Some of the outrageously dumb WTF decisions in picking a spokesperson.
By Edtrader
Companies that picked the worst person to represent them. Adult movie actress in a campaign ad, Hitler for a sex PSA, Shooting victim for a mattress ad. And many more.
Companies that picked the worst person to represent them. Adult movie actress in a campaign ad, Hitler for a sex PSA, Shooting victim for a mattress ad. And many more.
#10. Hitler For Sex Education.
In 2009, A German health campaign decided it was time to educate the youth about AIDS and HIV. A lot of campaigns use real people who have been infected. Or like convicts being used to 'scare straight' teens. They were looking for faces to apply to the campaign. So, someone thought, 'We need Hitler'! A string of TV ads began to run with Adolf Hitler having sex. There are dim lights and scary music. A face pulls up from the act, and it's the Nazi leader. AIDS IS A MASS MURDER appears on screen.
First off, no one wants to see Hitler having sex. Most AIDS organizations took their ball and ran from the ad. Spokespersons from the other AIDS groups said that this stigmatizes people who already feel the stigma and discrimination from the disease itself. Now they are in line with the likes of Hitler. And that it would discourage people from getting tested for the disease. In fear of being labeled a mass murderer in their minds. Furthermore, the ads say nothing about preventing the disease. So where exactly is the information and education?
First off, no one wants to see Hitler having sex. Most AIDS organizations took their ball and ran from the ad. Spokespersons from the other AIDS groups said that this stigmatizes people who already feel the stigma and discrimination from the disease itself. Now they are in line with the likes of Hitler. And that it would discourage people from getting tested for the disease. In fear of being labeled a mass murderer in their minds. Furthermore, the ads say nothing about preventing the disease. So where exactly is the information and education?
#9. Malala – Mattress Queen.
Malala Yousafzai is the face of freedom, women's education, and even survival. In October 2012, at age 14, she was boarding a school bus when a terrorist asked for her name. Then they shot her in the head. Since surviving, she has helped to open schools and to demand equal rights for women in Pakistan. Also racking up the youngest ever Nobel Prize win.
But the Kurl-on mattress people decided her face would help sell mattresses. So, they drew up an ad that had her shot before she fell onto their mattress. Then, to show how great their mattress is, she bounces up and collects her humanitarian award. Worse yet, they dared to use a bloody image of a young Malala.
Of course, as soon as the ad spread, it was panned worldwide. To the point where they had to apologize. The spokesperson for the group goes on to say they don't know how their standards were compromised. Did they really think using her name and face to sell mattresses was a good idea?
Malala Yousafzai is the face of freedom, women's education, and even survival. In October 2012, at age 14, she was boarding a school bus when a terrorist asked for her name. Then they shot her in the head. Since surviving, she has helped to open schools and to demand equal rights for women in Pakistan. Also racking up the youngest ever Nobel Prize win.
But the Kurl-on mattress people decided her face would help sell mattresses. So, they drew up an ad that had her shot before she fell onto their mattress. Then, to show how great their mattress is, she bounces up and collects her humanitarian award. Worse yet, they dared to use a bloody image of a young Malala.
Of course, as soon as the ad spread, it was panned worldwide. To the point where they had to apologize. The spokesperson for the group goes on to say they don't know how their standards were compromised. Did they really think using her name and face to sell mattresses was a good idea?
#8. Pfizer & Robert Jarvik.
In 2006, Pfizer was in need of someone to be the face of its Lipitor drug. TV commercials showed that Robert Jarvik was chosen because he invented the artificial heart. The commercials also had Robert offering health advice to go along with the drug's effectiveness. As well as showing he was so fit, that he could row across an entire lake.
Two things caught the attention of the United States Congress. One, he was a medical school attendee. But he never completed a residency to receive his license. Secondly, this was followed by the fact that it wasn't him rowing in the commercial. The House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which reports to Congress, started investigating the ads. Once they were through, Pfizer pulled the ads, and Robert was let go. The committee proved that they lied about him inventing the artificial heart. He was unqualified to be offering any medical advice. But they also proved that it was a stunt double who was filmed rowing in the lake.
It was a case study in false and misleading advertisement!
In 2006, Pfizer was in need of someone to be the face of its Lipitor drug. TV commercials showed that Robert Jarvik was chosen because he invented the artificial heart. The commercials also had Robert offering health advice to go along with the drug's effectiveness. As well as showing he was so fit, that he could row across an entire lake.
Two things caught the attention of the United States Congress. One, he was a medical school attendee. But he never completed a residency to receive his license. Secondly, this was followed by the fact that it wasn't him rowing in the commercial. The House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which reports to Congress, started investigating the ads. Once they were through, Pfizer pulled the ads, and Robert was let go. The committee proved that they lied about him inventing the artificial heart. He was unqualified to be offering any medical advice. But they also proved that it was a stunt double who was filmed rowing in the lake.
It was a case study in false and misleading advertisement!
#7. Beyonce, Let's Move Pepsi.
Beyonce is Michelle Obama's go-to girl for the first lady's Let's Move health campaign. One that says sugary sodas are one of the leading causes of childhood obesity. One of the biggest ads for the campaign shows Beyonce eating an apple while dancing, all healthy-like.
But it was not even a year earlier that Pepsi hired Beyonce to drink their 'sugary soda' while dancing. She does commercials for sodas, then turns right around and becomes the face against sodas. Michalle Obama and the Let's Move people picked her? Putting that aside, she did it for money. It's like a Jewish rights group asking Adolf Hitler to advertise for them.
Beyonce is Michelle Obama's go-to girl for the first lady's Let's Move health campaign. One that says sugary sodas are one of the leading causes of childhood obesity. One of the biggest ads for the campaign shows Beyonce eating an apple while dancing, all healthy-like.
But it was not even a year earlier that Pepsi hired Beyonce to drink their 'sugary soda' while dancing. She does commercials for sodas, then turns right around and becomes the face against sodas. Michalle Obama and the Let's Move people picked her? Putting that aside, she did it for money. It's like a Jewish rights group asking Adolf Hitler to advertise for them.
#6. Ted Cruz Hires Porn Star Amy Lindsay.
Our next blunder comes out of the 2015-2016 campaign for the presidency. Ted Cruz is running as a very conservative Republican. One that stands for good morals and decency. It was reported that an ad made for him featured a porn star. Porn isn't part of a morally driven life. They should have done their background work a little more intently.
The ad was meant to portray some Marco Rubio supporters who regretted voting for him. One of the ladies in the room was Amy Lindsay. A soft-core porn actress who was just earning a paycheck. As with all elections, every little detail is under the microscope. And it didn't take long for her acting credits to be reviled.
So, the ad was pulled, but not before it was downloaded and recorded for eternity. Obviously, a candidate doesn't hire actors and then direct his own campaign ads. But to Cruz's credit, he didn't hide the fact that it happened. He simply said she wouldn't have been hired if he knew her past. She has also said she has no ill will toward Cruz.
The ad was meant to portray some Marco Rubio supporters who regretted voting for him. One of the ladies in the room was Amy Lindsay. A soft-core porn actress who was just earning a paycheck. As with all elections, every little detail is under the microscope. And it didn't take long for her acting credits to be reviled.
So, the ad was pulled, but not before it was downloaded and recorded for eternity. Obviously, a candidate doesn't hire actors and then direct his own campaign ads. But to Cruz's credit, he didn't hide the fact that it happened. He simply said she wouldn't have been hired if he knew her past. She has also said she has no ill will toward Cruz.
#5. Karl Malone, Rogaine, He Didn't Have Hair.
Can you imagine a 600-pound person (no offense) telling you how this new diet helped them get so much better in shape? How about a bald guy to sell you Rogaine?
NBA star Karl Malone often joked about half of his head being bald. But it's rather funny that he would do ads for Rogaine.
For those that don't know, Rogaine is the leading at-home product to help bald and balding people grow hair. So, in 1997, with most of his hair gone, he sells to America that this product grows hair so well you should buy it. Charles Barkley even made fun of Karl over the deal.
Can you imagine a 600-pound person (no offense) telling you how this new diet helped them get so much better in shape? How about a bald guy to sell you Rogaine?
NBA star Karl Malone often joked about half of his head being bald. But it's rather funny that he would do ads for Rogaine.
For those that don't know, Rogaine is the leading at-home product to help bald and balding people grow hair. So, in 1997, with most of his hair gone, he sells to America that this product grows hair so well you should buy it. Charles Barkley even made fun of Karl over the deal.
#4. It's All A Lie
A.
Most people know that Michael Jackson had an accident while filming a Pepsi commercial. One that burned off a lot of his hair. But several autobiographies note that Michael Jackson didn't like Pepsi. And he told those around him he would film the commercial for money. But he would not be filmed drinking it.
Michael wanted to do the biggest tour production ever. Which also meant it was the most expensive ever. So, sponsors were needed. Promoter/manager Don King set up a deal with Pepsi to foot the bill in exchange for the sponsorship. Michael did the whole thing for the money. And he got his hair burned off in the process.
B.
As with most cosmetic companies, an attractive actress is what they search for in a spokeswoman. Tim Burton's go-to actress, Helena Bonham-Carter, was hired by Yardley to appear in print and TV ads. At a launch party for the partnership, the press asked Helena about her makeup favorites, to which she replied that she doesn't wear make-up. Yardley somehow overlooked the fact that Helena is one of many British actresses who stand for natural beauty. And at a press conference with the whole world looking at her, she says she doesn't use their products. She was dropped, and if you have never heard of Yardley, well, then there you go.
C.
Charlize Theron is one of the most attractive and versatile actresses around. But in this case, being versatile with her wristwatch brands cost her money. The Raymond Weil Company had to admit publicly that its spokeswoman did not even try to wear their watches. She was even contracted to do so. They won $20 million in a settlement against Charlize. Weil sued for breach of contract because she wore, openly, watches by Christian Dior and Montblanc.
A.
Most people know that Michael Jackson had an accident while filming a Pepsi commercial. One that burned off a lot of his hair. But several autobiographies note that Michael Jackson didn't like Pepsi. And he told those around him he would film the commercial for money. But he would not be filmed drinking it.
Michael wanted to do the biggest tour production ever. Which also meant it was the most expensive ever. So, sponsors were needed. Promoter/manager Don King set up a deal with Pepsi to foot the bill in exchange for the sponsorship. Michael did the whole thing for the money. And he got his hair burned off in the process.
B.
As with most cosmetic companies, an attractive actress is what they search for in a spokeswoman. Tim Burton's go-to actress, Helena Bonham-Carter, was hired by Yardley to appear in print and TV ads. At a launch party for the partnership, the press asked Helena about her makeup favorites, to which she replied that she doesn't wear make-up. Yardley somehow overlooked the fact that Helena is one of many British actresses who stand for natural beauty. And at a press conference with the whole world looking at her, she says she doesn't use their products. She was dropped, and if you have never heard of Yardley, well, then there you go.
C.
Charlize Theron is one of the most attractive and versatile actresses around. But in this case, being versatile with her wristwatch brands cost her money. The Raymond Weil Company had to admit publicly that its spokeswoman did not even try to wear their watches. She was even contracted to do so. They won $20 million in a settlement against Charlize. Weil sued for breach of contract because she wore, openly, watches by Christian Dior and Montblanc.
#3. Shot For Shot.
Anyone who has been over the age of 8 recently knows about the unrest in Fergusson, Missouri. Michael Brown was killed by a cop. And it's split 50/50 as to whether the officer was in the right. (I'm not pointing to any side here.) But this led to people going into anarchy.
Some groups that wanted the officer brought up on charges began to riot. Marching down streets and destroying property in their path. This was the most volatile time in the city's history. So, they need some good people to help bring ease to the madness. One of those folks is the public relations official of the city.
Public relations specialist Devin James was hired to help turn things back around into peaceful town. To ease tension over an unarmed shooting, they should bring in a clean person. But instead, they hired a man who had shot an unarmed man himself.
Yes, Devin Jones freely admits to the fact that he shot an unarmed man!
The public relations firm from which he is from has another problem attached. One of the things that spoke badly about the city was the nearly all white elected officials. Common Ground PR has nothing but white corporate marketers. This was a racially divided ordeal, and they hired an all-white firm.
Anyone who has been over the age of 8 recently knows about the unrest in Fergusson, Missouri. Michael Brown was killed by a cop. And it's split 50/50 as to whether the officer was in the right. (I'm not pointing to any side here.) But this led to people going into anarchy.
Some groups that wanted the officer brought up on charges began to riot. Marching down streets and destroying property in their path. This was the most volatile time in the city's history. So, they need some good people to help bring ease to the madness. One of those folks is the public relations official of the city.
Public relations specialist Devin James was hired to help turn things back around into peaceful town. To ease tension over an unarmed shooting, they should bring in a clean person. But instead, they hired a man who had shot an unarmed man himself.
Yes, Devin Jones freely admits to the fact that he shot an unarmed man!
The public relations firm from which he is from has another problem attached. One of the things that spoke badly about the city was the nearly all white elected officials. Common Ground PR has nothing but white corporate marketers. This was a racially divided ordeal, and they hired an all-white firm.
#2. Randy Orton Is Not A Hero.
One thing that the WWE (and most wrestling companies) have used a lot is outside of wrestling media appearances. Whether it be SNL, Johnny Carson, Jimmy Kimmel, or even movies. The Marine franchise played a huge part in making John Cena an outright star. When it came time to film Part 3, Randy Orton was picked. As a push to increase his popularity. But also, because he had been in the Marines himself.
Randy's former unit mate, CPL. Mike Vinn found out about him being cast. And said that, whether wrestling is fake or not, he should not be playing a heroic marine. That he is an outright disgrace to the uniform. As Randy was court-martialed and imprisoned for disobeying a direct order and for going AWOL twice. Other marines joined in, and it caught WWE's attention. After reviewing his military record, he was removed from the film role. The last thing you want to do is pi*s off the U.S. Marines!
One thing that the WWE (and most wrestling companies) have used a lot is outside of wrestling media appearances. Whether it be SNL, Johnny Carson, Jimmy Kimmel, or even movies. The Marine franchise played a huge part in making John Cena an outright star. When it came time to film Part 3, Randy Orton was picked. As a push to increase his popularity. But also, because he had been in the Marines himself.
Randy's former unit mate, CPL. Mike Vinn found out about him being cast. And said that, whether wrestling is fake or not, he should not be playing a heroic marine. That he is an outright disgrace to the uniform. As Randy was court-martialed and imprisoned for disobeying a direct order and for going AWOL twice. Other marines joined in, and it caught WWE's attention. After reviewing his military record, he was removed from the film role. The last thing you want to do is pi*s off the U.S. Marines!
#1. lindsay lohan Spokeswoman For Insurance.
If you are looking for a spokesman for anything involving a car, stay away from a DUI and/or DWI-filled star. You wouldn't hire Charles Mansion to portray a family counselor. And expect troubled couples to spend their money. However, Esurance has done just that. And who do they pick? Lindsay Lohan, yes, the drunken driving Mean Girls starlet.
Worse yet, she is playing a character that is a mom picking up her kids! Perhaps an ironic spoof. But once you add in the fact that innocent kids could be subject to her driving, given her past of one DUI after another, it's bad none the less.
If you are looking for a spokesman for anything involving a car, stay away from a DUI and/or DWI-filled star. You wouldn't hire Charles Mansion to portray a family counselor. And expect troubled couples to spend their money. However, Esurance has done just that. And who do they pick? Lindsay Lohan, yes, the drunken driving Mean Girls starlet.
Worse yet, she is playing a character that is a mom picking up her kids! Perhaps an ironic spoof. But once you add in the fact that innocent kids could be subject to her driving, given her past of one DUI after another, it's bad none the less.