We’ve all fallen prey to misleading corporate video ads. Late-night infomercials, false daytime commercials – you name it.
It’s interesting to note how so many companies are actually willing take a legal risk in order to promote their products. Here we’ve compiled a list of some of our favourite misleading corporate video advertisements:
McDonald’s
Ironically, McDonald’s was a sponsor for Lebron James. But this didn’t stop him from calling the company out on its unhealthiness. By far, Mickey D’s is probably right up there with Coca-Cola when it comes to promoting a misleading sense of nutritional value. The chain has been long-rumoured to use everything from genetically modified animal meat in 2000 to earthworms in 1978. And since McDonald’s recently announced that they’ve officially stopped using human antibiotics in their chicken, they haven’t really put our minds at ease. We can’t help but wonder what else was actually in their other food this entire time.
Nutella
You’ve probably seen Nutella’s commercials as a kid. Through unsubstantiated claims, Nutella marketed itself as a taste way to get kids to eat nutritional food. The chocolate food-spread used an interesting choice of words to works its way into the pockets of unassuming parents: “[A] balanced breakfast based on fat-reduced milk, banana and hi-fibre white bread with 10g Nutella (per slice).”
Then in 2012, the company was sued by a Californian mother who was shocked to find out that there was no nutritional value in the spread. In the end, Nutella lost.
VitaminWater
While this video might be a little hard to understand, the general impression was that VitaminWater was good for you. That is, until this was debunked under claims filed by Washington (D.C.)-based consumer advocacy group the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). CSPI claimed that VitaminWater and parent company Coca-Cola took part in “deceptive labeling and marketing for the soft drink, which included claims that the drink could reduce rise for eye disease, promote healthy joints and support ‘optimal immune function.'”
Q-Ray bracelets
What is there to say? It’s surprising that something like this even made it to television. Here, Q-Ray exceeds being just “misleading”, veering more towards wilful deception.
Subway
Disappointingly, Subway also made it on the list of our top misleading corporate video ads. Though you can’t really argue about the substance of these subs, you can protest its size. Subway came under fire when their $5 footlong campaign proved to be a lot less than a foot. By offering sub-par sandwiches that were clearly not 12 inches long, the company then began measuring their sandwiches to ensure customer satisfaction.
Some of these companies had it easy. Online parodies and social media sharing make it harder to make a comeback from such heavy financial losses. Consider Chevron who paid a price when they refused to own up to their malpractices.
Here at Key West Video, we make exceptional, truthful and quality video content. Contact us for a quote today.
