‘Mad Men’s’ Falling Man Ads Stirs Up 9/11 Comparison

Melissa Knowles

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A new advertising campaign for the upcoming season of the critically acclaimed drama series "Mad Men" is stirring unexpected controversy. People are drawing comparisons between the billboards and the September 11 tragedy. Some of the promotional ads feature the main character, Don Draper, falling from great height toward the ground over a white background.

When the ads were originally posted in subways and on pay phones in New York, there was an uproar among some people. But now that the billboards of the falling man have appeared on the side of tall buildings, people are saying the advertisements have gone too far. Families of 9/11 victims are particularly upset, calling the promotions "insensitive" and "cruel." Local New Yorkers are saying it is reminiscent of people jumping out of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, and that the image hits too close to home.

However, "Mad Men" creators insist the comparison is nothing more than a coincidence, saying that "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."

People on social media are split on the issue. Some people are shocked that the advertisers would invoke any images from 9/11 to promote a Hollywood TV show, calling the ads "bad execution." One person tweeted that the tragedy is "not the 1st thought that comes to mind." Another called the campaigns "brilliant," but said the ads were "insensitive 2 9/11 victims & families."

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