"Two New York ad men capture Boston’s attention; Ad men’s approach a challenge to local agencies" by Taryn Luna | Globe Correspondent September 17, 2014
Chances are you have never heard of Sal DeVito and Ellis Verdi, but you’ve probably been insulted or amused by their work.
The New York ad men have been the brains behind the controversial Legal Sea Foods advertisements — from the “fresh fish” that offended MBTA workers with snarky billboard comments, to a campaign that upset some Christians by adding the word “Legal” to the religious fish symbol.
Now their agency, DeVito/Verdi, is calling out pretentious colleges and pompous students in ads for Suffolk University. It took shots at Yankees fans in a recent spot for car dealer Herb Chambers.
The head-turning irreverence of the campaigns seems to appeal to Boston sensibilities. DeVito/Verdi now has more clients in Massachusetts than in New York....
This front-page fare is not appealing to me at all.
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