash was so intense that Coca-Cola was forced to bring back the original recipe just 79 days later.
Dove: Body Wash and the Racist Shower (2017)
Credit: Youtube
Dove's attempt to promote inclusivity backfired spectacularly with an ad showing a black woman washing away into a white woman. The commercial was widely condemned for perpetuating racist stereotypes.
McDonald's Fillet-O-Fish Mishap (1995)
Credit: Youtube
In a bizarre marketing campaign, McDonald's launched a website for their Filet-O-Fish sandwich featuring a creepy, singing fish mascot. The internet, still in its early days, mercilessly mocked the ad, solidifying its place in marketing infamy.
Ford Figo: The Offensive Indian Name (2010)
Credit: flickr
Ford tried to enter the Indian market with a car named Figo, but it faced an embarrassing hurdle. Figo is a slang term in some parts of India for a derogatory term about women's figures. Ford was forced to quickly rebrand the car as Figo Aspire.
Gap's Logo Revamp (2010)
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Gap tried to modernize its logo, which resulted in a confusing, barely-there blue square design. Customers hated it, with many comparing it to a sad face or a medical symbol. Gap wisely reverted to its original logo a short time later.
BlackBerry's Tweet from an iPhone (2012)
Credit: flickr
BlackBerry, a struggling smartphone brand at the time, accidentally tweeted an announcement for a new phone from an iPhone. This blunder highlighted the company's growing disconnect from the market and its inability to keep pace with competitors.
Hertz Neverending Car Rental Nightmare (2021)
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Hertz's social media team took a lighthearted approach to their bankruptcy filing, tweeting, "Rent a car, own a problem." Customers who were stuck in lengthy car return lines due to the bankruptcy weren't amused, and the tweet quickly backfired.
Goodyear's Support for Trump Rallies (2020)
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Goodyear, a tire company, found itself in hot water when it was revealed they wouldn't allow employees to wear Black Lives Matter or pro-Trump attire at work. However, some employees claimed the company did allow pro-Trump messages. This inconsistency caused confusion and anger, leading to boycotts of the brand.
Netflix's "Instant Queue" Removal (2010)
Credit: Reddit
Netflix angered its subscriber base by announcing the removal of its popular "Instant Queue" feature, which allowed users to create a list of movies and shows they wanted to watch. The backlash forced Netflix to backtrack and reinstate the feature.
Olive Garden's Never Ending Pasta Pass Fiasco (2017)
Credit: Facebook
Olive Garden's attempt to boost sales with a limited-time "Never Ending Pasta Pass" backfired spectacularly. Restaurants were overwhelmed by demand, leading to long wait times, frustrated customers, and, ultimately, a loss of revenue for the company.
Mattel's Barbie "Can She Be a Computer Engineer?" (1998)
Credit: Linkedin
Mattel's Barbie doll line has faced criticism for perpetuating gender stereotypes. One such example was the 1998 Barbie labeled "Can She Be a Computer Engineer?" which critics pointed out was unnecessary, implying that being a computer engineer was unusual for a woman.
Peloton's Christmas Ad and Social Media Outrage (2019)
Credit: Youtube
Peloton's holiday ad campaign featured a woman receiving a Peloton exercise bike as a gift from her husband. Many viewers found the ad sexist and unrealistic, sparking a social media firestorm and damaging the brand's image.
United Breaks Guitars (2017)
Credit: Wikimedia Commons
Passenger David Dao's forcible removal from a United Airlines flight became a viral sensation after a video showed him being dragged off the plane. United's initial response, blaming the passenger, only fueled public outrage, damaging the airline's reputation for customer service.
Colgate's "Sensitive Teeth in China" Campaign (2018)
Credit: Facebook
Colgate's attempt to market its sensitive toothpaste in China backfired when its ad campaign featured a scene with a Chinese man wincing while eating a bowl of ice cream. The ad was criticized for perpetuating negative stereotypes about Chinese people's dental health.
