Draft "On Top" Ad Stirs Controversy. But I Like It

David Kiley

There is a hulabaloo about an ad that Draft/FCB created to salute award winners at the 2006 Cannes International Ad Festival.
Adweek's Adfreak bolg and The Chicago Tribune have weighed in on how seemingly tacky it is. The grand prizes at the award show are called "Lions" for those who do not know.

This from the Trib: "The ad with the lions copulating, posted last week on a blog called Adfreak.com (an offshoot of trade publication Adweek) beneath the headline "Draft FCB, always with the classiest ads," immediately stirred up a stinging barrage of criticism from a growing list of mostly anonymous observers who submitted postings.

One comment derided Draft FCB for being staffed by "rejects from other places." Another described the people responsible for the trade ad as "hacks" and "whores" who wound up working for Draft and Foote Cone & Belding because "neither agency puts a premium on creativity." Yet another post at the site claims the ad was the handiwork of none other than Jonathan Harries, Draft FCB global chief creative officer."

Ouch. And Draft/FCB is issuing apologies for it. The thing is...I actually like this ad. Go figure.