It would have been more appropriate perhaps had it been Ogilvy, but the New York Post reports that JWT global business director Merrie Harris, who was out of cash, lent her American Express Platinum card instead to a homeless man who was just thirsty for some Vitaminwater. Talk about double product promotion.
Anyhow, the Post claims that Harris might have been slightly tipsy due to a margarita she had, which might explain her actions, but the JWT exec tells the trade, “I don’t think that was it. I’m eternally optimistic. Everybody [who witnessed her charitable act] said they thought that was the dumbest thing, that there’s a fine line between charity and stupidity.”
The overly trusting Harris, who went inside the restaurant she was at, also let the homeless man buy a pack of cigs. Luckily enough, the guy returned the card. She added, “This guy just seemed totally trustworthy. He was very specific about what he wanted. I gave him a hug. I said, ‘I knew you were coming back.'”
Would you do the same in this situation?
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