I'm curious...am I the only one offended

[Career Prole]

by the Lincoln Financial ads? The ones that show Abraham Lincoln caddying at a golf course and poling a gondola in Venice for "affluent consumers"?

The ad campaign's creators said:

<snip>
"The goal was to ensure consumers remember the Lincoln Financial Group brand name," says Tom Kelly, Executive Vice President and Creative Director of Martin-Williams Advertising. "Our aim was to leverage an asset entirely unique and ownable only by Lincoln Financial Group - Abraham Lincoln."

<snip>

Every facet of Martin-Williams' depiction of Abraham Lincoln was created with respect to his legacy. The agency consulted with The Lincoln Museum in Fort Wayne, Ind., and also used photos from the early 1860s to cast the role appropriately. Lincoln's son, Robert Todd Lincoln, had granted authorization for Lincoln Financial Group to use his father's name and likeness back in 1905 - and even provided a photo he liked for the company's logo.
"We understand that Abraham Lincoln is a treasured national icon," says Kelly. "Everything we did with this new advertising campaign was done with great respect to him and his legacy."


"Our aim was to leverage an asset entirely unique and ownable only by Lincoln Financial Group - Abraham Lincoln.":wtf:

:o I'll be damned...I could have sworn Lincoln did something a long time ago about people "owning" people!

Lincoln's son, Robert Todd Lincoln, had granted authorization for Lincoln Financial Group to use his father's name and likeness back in 1905 - and even provided a photo he liked for the company's logo.

I'll bet my life's earnings they didn't tell Robert Todd Lincoln they were going to make daddy a caddy for some fatcat in a TV commercial.
Maybe next they'll use Jesus as a waterskiing instructor.

[skooooo]

1. I find them offensive too...

Abe grew up poor, and this seems like a real slap in the face to everything he stood for -- having him act like some kind of caddy. I hate it.

[moez]

2. I think we've seen the last of poor presidents

A looooong time ago. Multi-multi millionaires from here on out....

[skooooo]

3. Clinton at least started out poor...

..and so did Carter. So, I would count them to some extent at least.