As massive as the advertising industry is, it’s definitely not impervious to stepping in it. Companies can throw as much money at a campaign as they’d like, but getting a feel for what consumers want or don’t want is no perfect science.
Since this is still the case today, imagine what kind of marketing “professionals” that companies had to work with in the ‘70s. Sure, Mad Men showed us that the ‘60s took a quantum leap forward in this department, but again, it was no perfect science and these 1970s advertisers were no Don Draper.
Here are 10 ‘70s ad campaigns that had some serious blow back.
1
Gerber's Marketing in Africa
In some African regions, labels had to display pictures of the product's ingredients. Without these, the term “Baby Food” had consumers believing that Gerber jars contained baby meat.
2
Xerox - "Monks With A Copier"
This 1977 Super Bowl Ad took serious heat from religious groups, as it used religious imagery and monastic life in a humorous, almost mocking way.
3
Pampers in Japan
This '70s ad was completely lost on Japanese consumers since the stork folklore only exists in the West. In Japan, newborns arrive courtesy of a giant peach floating down the river. No one at P&G thought to check.
4
Gerber Singles
This "Baby food for adults" campaign was a complete failure since (as you may have guessed), creamed beef in a jar appetized no one.
5
TV Guide Promoted The Bible
Using Sonny & Cher, TV Guide wanted older generations to get into their younger stars. It felt forced, and teens just thought Sonny & Cher were lame.
6
Tareyton Cigarrettes - "Smokers Would Rather Fight Than Switch"
Yes, not wanting to switch means that their consumers must love their product, but the visual of a woman with a black eye was off-putting (even in the '70s).
7
Love's Baby Soft Perfume
In the '70s, Love's Baby Soft became arguably the most problematic ad of all time by objectifying young girls. Who exactly is this ad targeting here?!
8
McDonald's Onion Nuggets
Trying to appeal to vegetarians, McDonald's hyped up this strange alternative in 1978. It was discontinued within a year.
9
Pepsi - "Come Alive"
In the ‘70s, Pepsi tried breaking into the Chinese market, but “Pepsi: Come Alive” in Chinese directly translated to "Pepsi brings your ancestors back from the grave."
10
Jell-O Pudding Tarts
Yes, even she can make them. With the 2nd wave of feminism in the '60s, not many women were putting up with the airhead housewife trope anymore.
