It looks like a New York agency’s cultural sensibilities didn’t match those of Eagle, Idaho residents. In this video, a local news reports Eagle’s Mayor is threatening to cancel Eagle Fun Days this weekend, part of which is the local fire department’s Rocky Mountain Oyster Fest. With the festival based on bull’s testicle, the fire department thought it would be a good idea to promote the event bay asking a New York agency to help ouot. They did with some spots that might be considered humorous to some but Eagle mayor Nancy Merrill told the fire fighters to pull the spots or she’d cancel the event. The fire department complied, pulled them off the website and canceled their TV schedule. Radio ads did air but Merrill has called a meeting and is still threatening to cancel the event. While the agency told the television station they meant no harm, the station is apparently, keeping the agency’s name confidential. Come on guys. Step forward. Take credit. The campaign’s great. Just not for Idaho.
UPDATE: FCB did the campaign and CEO Steve Centrillo sets the record straight in the Comment section stating they are fully aware of Eagle culture since one of FCB’s creative directors comes from Eagle. He also states Mayor Nancy Merrill is overstepping her bounds, advancing her personal agenda and using her position as a bully pulpit.
UPDATE II: You can see all the work here.
