Persil Power
1994
When Unilever launched their new innovative detergent, they were warned by their main competitor, P&G, that their new formula was too powerful and could damage clothes. Unilever ignored these warnings and heavily marketed the detergent with the new special ingredient called “The Accelerator”. The new super detergent turned out to be too powerful, and it actually did destroy clothes. Unilever was forced to do an expensive recall and pay for angry customers’ damaged clothes.
Additional info:
Marketing Week - Unilever lies low on promise to relaunch its `accelerator’
Independent - But does it rot your shorts? Why are the manufacturers at war?