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A Few Successful Things Focus Groups Hated

First National City Bank (now Citibank) tested an early version of the ATM in the 1960s. According to a write-up of the experiment, “It seems the only people using the machines were a small number of prostitutes and gamblers who didn’t want to deal with tellers face to face.”
 
Two of television’s most popular shows weren’t exactly met with enthusiasm. Focus groups suggested that Friends “broaden the show to include some older characters” and “use Chandler’s dreams as a running bit on the show.” (The sitcom only scored a 41 out of a possible 100.) And in Blink, Malcolm Gladwell talked about the rocky early history of All in the Family - the recommendation was to rewrite Archie Bunker as “a soft-spoken and nurturing father.”
 
And according to a 1998 Financial Times article, Baileys Irish Cream was also despised by focus groups. “They hated the stuff and didn’t believe it was Irish or even real.” Those test results were suppressed and before long, Baileys was being exported all over the world.
 
Of course, focus groups aren’t always Debbie Downers. They loved New Coke!

[by Jason English]