We take in hundreds of advertisements each and every day. Whether we are driving down the road, walking through a store, or even on our phones, there are ads all around us.
Nowadays, especially on our phones and social media, targeted advertisements promote the things we would like based on our search history and even our conversations.
Most times, the ads are so good they make us believe we simply cannot live without this new product. However, that doesn’t mean advertisements are perfect every time. Amongst the hundreds of good ads, hilariously bad ads also exist.
Here are 65 advertisements that just simply failed. Whether it was with their slogan, mascot, photoshop, or just an unfortunate placement once they were put in the real world it just didn’t work out so well for them.
1. Interesting Bus Advertisement
One person followed this bus for four blocks and had to pull over just to get a photo of this advertisement! Or as they write “
beautiful work of art“.
Sometimes although the ad looks great on the computer it turns out completely different once placed on the actual bus with windows that open and close. Now since this ad was placed on a bus she has adjustable eyes!
Usually ads need to be short, simple, and to the point, since people are passing by them. But sometimes the wording can get a little tricky.
Such as this advertisement for a hair salon promoting they cut women’s, men’s, and even kid’s hair. However, the picture they chose and the words “we cut kids” give those passing by the wrong idea. Pretty funny though!
3. Full Flexibility From Head To Toe
Sometimes ads make you do a double-take. Which in this case may be the exact tactic in order to get people to look longer.
Especially since the words above her read “full flexibility” in an advertisement for a gym called Just Fit in Köln Godorf. Although quirky this ad is quite clever and can catch more attention by making people do a double-take.
4. Mother Daughter Bonding
This wine glass is so
unbreakable you can even let your kids drink their juice out of it! However, it may look just as bad as it does in this photo. Which at first glance it seems like this mother daughter is bonding over a glass of red and white wine.
5. Not Even Sara Lee Likes Sara Lee!
Here we see again just how different ads come to life on moving vehicles. Unfortunately for Sara Lee instead of reading “
Nobody doesn’t like Sara Lee“…it now reads “
Sara Lee doesn’t like Sara Lee“.
Often people mishear this slogan and instead think it’s “Nobody does it like Sara Lee“. In this 1960’s commercial it provides the full version of the slogan which is “Everybody doesn’t like something, but nobody doesn’t like Sara Lee“. And to think all of this over some bread.
6. She Might Need To Go To The Hospital First…
Although the point of this ad is somewhat clear it mostly looks like this woman may be having a stroke. Either way, this ad definitely makes those who see it really look into what they are exactly advertising.
This ad could definitely double for what to look for in a person who may potentially need to go to the hospital!
Only $45 for anxiety disorders? What a bargain! However, as many of us know we got ours for free. How lucky!
This is one of those advertisements where once you see it you can’t unsee it. What is supposed to be a towel wrapped around her head instead looks more like just a small patch of hair. Either way she looks quite happy…has the potential to be a new hair trend.
9. It’s Supposed To Say Saturday…
This ad is almost too good to think they didn’t notice what it said before releasing it. What the shirt is supposed to say is “
Saturday” but instead all we see is turd. We were today years old when we realized there is a “turd” in Saturday.
10. The Use Of Quotations Here Is A Bit Unsettling
Quotations can make all the difference. Take this ad for example where they put quotation marks over “
safe” which give this a malevolent undertone. Not sure if we trust wherever this place is or who made this sign.
11. Finally! A Realistic Mannequin
Finally a realistic mannequin in the women’s store!
12. We’re Not Happy ‘Til You’re Not Happy?
Whatever way you try to read this it still will not make any sense. Still, we cannot figure out what they were trying to me…or what they could even be advertising.
13. Half Woman Half Towel
We can’t help but wonder if they make this ad look like this with intent. Especially since the woman fades into a rolled-up towel. Which from a distance oddly looks like a fish roll…
14. Another Photoshop Fail
Sometimes advertisement makers really don’t care about their photoshop fails…or maybe after working on it for so long they simply don’t see it anymore.
Take this ad for example where they photoshopped out her nose but left one nostril behind. The more you look the more you notice all that’s been photoshopped.
The stretched letter E in this ad looks just like this models legs! Again maybe that’s the point. Another quirky ad that may just be clever enough to make people investigate a little more of their product.
16. Working Up The Courage To Get On The Scale
Sometimes we have to work up the courage to get on the scale. Which is either what this woman is doing or a funny photoshop job. We think they just photoshopped over a foot bath which they did a pretty good job. Still very funny though.
Where did this bus come from exactly? One user,
mkoijn3, writes, “
I’d bike away too if an interdimensional bus portal was coming after me.” What an odd ad for a transit however it definitely catches the eye.
18. The Glasses Might Not Look £25 But This Ad Sure Does
Here we have another “
good” ad but just a wrong placement. Which unfortunately also although ruins the ad makes it quite funny. We hope their glasses look better in person.
What an interesting choice of design for a mascot. Also an interesting choice of color for a mattress but again such a unique design that makes everyone stop and stare. One user,
miraculous- , wrote a little slogan for this mascot,
Ahhh yes the Earth! That is until you actually realize this 1,000 piece circular puzzle is the moon. Whoops!
21. What Are They Trying To Say Exactly?
Here we have another sign that doesn’t make sense at first, second, or even third glance of what exactly it is trying to say. Maybe that’s the point of the ad just standing there trying to figure out over and over.
One user, random_name225, thinks they may have figured it out writing, “When you order we smash that fresh ball of beef on a hot-buttered grill to sear the burger and you can taste delicious burger!”
22. That’s A Pokemon In The Backpack
This backpack just looks wrong at first glance. But once you see the third backpack you can see that there’s a pokemon hiding in the backpack. Definitely giggle-worthy for a lot of parents since at a quick look just so happens to look like Ashes butt.
23. Interesting Sign For The Library
We are sure this girl has heard a lot from her friends about this ad! Another ad that once placed turns out just so bad. At least she’s able to read two pages at once.
24. Interesting Choice In Font For A Funeral Home
This font can put the fun in funeral. Do you recognize it? It’s the same font as Disney! Interesting choice.
25. Would You Like To Eat China or Salat?
At this place they offer a lot of different food options! You can choose from a baguette to pizza, to China or even salat! We can’t help but wonder what the options look like once inside.
She looks to be really enjoying the taste of her coke! Although it is oddly terrifying. Oh how ads can change once they are placed into the real world.
27. On Second Thought…We May Not Be Hungry Anymore
Sometimes the idea and drawing up of an ad looks a lot better until it takes life in the real world. Take this one for example where from context clues it looks as though the spot is supposed to be a stomach. However, it looks a little bit like a butt!
28. There Are A Lot Of Ways To Enjoy Ice Cream
Most of us agree on specific ways of eating foods. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any other options out there. This ad shows a completely new way to enjoy ice cream by holding it by the top instead and eating from the side!
You would think connect four pieces would know how to play their own game. However, this advertisement shows different. As the red is only one away from winning the game instead it uses the blue blocker disc instead…
30. One Man Can Do It All
This man seems to be the jack of all trades! For this advertisement, they decided to just clone the same guy over and over again.
One user, Cleverbird, noted their intention behind the design stating, “Its intentional design, as evidenced by the motto “One contact, one team of specialists”.
31. The More You Look The Worse It Gets
There is just so much wrong with this advertisement. But mainly the looks of her arms. Also the fact that her controller isn’t even on.
32. “Make The Athlete Look Like She’s In Motion”
Well something is definitely in motion! Although a very cool design where they placed it just looks a little off. Quite funny for all who get to see it through.
33. From Dead Lawn To Completely Virtual
In just six to eight days you can take your dead lawn to a sea of virtual green grass! They even note that it grows
virtually in all soils. All for the low price of just $10.99 for a 1 lb. bag.
What the power of one letter can do. It’s the difference between addiction and addition. Doesn’t change the fact that math is still hard…don’t let it get you down!
35. The Rules Of Gravity Don’t Apply To Spiderman
Spiderman has the ability to hang upside down but it turns out that he is also able to keep a hot drink in his cup as well. The rules of gravity don’t seem to apply here. Or maybe everyone else is upside down and he is upright. Somethings we’ll never know.
This one intresting ad for burgers! One user,
Artemies, wrote a great saying to go along, “
All ye burgers that travail, and be charged, come to me, and I shall fulfill you.” – Grill’d“. That is until you notice it is supposed to read
HEALTHY burgers.
37. Is This Considered Murder?
Many of us love the M&M characters they brought to life. With each new color comes a new character. But wouldn’t this be considered as some sort of murder? A little grim for candy!
When running the water this ad makes you think twice about leaving it running or turning it on and off only as needed. However, when you are brushing your teeth you kind of spit on the poor child’s face. Maybe just close your eyes!
39. Looks Like Someone Took A Bite Out Of The Spoon Instead
Photoshopping things to look realistic is a tough job. But there are also many ways to photoshop an image to get the results you are seeking. It just might look a little bit off.
Just like this spoon which is supposed to be scooping up some cereal but due to the photoshop looks like someone took a bite out of the spoon instead.
They couldn’t think of a better way to advertise these apple sticks than sticking them throughs some corn. They could just as easily just call them corn sticks. But maybe that would be too easy…like we said earlier somethings we’ll never know.
41. Incoming Bright Future
What a great ad for graduation photography! Wait a minute is she standing on train tracks? Which would make that bright light a train…Incoming! Bright future ahead!
42. That’s Just Unfortunate
As we’ve seen some advertisements just take on a different design once they are placed in the real world or on a moving vehicle. As for this one, it’s just unfortunate that it’s an ad for teeth. Which right where you would see them a part of the bus completely covers them.
With all the powers of photoshop you would think it’d be easy to make anything look like anything! That is until you see a photo like this. Here we see an ad for a laptop stand….which the woman isn’t even using.
44. Photo In A Photo In A Photo
We aren’t sure if they just messed up the photoshop or if it was almost intentional. Either way a pretty cool edit. If you look closely it just goes on forever.
45. Don’t Look Away…From The Road!
Just ironic this ad had to be on the road. A place where you should really not be looking away! That is unless you are in standstill traffic like this photo shows.
46. Unless The Answer Is In The Box
Although this ad says to think outside the box it clearly shows the answer inside a box. Right below their correction to document thinking outside the box is the same answer just inside the box. Oops!
47. Wait Does That Window Say Die?
If you only see the left window this ad can be pretty deceiving. Although it’s still hard to read even when you can see both. Especially when the first window reads, “
Die For Success“.
48. Could’ve Just Used The Dumbbell As The “I” In Fitness
Sometimes the best design for things is right in front of our faces. But just as you can see we don’t always see them until it’s too late. For this, they could’ve just used the dumbbell as the “I” in fitness but instead now it kind of reads “F I I T N E S S”.
49. They Should’ve Said It Out Loud
With the change of one letter it can change a whole word or even the way it sounds. Maybe they should’ve practiced saying this out loud a few times first. Yikes!
50. Billboard For A Vampire
Sometimes the design can transform into a whole new ad once is blown up and placed. Take this ad for example where once this advertisement was blown up and hung Robert Greenberg looked to be a vampire! What looks like a Dracula cape with high collars is just a black diamond behind him.
Maybe they forgot about how tiny this device actually is when they added the hand. According to the measurements, the device is only 16 mm tall and 28 mm long. Which means that is one very tiny hand!
52. Bag Of Apples Featuring Character That Eats A Poisoned Apple
Maybe they should’ve picked a different Disney character to feature on a bag of apples. Especially not the character who was poisoned by an apple. Donkey would’ve made a great feature.
Some ads are just so interesting, so bad or so funny that you just can’t believe they are real. We’ve seen a lot of those throughout this slideshow. Take a look at this next one that is for a colon cleanse.
54. Enjoy A Massage Anytime, Anywhere…Even Behind The Wheel!
With this device you can sit back, relax and enjoy a massage at any time or anywhere. At home, at the office, or even in the car. But maybe just not in the driver’s seat!
55. Ad Placement In Stuttgart International Aiprort
This ad just so happened to have quite the interesting placement in the airport. Which as we know depending on the placement it can completely change the way an ad looks. And so with this placement, we have another ad that shows some crazy eyes.
56. Another Poor Placement
What are the odds these are placed side by side. Simply just poor placement. However, we don’t think anyone will be purchasing any wardrobes from this ad.
57. Image Of A Kitchen Rack Featured On Ebay
Now this photo of a kitchen rack for sale featured on eBay just looks completely fake. First, it’s not even placed on a wall. Then the more you look it just gets worse. We wonder if anyone ever bought it just to see what they would get in the mail.
58. Does That Mean This Tooth Has Genitals?
Now this is something many of us have never seen before. This ad design decided to provide the tooth with a leaf to cover its lower area. Which just completely changes the message of the advertisement.
We cannot tell if this is an ad for tall people problems or someone with a broken neck. Either way, the photo they chose for this ad is just awkward. Would only take a few clicks to fix this using photoshop…correctly.
60. It Looks Almost…Intentional
This lines up so perfectly it almost seems intentional. But we think it’s more of just an unfortunate placement once again. Hopefully not many took notice!
61. Instagram Ad That Celebrates Your Crippling Debt
The last thing you want to hear when you tell someone you are in debt is the words “
good news“. Leave it to an Instagram ad to celebrate your crippling debt. Hopefully, they can actually help.
62. “Join Hands” To Make Hospital “Infection Free”
Seems ironic to “
join hands” to make a hospital “
infection-free“. Many users had a lot to say about this photo:
“I got to hand it to them” – bergerac121
“This is getting out of hand” – imaginary_num6er
“seems there will be pointing fingers at the marketing dept.” – linux_n00by
“Marketing really failed to grasp the topic at hand” – carlingblaze
“Can we all just get a grip please?” – neverumynd
63. Food So Good It Wants To Eat Itself!
We can’t tell if this ad is good or bad. Somewhere in the middle since it seems pretty cruel but we do see the point in getting the message across that the food is so good it wants to eat itself. They even gave the cow a bib!
64. Chinese Ad For Pepper Mill
Yum pepper bread! We aren’t quite sure what they were exactly thinking with this ad using their product to put pepper on bread. But either way, the way the pepper is falling out of the grinder does look quite good!
65. Tiny Dog With A Huge Feeder
Either this golden retriever is very small or this is a large lifetime automatic dog feeder. Also what an odd photoshop job to place the dog feeder right in the middle of the carpet in the living room. One user,
Talonqr, writes, “
Their interior designer only had a…ruff idea on what to do“.
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