Yesterday, a student ad rep quit the new sales team because the manager asked her to go back to a paying client with a new ad design – even though the client didn't ask for one.
The client is FAU's Student Health Services. The original ad is above to the left. The new one is to the right. (Click to enlarge.)
For some reason, the manager deleted the photo of a guy in a wheelchair. He gave no explanation to the rep, other than to say the new ad "looks better."
When the rep called me asking what to do, I had no earthly idea. I've never met an ad manager who worried more about design than dollars, and who lacked the foresight to predict the blowback when a photo of a disabled student is removed without permission.
The new ad runs in tomorrow's issue. As of this writing, Student Health Services hasn't been told yet.
TOMORROW: Fireworks at the Friday staff meeting?
