Aw, thanks Andi. I'd have wanted you to!

Thanks, Burrell, I'll just send it as is.

bonny,

I thought it was a good letter. I must admit I can't comprehend how these advertisements are supposed to work. What if an adult is tying his shoes and bends down? Won't he see the ad? Would these ads be more effective than others?

Both good questions, le n. I just don't know.

bonny, I think you should send the letter. That was the first thing I thought of, when I saw that ad. What if the adult sees the "hidden" part? What if the child thinks the adult can see it? It isn't "hidden" enough, nor reassuring enough, though I'm not sure anything could be reassuring enough.

I honestly believe the campaign is something better than nothing, but I just think it needs tweaking.

It might make more sense to advertise the hotline numbers in school bathrooms, rather than on the street.

I don't think the campaign is operating in 100% adult secret, otherwise they'd be broadcasting it in the kid aural spectrum or whatever. But the idea, to the kid, that there is a world without their abuser, and a path to that world, is probably a very important message. Clearly there are lots of ads where adults can see them--the key is calling one and getting to help without raising suspicion, but it would be impossible to foster an image of a world without recourse for kids--abusive parents can see the same news reports we can, after all.

So I do think every notably different way they convey the message can be useful, and the idea (not illusion, just the very concept) of being able to escape to somewhere where all the adults care is a big takeaway here.

I totally agree.

It turns out that Mr. Lynn is the President and CEO of the company.

I received this message from him this morning:

Many thanks for your email. I will talk personally to our Creative Director to ensure that we take into account your comments and suggestions which are clearly so important.

I very much appreciate you contacting us.

I am at peace with it.

It might be a auto-response, but it is a refreshingly warm auto-response!

Just saw the latest discussion, so I know this is coming in late, but I have to add --

bonny, I thought it was an excellent email. In particular, you acknowledged that the ad agency was engaged in an honest, good faith effort to help. That way, you were able to come across as trying to improve their work based on your worldview (which, it should go without saying, isn't necessarily the same as the persons that created the ad).

Thanks, Pete. I can sincerely say that was my intent.

Many people who endeavor who help abused children know where of they speak, but an ad agency is unlikely to share that experience...nor should they necessarily be able to walk in all their clients' shoes.

I imagine that the agency heard from a number of people...or at least I hope they did. I'll probably never see the results, I'll just hope for the best.

bonny - I think that was a good email to send the agency. They need to fully understand the ramifications of the poster before it is sent out. I think that your POV should be particularly valuable to them and I hope that other survivors also contact them with their impressions.