Soon after the initial video was released, women everywhere were sharing personal stories and showing support for younger generations to challenge traditional gender roles. This was replaced with ads for delivery services, an actual solution to the social distancing problem. Released in 2017, the Pepsi ad made the headlines for piggybacking of the Black Lives Matter movement to promote their product. -This is your brain on drugs, any questions? **Result: Reputational damage is no longer limited to the place or time that the controversy occurred. EA now faces lawsuits in France, Belgium, and California, where more than 100 individuals are seeking damages of $5 million or more, alleging that EA not only relies on creating addictive behaviors in consumers to generate huge revenues, but that EAs Ultimate Team Packs are predatory and designed to entice gamers to gamble.. Making things worse is the half-hearted efforts by name brands to show solidarity with customers stuck in quarantine. By conducting business as usual, NCL was putting their customers lives at risk. **Result: Getting consumers singing your slogan like McDonalds did with im lovin it is a marketers dream. This wasnt the first time Reebok released a controversial ad though, the below image was released as part of a campaign for Reebok Russia. We have been working diligently with Smyths to ensure this advertisement is not distributed in any remaining copies of their 2020 catalogue. This incident is the second time EA has targeted kids with microtransactions, and it may cost them dearly. Here are 5 other big brands whose campaigns caused a stir. McDonalds pulled promotion for the campaign after just two hours, but by then the damage was already done. Following a backlash, McDonalds removed all evidence of the campaign. The company created a billboard campaign that included his social security number to demonstrate just how safe their services really were. 9. That being said, at no point in the real or virtual world should your brand push microtransactions at kids. Seriously, who is qualifying this stuff for distribution?! They saw it as a cheap shot at a government trying to protect its citizens. The last branding campaign may have been a little weird, but this gaffe by Mdecins Sans Frontires (MSF) shows us that brand fails are not limited to name brands and multimillion dollar Super Bowl ads. But if youre a marketer looking to introduce a little controversy into your latest campaign, remember that theres a fine line between the worst and best ad campaigns in history. I'd like it to have Consumer Report credibility, and. In all likelihood, Tresemmes branding team did not consider the deeper, cultural significance of calling African hair frizzy and damaged, especially in South Africa, but that is their mistake. Why Sport? **Result: It didnt seem to target anyone. Earning them a solid place in the sexist ads hall of fame. That is afterall the definition of insanity. **For some, Jack-in-the-box triggers emotions of fear and terror while awaiting a tiny goblin/elf to explode up through a tiny box. However many other people think their marketing strategy was dishonest and distasteful, playing on the hopes and dreams of people who needed money the most. Goal: Use slang to target a young and in-tune culture of fast food eaters through online banner advertisements. What sick mind dreamt up this twisted concept? **Through advertisements with Budweiser referees stealing back the stolen beer Miller Light referees had taken in their own commercials, Budweiser was playing right into the hands of Miller. throw in another gender stereotype! Helping technology companies continue to innovate, grow, and expand their offerings. Only the worst and most controversial ads have made this list. Your brand image, PR team, and the world will thank you. The video ad is loud, sweaty, gooey, confusing, and not appetizing at all. In 2018, an ad on Snapchat asked users whether theyd rather slap Rihanna or Punch Chris Brown, presumably referencing the Browns publicized domestic violence assault on Rihanna from 2009.