GoDaddy’s controversial Super Bowl marketing turns heads
The Web hosting service made waves again with its Super Bowl ad teaser. Does the tactic still work with consumers, or are people growing tired of it?
The ad, a parody of Budweiser’s “Lost Dog” Super Bowl ad, ends with a breeder selling and shipping her prodigal puppy, thanks to her new website hosted by GoDaddy.
The backlash was quick and far-reaching. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals said GoDaddy supported inhumane breeding practices with its ad, PETA and other animal rights groups piled on, and more than 42,000 people signed a petition to get GoDaddy to remove the ad.
Twitter users also (unsurprisingly) reacted with anger to GoDaddy’s parody:
#Shame on @GoDaddy!! What ignorant ad exec thought it funny to promote irresponsible dog breeders & unsafe animal transport? #GoDaddyPuppy
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