Stories
Marketing Campaigns Which Failed
A good marketing campaign makes a company look smart. However, over the years, there have been some campaigns produced by famous brands which did not sit well with people. Here are four such examples, where the idea behind the marketing campaigns by famous brands failed miserably.
Marketing campaigns which failed
1) Pepsi “Jump In” campaign
Pepsi’s 2017 marketing campaign featuring reality star Kendall Jenner is considered one of the biggest campaign failures by the brand. The campaign depicted Kendall Jenner trying to keep the Black Lives Matters protest under control by offering a can of Pepsi. The message behind the advertisement did not sit well with many people worldwide. The campaign received major backlash on social media and was pulled down just after one day of its release. The brand had to apologize for the campaign and PepsiCo’s president Brad Jakeman resigned from his position and described the campaign as “the most gut wrenching experience” of his career.
2) Audi “Chinese Wedding” commercial
A campaign by Audi China about second hand cars sparked outrage due to its controversial content. The advertisement tried to channel the idea of checking out a car before purchasing it. Unfortunately, this was depicted by a mother in law checking out her future daughter in law by pinching her lips and pulling her nose. The campaign followed the tag line “An important decision must be made carefully.” The campaign saw a public outcry because of its comparison of women to cars. The backlash caused Audi’s China division to publish an apology on their WeChat account.
3) Dove “Body Positive Packaging” campaign
Dove’s long running real beauty campaign is popular among many and is well received. However, its 2017 body positive packaging campaign became a failure. Dove released a limited edition packaging in England, which tried to represent the diversity of female bodies. The Company released only 7 bottles from which women could choose one based on their body shape. The packaging compared women’s figures to abstract, shapeless bottles of soap. The campaign’s message behind the packaging and the limited representation of body types came across wrong and became a punchline on social media.
4) McDonald’s “UK TV Spot” commercial
The UK McDonald’s ran a commercial where a young boy talks about his late father and how they shared a love for McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish sandwiches. McDonald’s received criticism for the campaign as people blamed the Company for exploiting grief to sell sandwiches. The backlash resulted in the commercial being pulled down permanently from all media sources.
If you think we missed any other failed marketing campaigns by any famous brand, comment below and let us know.
Apple has unveiled the new MacBook Air with M5 chip, starting at $999 for 13-inch and $1,299 for 15-inch models. The MacBook Air M5 boasts a 2nm M5 chip with 12-core CPU, 18-core GPU, and 50 TOPS Neural Engine for seamless AI tasks like real-time translation and 8K editing. Up to 22 hours of battery life, Thunderbolt 5, and Wi-Fi 7 make it the ultimate ultraportable, now 10% thinner at 0.44 inches with fanless cooling.
Key MacBook Air M5 features include Liquid Retina XDR display (500 nits, nano-texture option), 12MP Center Stage camera, and six-speaker Spatial Audio. Colors like new Sky Blue join Midnight and Starlight. Pre-orders are live today, with macOS Sequoia 15.4 enhancing Apple Intelligence and iPhone Continuity for students, pros, and remote workers.
Why buy MacBook Air M5 now? It outpaces Snapdragon X Elite rivals with ecosystem magic and future-proof performance, eyeing top 2026 laptop sales. CEO Tim Cook calls it “more capable than ever.” Visit apple.com for M5 MacBook deals and specs.
Delhi NCR-based gaming startup Zupee has acquired Mumbai-based microdrama platform Vertical TV in a deal valued under INR 40 Cr. This move strengthens Zupee Studio, its short-video arm launched in September 2025, by integrating Vertical TV’s expertise in bite-sized dramas like romance and thrillers.
Facing challenges from India’s 2025 real-money gaming ban, Zupee valued at $1 Bn after raising $120 Mn has pivoted to non-gaming content, including recent layoffs of 40% of its workforce. The acquisition builds on its November 2025 purchase of Australian AI firm Nucanon for interactive storytelling, targeting its 200 Mn+ users with engaging, mobile-first formats.
This deal underscores the rising microdrama trend in India, helping Zupee diversify amid regulatory pressures and compete in the short-video space dominated by quick, shareable content for on-the-go audiences.
T.N. Seshan’s name stands tall in India’s history as the man who transformed the nation’s electoral system with extraordinary courage and integrity. Born in 1932 in Kerala, Seshan grew up with values of discipline, education, and service to the nation — virtues that shaped his illustrious journey. From his early brilliance at Madras Christian College to his advanced studies in public administration at Harvard University, Seshan’s path reflected rare determination and intellect. Joining the Indian Administrative Service in 1955, he built a reputation as a no‑nonsense officer committed to efficiency and honesty, serving in key roles such as Secretary of Defense and overseeing vital national programs.
As the Chief Election Commissioner of India in 1990, T.N. Seshan sparked a new era of electoral integrity. In a system once marred by corruption, violence, and malpractice, Seshan brought order, fear, and respect through his groundbreaking reforms. He introduced voter ID cards, imposed strict spending limits on campaigns, and insisted on transparency at every level of the election process. Despite criticism from political circles that labeled him dictatorial, his relentless pursuit of fairness empowered every citizen to vote fearlessly. Under his leadership, the Election Commission became a symbol of strength and integrity in Indian democracy.
Seshan’s passing in November 2019 marked the end of an era, but his message continues to resonate across generations. Leaders from every corner of the country mourned the loss of the man who restored faith in free and fair elections. His enduring legacy reminds us that true leadership lies not in wielding power, but in serving people with honesty, courage, and conviction. T.N. Seshan’s life remains a timeless inspiration a reminder that democracy thrives only when its citizens are vigilant, responsible, and fearless.
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