Only a few spots left to join us for the Digiday Publishing Summit

Join us Sept. 14-16 in Miami to connect with top publishing leaders

SECURE YOUR SEAT

When Brands Get Punny

“Puns are the droppings of soaring wits,” Victor Hugo is supposed to have said. Executed well, they can win over a crowd. Done poorly, and, well, they’re just droppings.

Here are a few brands that have tried their hand at being punny – the good, the bad and the ugly.

Charmin
Screen Shot 2013-11-08 at 11.01.35 AM
The toilet paper brand is not shy about making butt and poop jokes (see its hashtag #tweetsfromtheseat). And we’ve got to hand it to Charmin for this Thor, prince of Asguard, pun. Although it’s underestimating its readers with the “#SeeWhatWeDidThere” hashtag.

Petco

Screen Shot 2013-11-08 at 3.16.39 PM

This played-out pun will always bring to mind the awesome “Super Troopers” meow scene. Since no one can outdo that apotheosis of cinematic greatness, no one should even try. All right, meow?

Domino’s Pizza UK

Screen Shot 2013-11-08 at 1.35.50 PM

Yup, we see what you did there. Bonus points for showing restraint and not actually using the #Movember hashtag, like say, Arby’s.

Applebee’s

Screen Shot 2013-11-08 at 2.23.42 PM

Oh brother. That’s your best pun? Let’s not play this game then, Applebee’s.

Barkbox

Screen Shot 2013-11-08 at 2.48.40 PM

OK, fine. It’s hard to get mad at a dog in an awesome costume.

Image via Shutterstock

More in Marketing

Ad Tech Briefing: Regulatory storm clouds gather and scatter over Big Tech, and indies count the cost

The FTC’s Amazon charges presage Google’s second antitrust let-off in a year, while The Trade Desk sheds hundreds.

Anthropologie is launching Nike as sneaker shoppers increase nearly 30%

The retailer is planning a full digital campaign to accompany the launch. The first of nine styles launched on Monday, with the rest rolling out by September 21.

Future of Marketing: Brands want creators who can win over humans and machines at once

Why creator briefs are starting to look like a map of AI search queries.