The full ad read:
Can On-Airport Parking Kill?
Last week a 55 year old man was found dead at a Chicago O’Hare parking lot. He was found lying on the ground unresponsive at around 7:15 am. The Chicago police did not find any signs of a homicide and an autopsy is to follow.
There could be many reasons for the cause of this man’s death, but based on the story one possible reason could be stress. The process of arriving to the airport, getting through security, and boarding the plane can be very stressful.
Many airlines and travel industries have implemented technology to make traveling easier such as through buying airfare online, booking hotels and renting cars, and even reserving off-airport parking through an app.
Don’t be late and end up in a crate. Save stress and possibly anything worse by utilizing technology and reserving all your travel needs in advance.
The company uses the death to warn “Don’t be late and end up in a crate.” Catchy? Slightly. Tasteless? Absolutely.
The company even offers a discount $5 coupon – a nice benefit to possibly give the widow’s family traveling to the services.
I was skeptical but this appears a real company. I found a Consumerist article that said that the company felt bad about the mocking and clearly opportunist use of a man’s death. In an apology, the company said it was “an extremely poor choice and a mistake that leaves us all in remorse.” In the understatement of the year, the company added “There is no good explanation to how and why we made the decision to create such a tasteless marketing email.”
Below is the advertisement:
