20 Times Advertising Didn't Work Out Like The Brand Hoped It Would

Advertisers are constantly trying to capture our attention. Whether this comes in the form of ads plastered on unrelated products, random ads on your phone, or just the traditional flyers and signs, it's hard to escape the grasp of advertising.

Let's take a cathartic look at the ads that may have captured our attention, but will never capture our money.

"Can someone please explain what's happening here? A weirdly specific screen door ad."

Reddit | awanderertarot

This screen door is super easy to walk through, even if your hands are occupied by the body you're carrying. That's my takeaway from this ad, at least.

"Took the least iconic part of the guitar and made it less recognizable by adding wheels."

Reddit | MuseumGoRound13

They didn't need to do this. They could have just taken a silhouette of a whole guitar. They didn't need to add wheels. All of this could have been avoided.

"They got so lazy with this ad that they drew the sunglasses."

Reddit | GOLDMUNCHAR

Two takeaways here: LMAO indeed at the hastily drawn in sunglasses. Also, I like the idea that someone thought that the only thing missing from this ad, the only thing that would make it sell, was a pair of sunglasses.

"Car dealer puts the same picture for different cars on a printed ad."

Reddit | makhlouf2003

I don't know about you, but when it comes to two absolutely identical vehicles, I'm going to pick the one that costs significantly less money. It's just fiscally responsible.

"I have no idea what this ad was trying to sell me."

Reddit | Popermo

Sometimes you see ads like this, and I just don't get them. Do they ever get any business? If so, who clicks on something as vague as this?

"This travel agency ad on a bus."

Reddit | dominikskeries

When you pay to get your product plastered on the side of a bus, it's a good idea to understand what the bus itself looks like. If you don't, you might wind up with a wheel boob.

"This mobile ad says it is a fun game for your brain, yet portrays the player smashing their phone screen in frustration. Doesn't sound fun to me."

Reddit | TheCrazyKulu

To be fair, if you're one of the few people who really has a lot of fun when they're frustrated, this is right up your alley.

"This anti smoking ad implies some people can buy new brains."

Reddit | Bitgedon

I'm really glad I'm not a youth anymore. There are many good reasons for this, but first and foremost is the fact that I can now buy a new brain.

"This German pills ad."

Reddit | Lunin_101

Usually, ads that show two pictures of the same person are demonstrating a 'before and after' effect. But in this case, I don't think the women is doing any better now that she's die schnelle hilfe bei verstopfung.

"This ad tries to show how easy it is to clean the floor with their product, but in the end of it, the floor is clearly still dirty."

Reddit | name_unbekannt

They could have cleaned the floors. They could have Photoshopped the floors to look clean. But, well, they didn't.

"Upbeat cemetery ad."

Reddit | pfdemp

I'm really curious how a cemetery can claim that they stand with you when they're marketing their plots. Like, if I buy one and then get buried, will they hang out by my grave or something?

"Couple watches on proudly as child stares at dead cockroach. Dog for extra 'happy family' points."

These 'happy family' ads are always designed to tug at the heartstrings with an image of an idealized family. I guess this might be someone's idealized family.

"The text placement on this ad."

Reddit | DoodleTM

I like those peanut butter Nature Valley bars as much as the next guy, but I might have to lay off them if they mess up your teeth this badly. I guess they are pretty crunchy, to be fair.

"Ad for a beer found here on Reddit. What is up with that guy's feet?"

Reddit | Heisenbear09

I'm no whiz when it comes to Photoshop, but it seems like they could have just made it look like this guy's legs were behind the other guy, rather than this monstrosity.

"This ad I saw is terrifying."

Reddit | A_killer2008

I like the idea of a deal that'll make me smile. The idea of a deal that'll make me, and everyone else I care about, smile like Pennywise the clown is somewhat less appealing.

"This ad inside a carriage on the Melbourne Star. I'm not sure what's going on with the arms, but I'm pretty sure that's not how arms work."

Maybe in the near future we'll have cameras that can actually do this.

"Sure, place an ad with a guy drinking water next to rubbing alcohol of the same brand."

Reddit | labanapoy

Those bottles sure do look refreshing, especially in the context of the ad below, but you probably shouldn't chug rubbing alcohol.

"Anyone for tennis ball? From a scratch ticket ad on FB."

Reddit | grizznuggets

This ad starts off fairly strong with the football, basketball and baseball, but then it devolves into chaos. Anyone up for a spirited game of rugby ball? Or is tennis ball your game?

"It's bloody great!"

Reddit | flopsychops

I'm no advertising exec so take this with a grain of salt, but I think it might be a good idea not to plaster the word 'PERIOD' in big bold letters on top of a picture of food.

"I went to a movie last night and this was the cup I got..."

Thanks to the pandemic, this movie didn't come out in June of 2020. But it would be irresponsible to let these perfectly good cups go to waste.

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