Saturday, June 18, 2016

Lost In Translation...!

Did you ever wonder how the advertising folks do their selling in foreign countries? It ain't always smooth!

Seems as though some of our phrases sound fine in English, but translate very poorly in some foreign languages. Bad enough to really ruin a good marketing campaign, in fact. Here is a case in point...

Schweppes’s Bathroom Blunder



In modern society, we have come to expect certain things from our drinking water. Most people want their water clean, clear, and in no way associated with human waste. It’s that last part that caused a bit of a problem for Schweppes.

When tonic water manufacturer Schweppes decided to reach out to Italian customers with a shiny new ad campaign, they clearly forgot to consult their pocket dictionaries. As it turns out, it’s pretty easy to mistake the Italian words for “tonic” and “toilet.” So, when Schweppes unveiled their product to Italy’s thirsty masses, they inadvertently offered them all a tall glass of toilet water. Despite getting the thumbs up from millions of the country’s canines, the human residents politely declined. Having thoroughly humiliated themselves, the company cut their losses and moved on to new, more well researched—and significantly less nauseating—campaigns.

I dcan see where a mistake like that could mess up a good ad alright. Guess that some of our brand names just don't translate very well in some languages.

Coffee out on the patio this morning, where it's hot and humid.

7 comments:

BWBandy said...

Not everything is well thought out.

JO said...

You would think that they would have checked with local ad agency's on this first, I bet they will from now on.

Right now I have windows open and fans going to clear out the old air before it gets hot here again. Pass the pot please

HermitJim said...

Hey BWBandy...
Boy, ain't that the truth ?
Thanks for stopping by today!


Hey Jo...
I agree that it makes sense to double check first. Too bad they didn't.
Thanks for dropping by, sweetie!

Dizzy-Dick said...

I guess the ad agency wasn't good enough to well the people on drinking toilet water (grin). I think I would pass on that, too.

Gorges Smythe said...

That reminds me of the campaign that Dr. Pepper waged in England back when they had that silly jingle about everyone being a "pepper." It wasn't until after they realized that their efforts weren't working that they learned that "pepper" was a street term for a prostitute in that country!

HermitJim said...

Hey Dizzy...
You and me both would pass!
Thanks for the visit today!


Hey Gorges...
I can see why they would be put off on Dr. Pepper after that!
Thanks for coming by today!

Hermit's Baby Sis said...

Reminds me of the isotonic sports drink named "Pocari Sweat" that the Japanese could not understand why the Americans did not want. Drink Sweat - not I!