Marketers know that we are attracted to bright colors, a pleasant voice announcing the start of a promotion, and, of course, discounts. It seems that everything in advertising is thought out to the smallest detail, but this is not so. Even large companies can screw up so badly that a mistake can cost them millions and even billions of dollars. So here are some of the examples below.
Apple and U2 album
In 2014, Apple decided that people would definitely like the new U2 album, so the company signed a contract with the group and automatically downloaded the album to all Apple devices. After all, everyone loves free stuff, Apple thought. It’s just that people love free stuff if they need it. The album took up a lot of memory space and could not be deleted in any way, which, accordingly, few people liked. But an even bigger problem was that the album wasn’t free for Apple. They spent $100 million on marketing alone, plus the same amount they paid U2. Later, Apple was allowed to delete songs from devices.
1.5 million balloons
On September 27, 1986, the American company United Way decided to break the record and launch 1.5 million balloons, thereby declaring itself. In the city of Cleveland. Around 2500 people inflated thousands of balloons with helium, and then the roof was opened and the balloons were released. It was a wonderful sight, but only for a few minutes Because of the rain that came at the time of launch. Balls instantly nailed to the ground, and the wind blew all over the city. As a result, all city transport stopped, and the runway and the pier were closed. It also resulted in the death of two boatmen, who could not be found due to the fact that the balls were strewn all over the local lake. The wife of one of the victims sued the company for three million dollars. In addition, the company paid millions to the city to pay damages.
Weather Prediction by Walkers (Lays)
n 2010, the British company Walkers Crisp( known as Lay’s) decided to hold an unusual action according to the company if a person bought a bag of chips for 40 pence (about 65 cents), then he could go to the site and try to predict when it would rain. If the prediction came true, then the buyer will won ten pounds (about $16). However, the problem was that the competition was held in England (where it is often cloudy). Therefore, it soon turned out to be such a rainy week that every prediction came true. In just this week, the Walkers have lost over a million pounds and have continued to lose money.
American Airlines and free flights for life
In 1981, American Airlines decided to provide an opportunity for wealthy customers to buy a subscription to unlimited flights. For $250,000, the client was entitled to an unlimited number of free first-class tickets. And for an additional 150 thousand, you could buy a subscription for your friend. Marketers thought that only large companies would use the pass to transport their top managers, but everyone started buying subscriptions. So, one guy flew to London 16 times in one month. As a result, the company was forced to carry thousands of passengers for free and lost five million dollars in a week. Subscriptions were immediately canceled, and the money was returned to cardholders.
The biggest popsicle in the world
In 2005, Snapple (Dr. Pepper’s beverage company) decided to expand its product line to include ice cream. They came up with a grand advertising campaign to make the world’s largest ice cream and enter the Guinness Book of Records. Eskimo weighing 17.5 tons was frozen at the factory and was supposed to be delivered to New York. Huge ice cream in the hottest season of the year in the middle of hot asphalt. So when the ice cream was brought to the very center of the city and the truck was opened, waves of strawberry syrup poured out from there, covering everything in its path. As a result, the streets were closed for two days, and the company spent millions of dollars on damages and cleaning the streets.
Oprah and KFC
In 2009, KFC decided to promote their new dish by giving it away for free. Wanting to maintain a low profile, KFC announced its offer to the show of the little-known artist, Oprah Winfrey. But underestimated the audience of Oprah and television. So when viewers found out they could print a voucher for a free lunch at KFC, 16 million people did. And they came to KFC all over the country. Lunches ended within hours, and before the end of the action, the company lost $ 40 million and paid the same crazy amount to Oprah for advertising.
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