Bad Marketing 101

stubeeef · Feb 25, 2005, 09:06 AM

Link

Quote:

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - A pharmaceutical company which sent anonymous Valentine's cards to Dutch gynecologists in a publicity stunt has been forced to apologize for sparking family arguments.

The doctors and their partners were furious with the company -- whose Web site says it mixes "the ingredients for health and happiness" -- after the firm sent cards saying "Now shall we tell everyone?," De Telegraaf newspaper reported Thursday.

A second card was dispatched to the 800 doctors the next day explaining that the first had been a gimmick to promote a new product.

In some cases, the cards caused so much distress that the company, Organon, sent apologetic bouquets of flowers, the newspaper said.

I bet is hard being married to a gynecologist, but this company didn't help any!

Don't want to be a field rep walking into some of these offices!

PlaceofDis · Feb 25, 2005, 09:20 AM

wow, some companies' marketing departments are really stupid, but thats really no big surprise is it?

virividox · Feb 25, 2005, 11:19 AM

genius!!!

clayj · Feb 25, 2005, 02:25 PM

I still don't think this is as funny as when Electrolux decided to convert their favorite marketing slogan from Swedish to English without first consulting with anyone who spoke idiomatic colloquial English to see if it would be OK. The result:

"Nothing sucks like an Electrolux."

BubbaJones · Feb 25, 2005, 03:26 PM

Speaking of marketing genius... Has anyone heard the Cumberland Farms adds? "Come in to Cumby's".

Link I tell ya, I'm not thinking of a convenience store when I hear that stupid add.

yellow · Feb 25, 2005, 03:34 PM

LOL! I haven't heard "Cumby" in a long-ass-time! Ah how I miss New England.

Makosuke · Feb 25, 2005, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BubbaJones

"Come in to Cumby's".

Link I tell ya, I'm not thinking of a convenience store when I hear that stupid add.

As it's not slang I'm familiar with and Google didn't help, care to enlighten us on what it sounds like to you? Apparently "Cumby's" is a pretty common expression in the area that has the stores.

dotdotdot · Feb 25, 2005, 06:30 PM

lol...

Thats a GREAT Valentines day gift! How many people had to sleep on the couch THAT night??

yellow · Feb 26, 2005, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Makosuke

As it's not slang I'm familiar with and Google didn't help, care to enlighten us on what it sounds like to you? Apparently "Cumby's" is a pretty common expression in the area that has the stores.

I would assume it's the sophomoric reference to male ejaculate?

Chappers · Feb 26, 2005, 11:33 AM

After receiving the second card the next day that told them that this company was promoting a product -I wonder how many of the gynecologists rushed out to buy said product.

Feb 25, 2005, 09:20 AM	#2
PlaceofDis macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Chicago.	wow, some companies' marketing departments are really stupid, but thats really no big surprise is it? __________________ dim my eyes on the waves of confessions... SpringWarmCold

Feb 25, 2005, 11:19 AM	#3
virividox macrumors 68040 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Manila - Nottingham - Philadelphia - Santa Barbara - Boston (ugh hate not knowing where to call home)	genius!!! __________________ 17" MBP , 2 gig ram, 200 gig fw800 + 120 gig fw400 + 250 gig usb2 ext, 5g 80gig Ipod, Tiger d200 & d70

Feb 25, 2005, 03:26 PM	#5
BubbaJones macrumors member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Gold Coast	Speaking of marketing genius... Has anyone heard the Cumberland Farms adds? "Come in to Cumby's". Link I tell ya, I'm not thinking of a convenience store when I hear that stupid add. __________________ 00110001001100000011000000110001001100000011000000110001 0010110101010010011101010111001101101000 --- 6G iPod Classic 80GB Comming Soon MacBook

Feb 25, 2005, 03:34 PM	#6
yellow Demi-God (Moderator) Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: I love you, food.	LOL! I haven't heard "Cumby" in a long-ass-time! Ah how I miss New England. __________________ Chameleon's Consignment Loft

Feb 26, 2005, 11:33 AM	#10
Chappers macrumors 68000 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: At home	After receiving the second card the next day that told them that this company was promoting a product -I wonder how many of the gynecologists rushed out to buy said product. __________________ Check out the fortnightly photo challenge at Culture don't make Light of it

Feb 25, 2005, 02:25 PM	#4
clayj macrumors 601 Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: 1123,6536,5321	I still don't think this is as funny as when Electrolux decided to convert their favorite marketing slogan from Swedish to English without first consulting with anyone who spoke idiomatic colloquial English to see if it would be OK. The result: "Nothing sucks like an Electrolux."

Feb 25, 2005, 06:30 PM	#8
dotdotdot macrumors 68020 Join Date: Jan 2005	lol... Thats a GREAT Valentines day gift! How many people had to sleep on the couch THAT night??

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode