16 Ads That Tried to Be Funny and Completely Missed
Sometimes, trying to be funny only proves how out of touch an ad agency can be.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
Humor in advertising can be powerful, but when it misses, it misses hard. These 16 ads showcase how comedic attempts can backfire due to tone-deafness, insensitivity, or just plain bad timing. Whether by trivializing serious issues or relying on outdated stereotypes, these campaigns prove that humor without insight is a risky gamble in the ad world.
1. Pepsi – Kendall Jenner Protest Ad (2017)
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What was meant to be a lighthearted ad ended up trivializing real-life protests and social justice movements. Kendall Jenner handing a cop a Pepsi to solve systemic tension felt tone-deaf and sparked immediate backlash. The brand pulled the ad within 24 hours and issued an apology.
2. Audi – Chinese Wedding Commercial (2017)
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Audi ran an ad in China comparing a bride to a used car, with the groom’s mother inspecting her like a vehicle before the wedding. The tone-deaf joke about value and quality crossed the line from quirky to offensive. It left a sour taste and made viewers question the company’s view on women.
3. McDonald’s – Filet-O-Fish “Dead Dad” Ad (UK, 2017)
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In the UK, McDonald’s released an ad showing a boy connecting with his late father over a Filet-O-Fish sandwich. Instead of being touching or witty, it felt manipulative and exploitative. Public outrage forced the company to pull the ad and apologize for using grief as a marketing ploy.
4. Hyundai – Suicide Carbon Monoxide Ad (UK, 2013)
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Hyundai aired a bleak ad depicting a man attempting suicide in his garage, only to fail because the car was eco-friendly. It tried to be darkly humorous, but the subject matter was too raw and unsettling. Viewers found it offensive and distressing, especially among those affected by mental health issues.
5. Snickers – “Do Something Manly” Campaign (2008 Super Bowl)
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Two men accidentally kiss while eating a Snickers, then react by doing “manly” things like ripping out chest hair. It was supposed to be humorous but came off as homophobic and regressive. LGBTQ+ advocacy groups called out the ad for promoting toxic masculinity.
6. Calvin Klein – “Erotica” Billboard (1995)
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In an attempt to push the envelope, Calvin Klein aired ads with teenagers in voyeuristic casting couch setups. The grainy, edgy style was supposed to be ironic but instead looked disturbingly like child exploitation. Public outcry led to a federal investigation and the ads being taken down.
7. Peloton – “The Gift That Gives Back” (2019)
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A man buys his already-fit wife a Peloton bike for Christmas, and she documents her “fitness journey” in vlogs. The ad was ridiculed as sexist, tone-deaf, and unintentionally dystopian. Instead of humor, it left viewers uncomfortable and creeped out.
8. General Motors – Suicide Robot (Super Bowl 2007)
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This Super Bowl ad showed a robot dreaming of suicide after being fired for making a mistake on the production line. Meant to be comical and exaggerated, it was instead interpreted as insensitive to mental health struggles. Advocacy groups condemned it for trivializing depression and suicide.
9. Heineken – “Lighter is Better” (2018)
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Heineken aired an ad where a bartender slides a beer past several Black people to a lighter-skinned woman, with the tagline “Lighter is Better.” They claimed it was unintentional, but the racial implications were hard to ignore. Chance the Rapper called them out, sparking a public backlash.
10. Durex – “Pizza Delivery” Ad (South Africa, 2007)
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In this ad, a delivery guy opens a pizza box to reveal a condom instead of food, supposedly to spark laughter. It missed the mark entirely and came off more creepy than cheeky. Viewers found it awkward and uncomfortable rather than funny or clever.
11. Groupon – Tibet Super Bowl Ad (2011)
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Groupon aired an ad that started as a plea for Tibet’s cultural preservation, only to reveal Timothy Hutton dismissing it in favor of a Groupon deal at a Tibetan restaurant. The punchline undermined the seriousness of the setup. Critics slammed the ad for exploiting a humanitarian crisis.
12. GoDaddy – “The Kiss” Super Bowl Ad (2013)
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This ad paired a nerdy guy with a supermodel for a long, exaggerated kiss. Meant to be humorous, the execution made audiences cringe more than laugh. It reinforced awkward stereotypes and lacked the charm it was clearly aiming for.
13. Gillette – “We Believe: The Best Men Can Be” (2019)
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Gillette tried to riff on its old slogan while addressing toxic masculinity, bullying, and the #MeToo movement. However, many viewers found its tone moralizing and humorless, especially those who felt personally targeted. The attempt at a woke rebranding sparked polarized reactions and online debate.
14. Toyota – Swagger Wagon Rap Ad (2010)
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This ad featured a suburban family rapping about their Toyota minivan, trying to satirize hip-hop culture. Instead of being funny, it came off as forced and culturally tone-deaf. The awkward performances made it feel like your parents trying too hard to be cool.
15. Chevrolet – “Electric Slide” Bolt EUV Ad (2021)
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Chevy used the ’90s line dance “Electric Slide” to promote the Bolt EUV but mixed it with robotic dance moves and awkward humor. It was meant to be retro-charming but ended up looking like a dad joke gone long-form. The attempt at quirky branding fizzled with younger audiences.
16. Pepsi – “Refresh Anthem” with Bob Dylan and Will.i.am (2009)
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This ad mashed up Bob Dylan’s “Forever Young” with Will.i.am while showing clips of American progress. Meant to be funny and inspiring, it landed awkwardly — like a corporate remix of counterculture. Even Dylan fans were baffled by the brand’s attempt to claim coolness by association.
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- Ads
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- throwback
- offensive ads