A German man was expecting to see a promotional website after scanning the QR code on a Heinz ketchup bottle. Instead, it brought him porn.
Interesting promotional strategy, right? Maybe Heinz is just playing the same, controversial game fast food restaurants like Hardee's have. The truth, though, is much more vanilla.
The problem in this case was Heinz's domain name. According to the Verge, the one belonging to that Heinz bottle promotion wasn't renewed after 2014. It has since been purchased by the German porn site FunDorado.
The man posted a picture on Heinz's Facebook page, writing, "Ketchup probably isn't for minors." Naturally, Heinz was very apologetic and is sending him a personalized bottle. But FunDorado wouldn't be left out, offering the man a free one-year subscription.
But regardless of whether you find the situation humorous, the man made the point that the bottle's design is likely in many households. He told the company, “It is incomprehensible that you cannot secure the domain for at least one or two years. A .com domain really does not cost the world.”
Several news outlets are arguing this is an example of why companies should keep domain names –– even ones for brief promotions –– for life.
This video includes images from Getty Images.
