Hello there, fellow marketing mavericks!
Welcome to the latest edition of The Techtonic, your go-to source for the funniest facepalms and the most educational blunders in the marketing world. This week, we're diving into the world of failed marketing campaigns, where billion-dollar companies manage to step on metaphorical banana peels in the most spectacular ways possible.
But first, let’s catch up on the latest in marketing news, fresh into summer. Speaking of summer, if your marketing strategy is as checked out as your average beachgoer, it might be time to grab a piña colada and reassess!
So, grab your sunscreen and settle in as we explore some epic marketing fails, complete with lessons on what not to do. Trust us, you’ll want to bookmark this for your next strategy meeting.
Enjoy the ride, and remember: in marketing, as in summer vacations, sometimes it’s the unexpected detours that make the best stories.
Stay cool and keep those campaigns hot!
📅 The Agenda:
🔔 Brand & Marketing: The Olympics have never been more stylish
💠 AI & Tech: Nvidia is still the “one”
🏷 Retail & Ecommerce: Subscription wars incoming
📢 Social Media: AI content is in trouble on several platforms
🎪 The Curiosity: What’s on June 26th?
📌 Weekly Insight : The Hilarious World of Failed Marketing Campaigns
🔔 Brand & Marketing
Off to the Olympics in style! Ralph Lauren Reveals Team USA Uniforms.
What should brands expect when going through a round of rebranding.
Pepsi shows off it’s new branded can. The move comes a few months after Pepsi’s new visual identity—including a new logo and an updated color palette—began hitting shelves
Bentley Motors has launched a new brand platform as it tries to position itself as more than just a luxury brand.
Nike is being taken to court for misleading investors. Ouch!
Gymshark’s new billboard campaign is basically inviting you to shop lift. Well that’s new…
Marketers should really embrace weirdness more, apparently.
After the craft beer craze, next on the list for craft brands is…..decaf coffee.
How should brands navigate the chaos of election periods?
Marketing for a senior audience - good practices
💠 AI & Tech
Record labels are suing two of the top names in generative AI music making. Copyright infringement bonanza incoming.
European Union regulators are biting into Apple, Google and Meta, in the first cases under a sweeping new law designed to stop Big Tech companies from cornering digital markets.
Nvidia is eying the Middle East as a new market for its new AI processors. Why you may ask? Well apparently it’s getting tricky to sell them in the US.
Speaking of Nvidia, ever wonder how they became the Ai giant we all know and love these days?
Amazon could soon incorporate conversational AI into its Alexa devices. If Alexa doesn’t sound like Samuel L. Jackson, I am not interested.
ChatGPT is only going to get smarter, with the new GPT-5 being Ph.D level smart.
Fake Elon Musk livestreams promoting crypto scams keep popping up on YouTube
If you were hoping to build an AI model in your mother’s basement, you can forget about that, as the price tag is beyond spicy.
🏷 Retail & Ecommerce
Australia is building a “code of conduct” for all large chain supermarkets and not following it will definitely sting bank accounts as the fines are steep.
McDonald’s is bringing back the 5$ meal. Penny pinchers rejoice!
Running shoes are running off with all the retail glory this year.
Amazon and Walmart are having a full on subscription war.
📢 Social Media
YouTube is rolling out new guidelines that will help record companies take down AI-generated videos that use artists’ likenesses or voices without permission. Scarlett Johannsen, is that you?
Audiobook’s popularity is on the rise as they become more and more mainstream.
Podcasts are also on the raise as shows see ad revenue skyrocket.
So I heard you want more followers. Here is how this creator grew his following to 30k in 30 days.
How to use Instagram notes as a creator or brand — and why it's a new feature not to be ignored.
When should you post on Facebook for the best engagement? Thousands of analysed posts later, we actually have an answer.
🛠 Tool Box
Automate 80% of repeat writing, thinking, and creative tasks with Spiral.
Summit AI is a life coach that helps you organize and track your goals, holds you accountable, and is there for you 24/7.
🎪 The Curiosity
2025 has been officially declared the “International Year of Quantum Science and Technology”
26 of June is International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. If you want to know how we’re doing in that front, you can check out the 2023 World Drug report here.
📌 Weekly Insight
The Hilarious World of Failed Marketing Campaigns
In the dynamic world of marketing, where the goal is to create a lasting impression, some campaigns succeed magnificently while others... well, let's just say they leave an impression of a different kind. These failed marketing campaigns often provide a treasure trove of laughs, lessons, and facepalms. Let's dive into the delightfully disastrous realm of marketing mishaps and extract some good practices to avoid stepping on the same rakes.
Pepsi's "Live For Now" Moment - Literally
In 2017, Pepsi launched an ad featuring Kendall Jenner, who solved a protest by handing a police officer a can of Pepsi. The backlash was swift and merciless. Critics accused the ad of trivializing social justice movements, and Pepsi quickly pulled the commercial.
Good Practice: Sensitivity is key. When addressing social issues, ensure the message is sincere and consult with representatives from the communities involved. Remember, soda can't solve systemic problems.
McDonald's "McDStories" – A Twitter Fail for the Ages
McDonald's invited Twitter users to share their #McDStories in 2012, hoping for heartwarming tales. Instead, they received a deluge of horror stories about food poisoning and questionable ingredients. The campaign became a public relations nightmare.
Good Practice: Always expect the unexpected on social media. If you're inviting user-generated content, be prepared for the possibility of negative feedback and have a plan to manage it.
New Coke – The Classic Blunder
In 1985, Coca-Cola decided to change its 99-year-old formula, introducing New Coke. The backlash was immediate and intense. Consumers felt betrayed, and Coca-Cola quickly reverted to the original formula, now branded as Coca-Cola Classic.
Good Practice: Don't fix what isn't broken. When dealing with beloved products, any changes should be incremental and carefully tested with loyal customers before a full rollout.
Burger King's Creepy King – A Mascot Misfire
Burger King's "Creepy King" mascot, with his unnerving plastic face and stealthy appearances, managed to unsettle more than attract. The campaign was memorable, but not in the way Burger King intended.
Good Practice: Know your audience. Mascots should be friendly and approachable, not the stuff of nightmares. Test mascots with focus groups to gauge reactions before launching them into the world.
Gap's Logo Change – A Branding Blunder
In 2010, Gap decided to refresh its iconic logo. The new design was met with such public outrage that Gap reverted to the original within a week. The whole fiasco is rumored to have cost $100 million.
Good Practice: Brand identity is precious. Major changes should involve thorough market research and, ideally, incremental updates. Engage your audience in the process to gauge their reactions and foster a sense of involvement.
Good Practices for Avoiding Marketing Missteps
Know Your Audience: Understand the preferences, values, and sensitivities of your target demographic. Missteps often occur when companies are out of touch with their audience.
Test Thoroughly: Pilot your campaigns with small focus groups. Gather feedback and make adjustments before a full-scale launch. This helps to catch potential issues early.
Be Authentic: Authenticity resonates. Consumers can spot disingenuous messages a mile away. Ensure your campaigns reflect your brand's true values and mission.
Prepare for Backlash: No matter how well-planned, be ready for negative feedback. Have a crisis management plan in place and be prepared to respond swiftly and appropriately.
Engage with Caution: When using social media or other platforms that involve direct consumer interaction, tread carefully. Monitor the responses and be ready to steer the conversation in a positive direction.
Marketing can be a rollercoaster of creativity, innovation, and sometimes, disaster. By learning from the blunders of the past, today's marketers can craft campaigns that not only avoid pitfalls but also resonate deeply and positively with their audience. So next time you're brainstorming that next big idea, remember: one man's viral sensation could be another man's epic fail.
Read theTechTonic #62 - Weekly Insight - How Gamification Can Make Your Campaigns More Fun
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