Ok perhaps I’m a protective parent, with 5 kids, however, you’d be hard pressed to make that label stick on me. That’s why I don’t think I’m overreacting when I say “What were they thinking?” when this print ad was produced for the Citi American Airlines Advantage card. What gives me this reaction is the combination of the picture they used, and the potential thousands of similar images they could have used. Take a look below. It appeared in the February 1, 2009 issue of the American Airlines in-flight magazine American Way.

Isn’t that kid on what looks to be a ledge? My reaction was dumb parent, dumber ad. As you can see I wrote that on the ad. OK OK let’s just say it’s all photoshop right? Why use it when there must be others with the same captivating beauty of nature? Perhaps it is the shock value they were going for, and I’m the dumb one that is too protective.

As a little million to one shot, I was sitting in 26F on flight 557, an MD-80 from MSP to ORD when I wrote my missive in the magazine. It’s my physical way of sharing social media. If you find it, let me know.

Meanwhile what do you think -dumb ad or overly protective dad that’s afraid of heights?