10 Famous Commercials That Were Banned for Being Too Controversial

Some commercials push the limits so far that they are banned—but not before making a lasting impact.

Sophia Zapanta
March 11, 2025
4 min read

10 Famous Commercials That Were Banned for Being Too Controversial — KoolShooters on Pexels

Advertising is all about grabbing attention, but some brands have gone too far, sparking outrage, lawsuits, or even government intervention. From inappropriate humor to shocking imagery, these commercials crossed a line that led to their removal from the airwaves. Let’s look at the 10 infamous ads that stirred up so much controversy, they were shut down for good.

1. Pepsi’s Kendall Jenner Protest Ad

VOGUE Taiwan on Wikimedia Commons

Pepsi tried to capitalize on social justice movements by showing Kendall Jenner handing soda to a cop as if that could magically solve deep-rooted issues. The backlash was swift, with critics calling it tone-deaf and exploitative of real protests. Within 24 hours, Pepsi pulled the ad and apologized, but the damage to their reputation was done. This commercial remains a textbook example of how not to mix activism with marketing.

2. GoDaddy’s Puppy Ad

GoDaddy on Wikimedia Commons

In an attempt to parody Budweiser’s famous puppy commercials, GoDaddy showed a lost puppy returning home—only for the owner to announce they had sold it online. Viewers were horrified, accusing the company of making light of puppy mills and irresponsible breeding. Animal rights activists pushed back hard, and GoDaddy quickly pulled the ad before it aired on TV. The company later admitted they had miscalculated the public’s reaction.

3. Ford’s India Print Ad

Otoparcasan.com on Wikimedia Commons

Ford ran a shocking print ad in India featuring bound and gagged women in the trunk of a car, implying a violent or misogynistic theme. The ad was supposedly meant to be humorous but sparked outrage for its tastelessness instead. Even worse, it surfaced during a time when India was dealing with serious issues regarding women’s safety. Ford immediately distanced itself from the campaign, blaming a rogue advertising agency.

4. Nike’s Colin Kaepernick Ad

Carolyn Davidson on Wikimedia Commons

Nike took a bold stand by featuring Colin Kaepernick, the ex-NFL player who sparked controversy by kneeling during the national anthem. Supporters praised the brand for backing social justice, while critics accused them of being anti-patriotic. Some customers even burned their Nike gear in protest, but the company’s sales actually skyrocketed. This ad proved that controversy can sometimes be a profitable marketing strategy.

5. Volkswagen’s “Little Hitler” Ad

Ivan Radic on Wikimedia Commons

A Volkswagen ad in the UK tried to be edgy by showing a tiny, mustached man in a car resembling a baby-faced Hitler. The bizarre concept was meant to be humorous, but it outraged audiences. Volkswagen, a company with a history linked to Nazi Germany, was quickly forced to pull the ad. It was a perfect example of how some jokes should never make it past the brainstorming phase.

6. Just for Feet’s Super Bowl Ad

Pauline Dabrowski on Wikimedia Commons

Just for Feet, a shoe company, ran an ad during the Super Bowl that depicted a group of white men hunting down a barefoot African man to put shoes on him. The ad was meant to be funny, but viewers saw it as disturbingly colonialist and racist. The backlash was so intense that Just for Feet not only pulled the ad but also filed for bankruptcy not long after. It remains one of the biggest advertising disasters in Super Bowl history.

7. KFC’s “Finger-Licking” Pandemic Ad

Dinkun Chen on Wikimedia Commons

KFC’s slogan, “Finger Lickin’ Good,” worked well—until the COVID-19 pandemic hit. In 2020, they released a commercial featuring people licking their fingers, just as the world was being told to avoid touching their faces. The timing was so terrible that KFC had to pull the campaign and issue a statement acknowledging their poor judgment. It was a classic case of a brand not reading the room.

8. Hyundai’s Suicide-Themed Ad

Hyundai Motor Company on Wikimedia Commons

Hyundai once ran an ad showing a man trying to commit suicide using one of their cars—only to fail because the vehicle’s emissions were too clean. The company thought it was clever, but viewers found it disturbing and insensitive. Mental health advocates condemned Hyundai for making light of a serious issue. The company quickly apologized and withdrew the ad, but not before causing significant outrage.

DigitalIceAge on Wikimedia Commons

LifeLock, a company selling identity theft protection, ran an ad where their CEO boldly displayed his real Social Security number, claiming their service was foolproof. The problem? Hackers took it as a challenge and repeatedly stole his identity. The stunt backfired spectacularly, and the company later faced fines for deceptive advertising. It turns out, daring criminals to steal your identity isn’t the best marketing move.

10. Bloomingdale’s Inappropriate Holiday Ad

Keizers on Wikimedia Commons

Bloomingdale’s ran a holiday ad that suggested a man should “spike your best friend’s eggnog when they’re not looking.” What was meant to be playful came across as promoting non-consensual behavior. Customers and advocacy groups slammed the brand for the shocking message. Bloomingdale’s quickly apologized, but the damage was already done.