Mad Over Mad Men Ads? AMC Addresses 9-11 Controversy

Billboard image of a falling man "is a metaphor for what is happening in Don Draper's fictional life and in no way references actual events," the channel says in a statement

By Rebecca Macatee Mar 01, 2012 10:37 PMTags
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Mad Men's ad campaign has inadvertently stirred up some controversy.

Billboards promoting the show depict protagonist Don Draper falling from atop a tall building. For some, these images are reminiscent of the tragic events of 9-11 and are disrespectful to those who jumped to their deaths from the World Trade Center in 2001.

So what does AMC, the channel that airs the show, have to say about the contentious commercials?

"Mad Men's current advertising campaign features the iconic and signature image of a falling man from the series' Emmy Award-winning opening credits," they said in a statement. "The image of Don Draper tumbling through space has been used since the show began in 2007 to represent a man whose life is in turmoil."

As for any similarities to 9-11? "The image used in the campaign is intended to serve as a metaphor for what is happening in Don Draper's fictional life and in no way references actual events," said AMC.

Mad Men season five premieres March 25 at 9 p.m. on AMC.

—Additional reporting by Claudia Cagan

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