That is entirely possible. Make a shitty logo you never intend to actually use widely and use the backlash as basically free publicity.

It makes sense, and fits with modern society’s social media dynamics.

But I refuse to give the marketing fucks that sort of recognition. It’s more likely they just fucked up because they get paid either way and simple logos are the hot trend right now, and the corporate suits went with the marketing consultants blindly, as most of them usually do.