Bad Ads-Someone SPEAK Up

Bad ads are everywhere. They make me question who was sitting in the conference room and didn't speak up. Some of these ads are locally produced and some of them are national. People make a lot of mistakes when it comes to marketing.

1. Do not make the consumer feel stupid. Don't overcomplicate your message. You have 5 seconds to get their attention and the last thing you want is to leave your customer scratching her head. Here is an example:

Women love babies. This picture will get their attention. She can easily start a college fund. She can revise her will. But wait. You want her to do what? Undo global warming? She's suddenly overwhelmed and moving on. Your intentions were good, but forget it. You have made her feel stupid.

2. If you're selling cars, lose the puppies. What do puppies have to do with purchasing a car? Stop using objects unrelated to your product. Be truthful and the customer will respond. There are occasions where this concept has worked: cue Budwiser frogs.

Sharks? Besides making me ill and afraid, this ad is untruthful. Tampax will save me in shark infested waters? Someone in a big shiny boardroom didn't speak up and I'm guessing it was a woman. Shame on you.

Along these lines...I'm hoping this ad came from a college student with a sense of humor. This is just bad.

Another example. Stuffed animals falling from the sky? I instantly think about children falling from a plane. What is this ad for again?

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