Michael Surtees' photostream  

from nrk.no/kultur-og-underholdning/1.7969235

English Translation:

The poster is very minimalist, and shows nothing but a falling man and the date "25 March ".

Attentive fans will instantly recognize both the subject and the font from åpningsvignetten to the popular series, which in Norway has been shown on Viasat 4

Read also: "Mad Men" into the future

9/11-assosiasjoner?
Other passers-by will not see the connection immediately, and perhaps make associations to the image "The falling man", an iconic image that has become a symbol of all human fates after 11 September 2001, writes Wetpaint.com.

There were New Yorkers Michael Surtees who first posted a picture of the poster and started the discussion about whether the use of this image in promotional purposes was appropriate or not. Both on Flickr.com and the designer's website, the debate raged this week, and several U.S. online newspapers and bloggers have raised themselves.

Read also: Million Salary of "Don Draper"

- My impression is that it is mainly people who are in New York who see the relationship between "Mad Men" image and 11 September, while those coming from elsewhere in the country does not react as strongly, Surtees said in an e-mail to NRK.no.

He wonders why "Mad Men" will be associated with a campaign in this image is used at a time when most Americans, especially New Yorkers, the decade mark for September 11th 2001 fresh in memory.

Nettavisen Business Insider wonders on the other hand if the minimalist poster can be an advertisement for the "national suicide day", since a date is the only hint you get.

TV station defends the use
All speculation about the TV channel AMCS intentions with advertising poster, has been the channel to go out with a press release to explain the meaning behind:

- The ongoing advertising campaign of "Mad Men" shows the signature image of the falling man, known from the Emmy-winning åpningsvignetten the series, they write in an opinion rendered on hlntv.com.

AMC notes that the image of Don Draper in free fall has been used since 2007, and is intended to represent a man with a life of rebellion.

- It is intended as a metaphor, and in no way a reference to real events, says TV channel.

It is not known when or if the fifth season will be shown on Norwegian television.