2. To commemorate its initial flights from
Hong Kong, United Airlines handed out
white carnations to the passengers.
Oops…
For many Asians white flowers represent
bad luck and even death.
3. A company advertised eyeglasses in
Thailand by featuring a variety of cute
animals wearing glasses. ‡
The advertisement was a poor choice
since animals are considered to be a
form of low life and no self
respecting
Oops..
The reason for the company’s failure
in Thailand was they misjudged
the social customs of Thailand.
A company advertised eyeglasses in
Thailand by featuring a variety of cute
animals wearing glasses. ‡
The advertisement was a poor choice
since animals are considered to be a
form of low life and no self
respecting
Oops..
The reason for the company’s failure
in Thailand was they misjudged
the social customs of Thailand.
4. In Africa, with a high level of
illiteracy, most companies put
pictures of what's inside on the
label.
They assumed that Gerber was
selling babies as food,
instead of food for babies
(Creative Translation).
Oops…
Gerber Baby Food did not sell well.
In Africa, with a high level of
illiteracy, most companies put
pictures of what's inside on the
label.
They assumed that Gerber was
selling babies as food,
instead of food for babies
(Creative Translation).
Oops…
Gerber Baby Food did not sell well.
6. Pepsi’s attempt to translate their
slogan “Come alive with the
Pepsi Generation” to Chinese
Oops…
It worked out to be “Pepsi brings
your ancestors back from the
dead”
7. "The future's bright … the future's
Orange." That campaign is an
advertising legend. However, in the
Northern Ireland the term Orange
suggests the Orange Order.
The implied message that the future is
bright, the future is Protestant,
loyalist... didn't sit well with the
Catholic Irish population.
"The future's bright … the future's
Orange." That campaign is an
advertising legend. However, in the
Northern Ireland the term Orange
suggests the Orange Order.
The implied message that the future is
bright, the future is Protestant,
loyalist... didn't sit well with the
Catholic Irish population.
8. Chevrolet, disappointed in sales to a key
Hispanic demographic investigated why.
Oops…
Nova in Spanish is “no-va“ or
It Won’t Go
Chevrolet
9. The American slogan for Salem
cigarettes, "Salem - Feeling Free,"
got translated in the Japanese market
into "When smoking Salem, you
feel so refreshed that your mind
seems to be free and empty."
The American slogan for Salem
cigarettes, "Salem - Feeling Free,"
got translated in the Japanese market
into "When smoking Salem, you
feel so refreshed that your mind
seems to be free and empty."