Digiday has created Tumblr called “WTF Digital Marketing” to compile examples of tone-deaf digital marketing and missed opportunities. Here are our last couple of finds from fan submissions and also from around the Web.
Placement of a display ad is so important. This placement is totally inappropriate and it is likely that many consumers would be outraged by it all together. It is highly insensitive.
The image above is also, really, really bad placement of an ad. This and the first example are an issue we have in the industry. A brand can buy an ad placement, but cannot control what content appears alongside the ad. In this instance the ad placement is unfortunate.
Mobile Marketer’s Rimma Kats discovered a Chipotle ad that wasn’t optimized for mobile. The user experience sucks as a result and Chipotle is likely missing out on greater engagement.
More in Marketing
Kroger’s AI shopping assistant has ads at launch
Kroger has made advertising part of its AI shopping assistant, following the implementation of advertising features on competitors’ chatbots.
OpenAI brings product carousels to ChatGPT ads
It builds on OpenAI’s product feed campaigns, bringing a Google Shopping-style carousel format to ChatGPT ahead of the Q4 holiday period.
Digiday+ Research: The 2026 guide to holiday marketing strategies, including A-Frame Brands, Mastercard and Ritual
Shoppers continue to grapple with higher prices and affordability, while brands face rising operating costs and increased pressure to prove their marketing dollars are delivering measurable returns.