Marketing - Getting a whole bunch of people to like and buy your product because you and your team of professionals make it sound so cool/awesome/great/desirable. 

Epic Fail - A screw up so unbelievable that is needs it own, brand new adjective to describe just how bad it really is. 

Epic Marketing Fail - Old Yeller Dog Food.

Yes. Yes, they named a dog food after Old Yeller. You know, the dog that had all of us, boy or girl, bawling our eyes out somewhere around sixth grade because it DIED! Not only did it die, but after defending the family against a wolf, the dad has to shoot it because it contracted rabies. *sob*

So, who at Kroger thought it would be a good idea to name a dog food after this classic bit of American literature? Who thought that the American public would just run out to buy a dog food named after a dog that died such a tragic death? Seriously?! 

Wait, wait. It gets worse. In December 2010, Old Yeller Dog Food was RECALLED because they discovered it contained aflatoxin, which is a toxin produced by some molds. Oh, and it can cause liver damage, liver cancer and death in dogs. So, I guess the name was more appropriate than they first realized. I know, I know - bad joke!

Epic fail and then some. I do not know whether to laugh or cry. It is on sale this week for $17.49, in case anyone wanted to know.