Either by aiming for the most catchy headline or giving away spaces to second-hand embarrassing matrimonial ads, newspapers have often printed the unthinkable.
But nothing really tops this gigantic newspaper ad proudly marketing the ‘MEGA gathering of India’s leading Boarding Schools in Delhi’.
Now, one may wonder what’s wrong with the ad and let us tell you that there’s nothing erroneous here except the large ass palace on which the words are bravely resting. The mansion therein is actually the German Bellevue Palace, the official residence of the president of Germany.
What’s furthermore embarrassing is that this particular ad got fact-checked by the German Ambassador to India and Bhutan, Dr Philipp Ackermann.
Dear Indian parents – I found this in today’s newspaper. But this building is no boarding school! It is the seat of the German President in Berlin. Our Rashtrapati Bhavan as it were. There are good boarding schools also in Germany – but here, no child will be admitted 😎. pic.twitter.com/ftbEeJk724
— Dr Philipp Ackermann (@AmbAckermann) September 30, 2023
Besides being misleading, this ad is also very alarming in the sense that it paints a false picture of boarding schools in the minds of Indian parents. People on X are reacting to this fearless attempt on the part of the newspaper and the ad creators.
Indians have truly mastered the art of imitation, and it's not just restricted to Bollywood films… this time India tried its hand to make Berlin's President House, Schloss Bellevue, an Indian boarding school.
— Sarcastic محترمہ (@Lailatweets_) September 30, 2023
Hilarious! https://t.co/w6aWWXXOId
lol German Ambassador on fact checking duty 😹 https://t.co/HGVp77mhJm
— Maria (@mariaa_awd) September 30, 2023
What an embarrassment! German ambassador to India has to fact check Indian newspapers for ads. https://t.co/eUEsmoRTYq
— Zaid Khan ⚽ (@Zaidk_15) September 30, 2023
What are the standards for accepting advertisements in our newspapers?! https://t.co/okS0blGvQP
— A Rao (@raoabhijeet) September 30, 2023
Playing with uninformed, loaded parents aspiration to give there kids the best possible education. https://t.co/uUILOP8zZe
— Hira 💎 (@draj1180) September 30, 2023
Ouch. Someone at the agency pushed creative liberty a bit harder. https://t.co/NtnUd8w04F
— Aseem / असीम ✍🏽 (@AseemShri) September 30, 2023
WTF…Do newspapers verify before advertising anything???
— Gopal Singh (@gopal_singh935) September 30, 2023
Public shouldn't go for Newspaper advertisements instead should verify themselves… https://t.co/UaKU3SFXc6
The extent of false advertising. https://t.co/1AUmLqgfpz
— Dant vires Gloriam! (@3vires) September 30, 2023
Gajab!…
— shobhit (@jpshobhit) September 30, 2023
Creative Liberty at its high https://t.co/4JzwaxZAMw
Karan Johar tried to convince us that the Raichand Palace was located in Chandni Chowk; this daring ad is no less. But that was fiction, this is for real!
Also Read: 14 Perfectly-Timed Newspaper Ads That Are Sure To Catch Your Attention