16. Not that great

No matter how hard some try to avoid doing so, everyone eventually makes mistakes. And it goes without saying that even big names and those working for them are going to flub something, rare though it may be. So in an effort to learn from others failings I thought it may be a good idea to scour through the dusty remains of history to bring out some of the worst brand and marketing choices that have been made in recent history.

• Calvin and Klein. There are times that it almost seems that the main focal point of advertising for Calvin and Klein is the shock value of their ads. The two best, and notorious, examples are those that try to sell sex in a manner that just ends up pushing boundaries a little too far. The first ad was from 1995 and was shot in a style that was a bit too reminiscient of underage pornography. While the second, a print ad, showcased what appeared to be semi-clothed teens. Another "great" one from C&K is a ad appearing to depict a rape.

• While the ad for Carl's Jr. starring Paris Hilton may not be on every list of horrible ads, I included for the sheer number of times I've heard people say something about it when talking about commercials they hate. I believe that the reason most people dislike the ad is because Paris Hilton had already been grinding on their nerves, and the commercial doesn't even mention what it's for until the very last seconds of the spot.

• The idea of being able to turn anything you touch into Skittles at first sounds amazing, but it has its drawbacks. The Skittles Midas touch commercial explores this and, frankly, leaves me not wanting a candy I normally love. It's depressing and completely the opposite of the message that Skittles normally sends out.

These are only three examples, but from what I've seen of the worst ads, they depict the three biggest problems that make advertisements bad. 

1. Stepping out of bounds by using a concept that is inappropriate or shocking.
2. Not conveying a message that actually relates to the brand or product.
3. Using images that are the opposite of the qualities your brands possesses.