Funny Valentine’s Day Marketing Fails

Valentine’s Day offers brands a prime opportunity to connect with audiences through creative marketing. But… some campaigns have missed the mark, leading to public backlash. Here are some of our favourite Valentine’s Day marketing fails to enjoy.

#1 Card Factory’s ‘Work Husband’ Valentine’s Day Card

What Happened: Card Factory, a UK-based retailer, released a Valentine’s Day card addressed to a “Work Husband.” The card sparked outrage among shoppers who found it disrespectful and inappropriate, fearing it could cause trouble in real relationships.

What Went Wrong: The card was perceived as trivialising real relationships and promoting potentially problematic workplace dynamics.

What They Should Have Done: Conducted market research to understand customer sensitivities and avoided themes that could be interpreted as undermining personal relationships.

#2 Delta and Coca-Cola’s In-Flight Napkin Campaign

What Happened: Delta Air Lines and Coca-Cola partnered on in-flight napkins encouraging passengers to write their phone numbers to pass on to their “plane crush.” The campaign was intended to spark connections but was criticised for promoting unsolicited advances. Can we just say… brother eurghhhhhhhhh.

What Went Wrong: In an era of heightened awareness around consent and personal boundaries, the campaign was seen as tone-deaf and invasive.

What They Should Have Done: Prioritised passenger comfort by avoiding promotions that could lead to unwanted interactions, focusing instead on universally positive messages. Widen their focus group to a wider section of the target audience. Do solo women travellers want napkins from random men on planes? We’re going with no.

#3 Woolworths’ Gender-Stereotyped Valentine’s Day Advertisement

What Happened: South African retailer Woolworths released a Valentine’s Day advertisement that was criticised for perpetuating gender stereotypes, leading to social media outrage. We found it a bit lengthy to be impactful or offensive but maybe that’s just us!

What Went Wrong: The advertisement tried to be funny but instead, reinforced outdated gender roles, alienating a segment of their customer base seeking more progressive representations.

What They Should Have Done: Embraced inclusive and diverse portrayals in their marketing to resonate with a broader audience and reflect modern societal values.

#4 Pizza Hut’s $10,010 Engagement Package

What Happened: Pizza Hut offered a $10,010 engagement package, including a ruby ring, limo service, fireworks, and a $10 pizza dinner box which contains “a medium one-topping rectangular pan pizza, five breadsticks with marinara sauce and 10 cinnamon sticks with a sweet icing cup in one box. The promotion was widely mocked for its perceived tackiness.

What Went Wrong: The juxtaposition of luxury items with a low-cost pizza dinner was seen as inauthentic, failing to appeal to either luxury seekers or budget-conscious consumers.

What They Should Have Done: Aligned the promotion with their brand identity by offering experiences that authentically combine their product with romantic gestures, such as a special Valentine’s Day menu or themed dining experience. Just don’t do the heart shaped pizzas, it’s less pizza for us to enjoy!

#5 Bronx Zoo’s ‘Name a Roach’ Campaign

What Happened: The Bronx Zoo launched a campaign allowing people to name a Madagascar hissing cockroach after a loved one for Valentine’s Day. While intended as a quirky gift, it was met with mixed reactions.

What Went Wrong: The association of a cockroach with affection did not resonate with many consumers, leading to confusion and distaste.

What They Should Have Done: Chosen an animal or symbol more universally associated with positive qualities to ensure broader appeal and alignment with the sentiment of Valentine’s Day. Or… name a roach after an ex instead! In recent years, the greater public has gobbled up events dedicated to ex-lover-induced rages. One of those events is San Antonio’s Zoo’s annual “Cry Me a Cockroach” fundraiser. The Texas-based tradition makes donating to the organisation a little more fun by enabling the angry or heartbroken person to name a roach, rat or veggie after their ex. It will then be fed to a hungry animal. Not gonna lie, we love this one!

What’s the best, worst or funniest Valentine’s marketing campaign you’ve seen? Comment below and share it with us.