12 Bad Ads and Marketing Failures To Learn What Not To Do

Explore twelve real examples of advertising disasters that show what not to do when creating a marketing campaign. From tone-deaf social commentary to poorly timed email promotions and insensitive taglines, these bad ads highlight the most common mistakes made by even the biggest brands.

This article examines each failure, explains why it went wrong, and provides clear takeaways to help marketers avoid similar problems in 2025. Use these lessons to strengthen your creative strategy, protect your brand reputation, and build advertising that connects with your audience.

Top Bad Ads and Marketing Failures

1. Pepsi Trivializes Social Justice Movements

Here’s What Happened

This one’s still fresh. At the beginning of April 2017, Pepsi debuted an ad depicting Kendall Jenner in the middle of a photoshoot when she spots a protest happening in the middle of the street. Beckoned by a nod from a passing protestor, she whips off her wig to join in.

Things don’t get really bad, though, until she walks up to a police officer manning the protest crowd and hands him a Pepsi, therefore stopping protests—and socioeconomic conflict, racial tension, gender inequality, and really just, like all bad vibes—forever.

Why It Missed the Mark

The campaign failed because it turned a serious social issue into a sales pitch. Instead of supporting real causes, Pepsi appeared to exploit them for brand attention.

The company’s apology focused on Kendall Jenner rather than the communities it offended, deepening the backlash and damaging trust.

Takeaway

Brands that want to support social causes should act with authenticity. Using movements or tragedies to promote products risks alienating audiences and creating lasting brand damage.

2. Bloomingdale’s Is…Okay with Date Rape?

Here’s What Happened

Bloomingdale’s released a holiday print ad with the line “Spike your best friend’s eggnog.” The ad was quickly criticized for promoting date-rape culture and poor judgment during the holiday season. The campaign became a viral example of how humor in advertising can easily cross the line.

Why It Missed the Mark

In an attempt to stand out, Bloomingdale’s lapse in judgment resulted in an ad that possibly was supposed to be quirky or funny, but ended up being creepy and outrageously offensive.

For women? It’s frightening. For men? It’s embarrassing. And for victims of date rape? Absolutely horrifying.

Takeaway

Always review creative content through diverse perspectives. A single poor choice of words can undo years of brand credibility.

3. Bud Light Says No Doesn’t Mean No

Here’s What Happened

Bud Light’s “Up for Whatever” campaign was meant to celebrate spontaneity but quickly drew criticism for implying unsafe or non-consensual behavior. Social media users accused the brand of being irresponsible and tone-deaf, forcing Bud Light to pull the campaign.

Why It Missed the Mark

USA Today said it perfectly: “[the ad evoked] concerns about alcohol-fueled rape culture.”

Takeaway

When writing taglines, context matters. Keep messages positive, inclusive, and free of interpretations that could harm your brand image.

4. Airbnb Gets Passive Aggressive About Taxes

Here’s What Happened

Airbnb sent an email titled “Floating World” promoting water-themed rentals just as Hurricane Harvey devastated Texas in 2017. The timing turned an innocent campaign into a major brand misstep.

Why It Missed the Mark

Whether or not you agree it’s unfair that Airbnb has to pay the hotel tax, the bottom line is that the ads made Airbnb look like a bunch of jerks. Actually, that’s what CEO Brian Chesky said about the ads: “It made us look like jerks.”

Takeaway

Always monitor global and regional events before launching automated emails or scheduled campaigns. Sensitivity and timing can make or break a message.

5. Burger King Botches Their Own Version of “Where’s Waldo.”

Here’s What Happened

Let’s throw it all the way back to 1985. This one’s just one big giant mess, so let’s break it down:

• Burger King kicks off a campaign called “Where’s Herb?” by telling customers that if they can find Herb at a Burger King location (a random and disappointingly ordinary guy not very worthy of being the centerpiece of an ad campaign), they’ll win $5,000
• Finally, a 15-year-old spotted Herb but was rejected the cash price
• Then Burger King gave the cash prize to his 16-year-old friend instead because the actual Herb discoverer was younger than the not-so-well-advertised contest age minimum of 16.

Why It Missed the Mark

A few reasons: 1) No one cared who Herb was. 2) It was just too random: who is this guy and why are we trying to find him? No one really knew. 3) The contest rules were poorly communicated and resulted in a nasty PR situation.

Takeaways

If you’re going to have a brand mascot, try to have it make some sense. Don’t try to get people to care about your mascot or promotion without giving them a reason to first. (Oh, and be very, very clear about contest age restrictions.)

6. Pepsi Runs a Disastrous Lottery

Here’s What Happened

Yes, Pepsi again. In 1993 in the Philippines, Pepsi ran a lottery, in which—if you found the bottle cap with the right code on it—you could win $40,000.

The problem? Pepsi announced the wrong code. So instead of 1 winning bottle cap, there were suddenly 800,000 winning bottle caps. Pepsi refused to pay; outrage ensued.

Why It Missed the Mark

Do we even have to say it? False hope and botched lotteries are not good ways to do business.

Takeaways

If you’re going to run a lottery or contest or anything promising a big, life-changing reward, please make sure you’re running it carefully and 100% free of mistakes.

7. Fiat Moonlights as a Stalker

Here’s What Happened

In 1992, 50,000 Spanish women got a letter from a stalker saying things like, “We met again on the street yesterday and I noticed how you glanced interestedly in my direction.” They then invited the female recipient to embark with them on an adventure.Except the letters weren’t from a stalker. They were from Fiat, the car company.

Why It Missed the Mark

Though the ad might have been cute and clever if it were clear that it was an ad, it wasn’t clear that it was an ad. If Fiat would’ve put their logo on it and a disclaimer message to the tune of “you are not actually being stalked,” things might not have gone so poorly.

Takeaways

Be clear about your intentions in your advertising, and point it out plainly if you have to: “This is an advertisement. We are not actually stalking you.”

8. Starbucks Prints a 9/11 Ad

Here’s What Happened

In 2002, Starbucks released this ad:

Which, because of the 1) two cups, 2) strangely square-tipped blades of grass that resembled buildings, 3) zooming dragonfly, and 4) ad copy “Collapse Into Cool”, made people think Starbucks was…poking fun? (or just really that ignorant?) at the 9/11 catastrophe.

Why It Missed the Mark

Obviously, it’s wildly offensive. Was it just a huge coincidence? I don’t even know—I still don’t understand the logic behind this one.

Takeaways

Stay alert for symbolism that might be—whether intentionally or unintentionally—depicted by the words or images in your ad.

9. Panasonic & Woody the Woodpecker

Here’s What Happened

In 1996, Panasonic’s Japan branch marketed a touchscreen PC with cartoon character Woody the Woodpecker as its brand mascot.

Oh, and the campaign’s slogan? “Touch Woody, the Internet Pecker.”

Why It Missed the Mark

It’s probably best not to use phallic references in your marketing. The fact that it was accidental made Panasonic look even worse.

Takeaways

Make sure your brand’s message translates well (and appropriately) when you’re doing business overseas.

10. Turner Broadcasting Promotes with a Bang

Here’s What Happened

In early 2007, Turner Broadcasting had small blinking LED devices depicting a cartoon character installed in 10 major cities around the US. The intention was to use guerrilla marketing to create hype for the upcoming Aqua Teen Hunger Force movie.

Why It Missed the Mark

The nondescript ad freaked people out, causing Bostonites to call reports of what looked like bombs. Panic ensued. A bomb squad was called in. And people were not happy.

Takeaways

Don’t make ads that look like bombs.

But seriously, when you’re distributing or installing exhibits as part of guerrilla marketing, be extra careful. If there’s any possibility it’ll make passersby feel unsafe, scrap it.

11. Hyundai Belittles Suicide Victims

Here’s What Happened

In 2013, Hyundai ran a commercial in the UK that essentially said, “Our cars are so safe you can’t even commit suicide in them.”

The point was that the sedan doesn’t produce harmful emissions like other cars do, and unfortunately the campaign’s creators thought a good way to get that point across was to show a man’s unsuccessful suicide.

Why It Missed the Mark

Just like Pepsi trivialized social justice movements, Hyundai trivializes the heartbreak and devastation of suicide. You can’t be a person who’s suffered from suicidal thoughts—or a person who has lost someone due to suicide—and enjoy Hyundai’s ad, and that’s why they missed the mark.

Takeaways

Don’t try to force your ad message into social issues if they don’t fit. Pro tip: they probably don’t fit. Don’t let your desire to be quirky or clever undermine serious social issues.

12. LifeLock’s CEO Dares You to Steal His Identity

Here’s What Happened

In 2007, LifeLock CEO Todd Davis posted his social security number on a billboard and dared the world to steal his identity.

Plot twist: that’s not actually a plot twist because everyone saw it coming: a lot of people stole his identity.

Why It Missed the Mark

It’s not just because this ended up being a huge headache for Todd Davis on a personal level. To make matters worse, the fact that people actually called Davis out on his dare and proved LifeLock’s security breachable made the whole campaign painfully embarrassing for LifeLock and everyone involved.

Takeaways

Don’t dare your audience to do something you don’t actually want them to do. People will call your bluff, so be prepared to handle the consequences.

Our Biggest Takeaway

What do all these takeaways have in common? Prudence. Thoughtfulness. Social consciousness.

If you’re unsure about whether or not an ad you’re about to put out there is offensive, ask. Ask a stranger on the street if you have to. Ask a neighbor. Ask a friend. Will my ad offend someone? What kind of mental associations will this conjure for my brand?

If the answer’s less than stellar, scrap it.

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