[DiamondSmiles]

http://money.msn.com/investing/13-fl...oduct-blunders

Corporate caution and marketing wizardry aren't enough to keep some truly ill-conceived ideas out of production. Here are some of the most wince-worthy.

What Were They Thinking?

For all the time, money and care companies invest in creating new products, you'd think they'd root out the obviously flawed and downright offensive ideas.

You'd be wrong.

Adidas (ADDDF), for example, recently released a shoe with prison-orange shackles attached at the ankles -- then pulled it from the market after protests over the obvious suggestions of slavery.

Even a quick review of similar instances -- say, the "Lolita" bed for young girls, or thong underwear for children emblazoned with provocative phrases such as "eye candy" -- makes you wonder, 'What the heck were they thinking?'

You might suspect that some mishaps are intentional, orchestrated to create publicity. Yet experts say the costs are too high. "I don't think companies intentionally try to offend," says Martha Guidry, a brand and product development expert who has worked with Procter & Gamble (PG) and is now with The Rite Concept, a marketing firm.

It's more likely that companies are trying to be edgy to stand out -- and inadvertently cross the ever-changing line on what's acceptable. "Our definition of offensiveness is a sliding scale," says Adam Hanft, a brand strategist who developed the "flick your Bic" ad campaign in the 1970s and is now with Hanft Projects.

Another potential problem is that what's fine for a target audience can offend the masses. "It is very hard today to have private conversations with segments of consumers, because everyone is looking," says marketing professor Olivier Toubia, who teaches new product development and marketing at Columbia University Business School.

And sometimes, the answer is much simpler. People, being people, regularly do dumb things. "You would be amazed at how little thought goes into product development and distribution," says Rob Frankel, a brand management expert with Frankel & Anderson.

Take a look at this slide show, published July 10, to see some of the most offensive products of all time.

It's not here, but, it wasn't a flop. The best part of the Schweddy Balls ice cream was the balls, unless you like vanilla ice cream.

[knuggy]

need some aids candy for rapid weight loss

[kellyhound]

ghettopoly

[DiamondSmiles]

Originally Posted by knuggy ↗

need some aids candy for rapid weight loss

Do you remember them, lol? I was working my first full time job many years ago when they were made.

We had a girl who used to eat the entire box at once and fall asleep at her desk. She gained weight.

[DiamondSmiles]

Originally Posted by kellyhound ↗

ghettopoly

Was that a real game, lol? Never heard of it.

[mwt77932]

Originally Posted by kellyhound ↗

ghettopoly

I have that game. It's a great party game! Histerically funny!