It's a scary, unpredictable world for marketers these days and sometimes companies don't realize they've engaged in some problematic branding techniques. Other times, well, let's just say they know exactly what they're doingâ€"and it gets results.
At any rate, here are some of the most offensive, silly, awkward, and problematic branding techniques, from inappropriate dessert branding to offensive stuffed animals.
Implications - When a brand creates ultimate shock with an advertisement or product, it gains much more attention from the consumer world. When people are shocked about something they often tell others and that is how the ad or product manages to go viral. Going viral for good or bad reasons still gets the business a huge amount of attention. Like the saying goes, "any publicity is good publicity."
37 Branding Blunders
Problematic Brand Strategies, from Offensive Gum to Religious Co-Branding:
Katherinev123 — Oct 3, 2009 — Marketing

37
Offensive Magazine Features
Rolling Stone Reports Michael Jackson's Nose Missing

36
Offensive Advertising Mistakes
Mega Logo Blunders
35
Offensive Splash Pages
Hugs for Monsters Punishes IE6 Users With Scathing Anti-Welcome
34
Cheeky Packaging Designs
Brooklyn Fare's Branding Puts the Fun in Functional
33
Offensive Children's Clothes
The PeanutButter Mofo TShirt
32
Failed Sexvertising
Matthew McConaughey's Film Made $36,497, Despite Gratuitous Nudity
31
Violent & Offensive Video Games
'Rapelay' Removed From Amazon After Public Objects
30
Offensive New Yorker Covers
Obama Loves Osama
29
Innappropriate Dessert Branding
The Big Gay Ice Cream Truck Roams NYC
28
Offensive Candy
Fat Pig Chocolate
27
Offensive LEGO Figures
Shocking Toy Terrorists and Nazis
26
Guerrilla Grocery Labels
Shop Drop Montreal Rebrands the Shopping Experience
25
Abbreviated Fail Branding
Companies Named WTF, OMG & STD Could Give the Wrong Idea
24
Offensive Chewing Gum
Too Shy to Say It? Express Your Opinion With Chewing Gum
23
Mega Unbrandings
McDonald's Abstract ‘Quarter Pounder' Store
22
Accidentally Offensive Branding
Eyebrows Raise With 'Jewnail' Cosmetics' Contentious Name
21
Harrassvertising
Coke Bots Attack When You Buy Other Brands
20
Offensive Video Games
‘Fat Princess' Outrages Feminists
19
Catastrophic Candy Branding
Skittles Relaunches Website as Twitter Search, Offensive Tweets Ensue
18
Catholic Cross-Branding
Boston College Fashion at Victoria's Secret
17
Shocking Ironic Art Installations
Is Eugenio Merino's Damien Hirst Piece Offensive or Artist
16
Cross-Promotional Fails
Burger King Un-Friends Facebook Over 'Whopper Sacrifice' Snafu
15
Microsoft Branding Blunders
"I'm A PC" Ads Made on a Mac
14
Offensive Stuffed Animals
SpiderCamp
13
Stupid Names Get Attention
Catchword Branding Creates: Vudu, Promptu, BooRah, ItzBig
12
Beyond Offensive Political Wear
Supporters Hit New Lows (NSFW)
11
Offensive Viral Disruptions
Pantless Streaker Dances Across Courts at Australian Open
10
Offensive Child Toy Marketing
Strapya's Hip-Shaking Product Description Misses the Mark
9
Offensive Ringtones
'Psycho Teddy' Tune Protested by Mental Health Charity
8
Offensive Desk Toys
Terry the Swearing Turtle
7
Religious Co-Branding
Catholic Mobile Phone Carrier
6
Recession Rebranding
RecessIsOn Pursuades Us to ‘F_ck the Recession'
5
Offensive Cell Phone Ad Parodies
LOLz AT&T 'No Bars' Commercial
4
Offensive Traveling Billboards
Aborted Fetus On Moving Truck
3
Drug-Themed Eateries
'Marihuana' Restaurant in Taiwan Uses Smokin' Branding
2
Apple-izing Ordinary Objects
The Kraft iSnack 2.0 Attempts to Create Cool Through PC Lingo
1
Offensive Charity Promotions
Controversial Donation Cup Ad
Related Ideas
Creative Ad Responses
Kiehl’s Response to Censorship Embraces Bold Creativity
Playful Pet Accident Campaigns
IKEA Unveils the Don't Worry, You Can Afford It Campaign
Aggressive Athlete Ads
Nike Launches the Winning Isn’t for Everyone Campaign
Sound-Focused Ice Cream Ads
Magnum Ice Cream Ads Bring the Ultimate Sensory Experience to Life
Unsightly Oatmeal Campaigns
The Quaker 'Deliciously Ugly' Campaign Celebrates Oatmeal
Stress-Reducing Garbage Initiatives
The Hefty Brand Launches its 'Trash Time Out' Campaign
Playful Billboard Campaigns
Dreamies Treats Unveil a Show-Stopping 3D Billboard Campaign
Positive Social Media Campaigns
The New Tumblr Campaign Champions Community Over Controversy
Halloween-Inspired Pretzel Campaigns
Snyder’s of Hanover Debuts the 'Pretzelface' Campaign
Truth-Forward Beauty Campaigns
The Ordinary X Uncommon Unveil the Beauty Industry’s Biggest Myths
Film-Inspired Condiment Ads
GUT New York Forms the Heinz Smiles Campaign to Celebrate Joker 2
Holiday-Themed Gummy Candies
Trader Joe's New Festive Chaos of Gummy Candy Has Arrived
Premium Clean-Cut Drink Branding
The Sparkling ICE Branding Refresh Enhances Visibility
Comedic E-Commerce Brand Spots
Instacart Unveiled a Teaser for its Super Bowl Commercial
Sniffable Deodorant Billboards
Sure's Out-of-Home Campaigns Invites Passersby to Take a Whiff
Lollipop-Inspired Toothpastes
The Chupa Chups x Hismile Flavors Sweeten Daily Oral Care Rituals
Hug-Inspired Olympics Campaigns
Coca-Cola's Summer Olympics Campaign was Inspired by True Events
Ketchup Dispenser Billboards
'Smack for Heinz' Helps Fans Complete Meals with a Favorite Condiment
Athlete-Backed Shoe Campaigns
Nike Released Awaken Your Madness with International Soccer Players
Purposeful Consumer-Focused Campaigns
IKEA's Sleepfluencers Campaign is a Clever Way to Give Back
Break-Encouraging Soda Branding
The Diet Coke Break Campaign Includes Customized Cans
Influencer-Inspired Ads
Tomcat's Ad Shows an Influencer Mouse with a Fatal Unboxing Twist
Individuality-Focused Brand Campaigns
Adidas Originals' New Campaign Champions Timeless Classics
Candy-Branded Video Game Partnerships
The Mentos Fizzookas Rocket Debuted on Fortnite Creative
Bird-Shaped Food Packagings
Yu Guang and Fu Yu Han Design the Big-Billed Bird Food Concept
Athletic Apparel Interactive Billboards
Gymshark Unveils the Shoplift Campaign Ahead of Sale
Candy-Scented Squish Toys
These New Squishi Products Were Created with Mondelēz International
Fashion Industry Greenwashing Reports
Fashion Takes Action Zeroes in on Greenwashing Practices
Futuristic Imaginative Design Concepts
Toyota Introduces the Unique E-Collection of Products
Gen Z-Centric Campaigns
Urban Outfitters' Shift Happens Campaign Has Three Phases
Re-Energized Snack Campaigns
J.M. Smucker Co Introduced the ‘Speakie Snackie’ Campaign
Convention-Challenging AC Campaigns
Samsung's WindFree Ad Stars a Savvy Grandma-Fluencer
Cookie Re-Branding Makeovers
BrandMe Gives Lotus Bakeries a New Visual Branding
Refreshed Colorful Candy Brands
Elmwood Reinvents the New Skittles Branding Update
Retail Overconsumption Campaigns
Coachtopia's 'The Wasted Parts' Explores Overconsumption Culture
Sensitivity Marketing Campaigns
Cetaphil Teams Up with Lil Wayne for Super Bowl Spot
Comforting Fabric Softener Branding
The Snuggle Rebrand Updates the Entire Product Range
Sleek Cozy Footwear Rebrandings
The Refreshing UGG Rebranding Brings the Name to New Heights
Dynamic Basketball-Informed Marketing Campaigns
March Madness' New Campaign Features NCAA Athletes
Imperfect Cooking Campaigns
Knorr's #EffortIsEverything Campaign Celebrates Kitchen Mishaps
Cheeky Coffee Ads
Starbucks' New Ads Celebrate Personal Connections Through a Modern Twist
Humorous Mens Fragrance Campaigns
A New Axe Campaign Takes Sweetness to Absurd New Heights
Marketer-Targeted Cereal Ads
Surreal's Out-of-Home Campaign Speaks to Marketers, Not Consumers
Frozen Gummy Bear Treats
The Haribo Push Up Was Created in Partnership with Wall's
Drug-Themed April Fool's Gags
Innocean Berlin's Glory Over Pain Corporation Campaign is Satirical
Playful Retail Pop-Up Installations
Selfridges Unveils the Joke Shop with a Slapstick Generator
Fruity Creative Campaigns
Tic Tac® Chewy! Debuts the Soft on the Inside Campaign
Emoji-Centric Campaigns
Hubba Bubba's New Campaign Offers a Petition for a Bubble Gum Emoji
Data-Driven QSR Campaigns
Burger King's BK Unwrapped Reveals Customers' 2024 Ordering Preferences
Collaborative Butter-Brand Sweaters
Ugly Sweater x Danish Creamery Partner for a Festive Sweater
Whimsical Snack Machines
Jaffa Cakes Assembled an Interactive Installation to Entice Gen Z
Gen Z-Influenced Marketing Campaigns
Kraft Heinz is Studying Gen Z's Preferences with New Launches
Modern Tissue Brand Makeovers
Turner Duckworth Redesigns the Kleenex Branding Aesthetic
Scented Fast Food Billboards
McDonald's Set Up a French Fry-Scented Billboard
Confident Smile Campaigns
Aquafresh's New Oral Health Campaign Boosts Children’s Dental Confidence
Clog-Expansive Sneaker Brands
Crocs is Officially Pushing More Boundaries in Sneakers
Innovative Outdoor Advertising Campaigns
Unilever's Dirt is Good Turns Billboards into Playgrounds
Rule-Breaking Gummy Bears
Vandal Gummy Bears Flavors Challenge Conventional Color Pairings
Condiment-Flavored Toothpastes
Hismile Makes Toothpaste Sachets with Mustard and Ketchup Flavors
Spoof Sparkling Water Cans
Liquid Death's Can of Art Pokes Fun at a Controversial Work of Art
Video Game-Themed Candy Branding
The Hershey Company and Nintendo Announced a New Partnership
Statement-Making Oatmeal Outfits
Quaker Oats Debuted a Porridge Dress at London Fashion Week
Edgy Cruelty-Free Cosmetics
Barry M Beauty's Rebrand Embraces Its Rebellious Roots
Unholy Skincare Campaigns
e.l.f. SKIN's Divine Skintervention Saves All Skin Types
Visual Beer Brand Identities
Grolsch Has Unveiled a New Visual Brand Identity in Canada
Limited-Edition Food-Inspired Collections
The TUMS x FLAN Labs Gummy Bites Collection is Playful
High-Concept Brand Campaigns
The ‘Legitimate You’ Campaign Proves Every Brand Can Look Pro
Anthropomorphized Bath Products
Uoga Uoga Kids' Packaging Can Be Customized with Stickers
Bed Rotting-Themed Brand Campaigns
KIND Snacks Celebrates All KINDs of Good in the New Year
Artful Bandage Collections
The Met x BAND-AID Collaboration Shares Exclusive First-Aid Products
Rebranded Spicy Chip Brands
Frito-Lay Announced it is Reviving Flamin' Hot as its Own Brand
Stylish Soda Pop-Ups
Poppi World Enticed Health-Conscious, Fashionable Visitors During NYFW
Heritage-Driven Bread Branding
The Gonnella Baking Company Has Modernized its Legacy Profile
Heritage Brand Boot Ads
Blundstone Launches Global Campaign Celebrating Personal Boot Stories
Authentic Skincare Campaigns
We are Social France Spotlights Avène’s New Anti-Blemish Cream
Humorous Energy Drink Campaigns
Lucky Energy Debuts the Shangry Campaign
Gen Z Breakfast Campaigns
'Start the Day the Totino’s Way' Targets Teens Who Skip Morning Meals
Humorous Star-Studded Chip Campaigns
Pringles Unveiled its 'Call of the Mustaches' Campaign
Seasonal Soda Ads
Olipop's Christmas Ad Challenges Big Soda
Cheerful Healthy Snack Campaigns
Garden Veggie Snacks' YUMbelievably Delicious is Innovative
Bean-Filled Chocolate Eggs
UKSnackAttack Shares Imaginative "Snackfishing" Content on Instagram
Quirky Plant-Based Food Ads
Gosh! Food's Falafel Advertisement is Surprising
Body-Positive Brand Campaigns
Dove's Super Bowl Ad Challenges Toxic Body Talk in Sports
Confident Fashion Rebranding Campaigns
Boohoo Launches the People Will Talk... Campaign
Loyalty-Focused Branded DNA Kits
MUG Root Beer Pokes Fun with Its Limited-Edition Dawg DNA Kits
Specialty Cheese Campaigns
Alouette Unveiled its Creative 'Flavor That Sings' Campaign
Do-Good Pizza Taste Tests
The Good Tastes Better Social Experiment Sees Purpose Impact Perception
Harmony-Emphasizing 3D Advertisements
Wuliangye Debuted a Clever Ad in New York’s Times Square
Adult-Targeted Milk Chocolates
Gnaw Chocolate Makes Bold Flavors That Evoke Childhood Memories
Personal Break-Emphasizing Campaigns
KIT KAT® Strives to Protect Personal Breaks at Any Cost
Bottled Milkshake Mixes
Crusha's Refreshed Identity Appeals to a New Generation
Festive Everyday Biscuit Branding
Fox’s Burton’s is Launching Festive Packaging for the Holidays
Creative Cancer Awareness Campaigns
F Cancer Debuts the 'Pick Up Your Poop' Campaign
Excellence-Focused Bourbon Campaigns
Maker’s Mark Launches the Perfectly Unreasonable Campaign
Stigma-Breaking Motherhood Billboards
Molly Baz and Bobbie Send a Message of Empowerment
Ethical Soda Brands
Salaam Cola Combines Commercial Success with Social Activism
Expansive Spicy Snack Rebrands
The Flamin' Hot Brand Branches Off to Perform Standalone
Savory Bear-Shaped Potato Snacks
Pom-Bear Snacks Introduced New Flavors and Branding
Critical Spicy Snack Campaigns
The New Flamin’ Hot Campaign Puts Its Spice to the Ultimate Test
Tongue-in-Cheek Bread Campaigns
The St Pierre Eat Avec Respect Campaign is Arriving for Summer
Playful QSR Campaigns
Cossette Forms the New McDonald's Campaign to Closest Restaurant
Toy-Themed Sour Candies
Care Bears Sour Grumpy Gummy Bears Were Created with Warheads
Social Justice Desert Campaigns
Ben & Jerry's 'Make Some Motherchunkin' Change' Campaign Debuted
Global Storytelling Initatives
Vans Announces its Narrative-Centric Always Pushing Campaign
Marketing Social Advocacy Tools
Nut Tree Helps Smaller Brands Boost Their Presence
QR Code Turkey Branding
This New Butterball Branding Encourages Consumers to Engage with the Brand
Cheeky Childhood Yogurt Campaigns
The Petit Filous 'Mischief Makes Us' Campaign Embraces Fun
Bizarre Soda Campaigns
Dr Pepper's Try More Weird Disrupts Life's Boredoms with Weirdness
Alternative Butter Ads
Lurpak's Crush Expectations Redefines Plant-Based as Edgy, Not Earthy
Frozen Pizza-Centered Campaigns
Dr. Oetker Debuts the Frozen Pizza Publicist Campaign
Skateboarding-Inspired Ads
Vans Launched the ‘Always Pushing’ Ad Highlighting Skating Culture
Influencer Management Tools
Ogilvy Offers a Safety and Risk Management Tool for Marketing Brands
No-Nonsense Grooming Campaigns
The Rock Face Makes Scents Campaign Pokes Fun at Marketing Cliches
Startup Growth Strategies
Do Things That Don't Scale Offers Startup Tactics for Growth
Playful Baked Good Branding
Whaoo! Filled Crêpes Have Been Rebranded to Target Parents
Ethical Tea Commercial Campaigns
Clipper Teas Showcases its New Marketing Tactics for 2025
Cheeky Candy Campaigns
This Kinder Bueno Campaign Targets Millennial and Gen Z Consumers
Ice Cream-Inspired Superbowl Campaigns
Häagen-Dazs Aims to Connect with Younger Consumers
Frighteningly Festive Candy Products
These New Bazooka Candy Brands Halloween Products are Tasty
Expansive Rebranding Initiatives
MysteryVibe Goes Beyond Sexual Health and into New Markets
Revamped Cotton Swab Branding
Q-tips Packaging Has Been Updated for the Brand's 100th Anniversary
Non-Toxic Personal Care Products
Zebra Offers a Variety of Products with Clean Ingredients
Eye-Catching Value Crisp Branding
Discos Snacks are Introducing New Branding for its PMP Products
Nostalgic Seasonal Snack Campaigns
This Tyrrells Campaign Encourages Holiday Snacking
Cosmetic Branding Design Initiatives
The AmLactin x Kerasal #UnsexyDesignChallenge is Cheeky
Mango-Scented Newspaper Ads
Swiggy Instamart Launched a Scented Campaign in the Times of India
Tasty Nutritious Snack Campaigns
ALOHA Launches the Deliciously Satisfying Campaign
Ad Inspiration Archives
Nobody Reads Ads Showcases Print and Outdoor Ads With Notable Success
Comedic Groundhog Day Campaigns
Lay's Flavor for Days Campaign Taps into Groundhog Day
Rapper-Endorsed Flame Stove Campaigns
Snoop Dogg Presents Solo Stove's Blunt Marketing Campaign
Startup Name Generators
Bake Your Brand Uses AI to Create Unique Startup Names and Taglines
Debunking AI Apps
BSBot Helps Publicis Clients Tell the Truth About AI from Fiction at Cannes
Classic Ad Campaign Revivals
Seagram's 7 Crown is Reviving Old Ads for Its New Campaign
Anti-Stigma Cold Sore Treatments
Julie Aims to Destigmatize Cold Sores
Celebratory Odd Designs
Ridiculous Design Celebrates Weird and Wonderful Ideas Within Design
April Fool's Lifestyle Collections
Nugget Introduced Its 'Most Trendiest - High Endiest' Line Yet
Consumer Values-Based Audiences
Givsly Debuts Values-Based Audiences to Streamline Marketing
Digital Community-Branded Product Lines
The Girl Math Gang Debuts New Product Offerings
Branded Wholesale Candy Ranges
These New Sweetish Candies Come in Gummies and Lollipops
Digital Diversified Beverage Programs
Diverse Powered Brands Provides Online Operations Solutions