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April 07, 2008

PTs are fat, have tatoos, and don't use sun screen

I am not inherently opposed to traveling PT positions, but this ad from Delta Flex Travelers in the March 17 issue of Today in PT has to go down as one of the worst ever.

The implication is that the photo of the fat guy with the tatoo and a bad sun burn standing in the water is a PT (tough to visualize on this B&W scan but trust me on the fat, tatoo, and sunburn), not exactly the image I would be trying to convey if this were my recruiting company. Is this really the perception of a PT? I guess we can only hope they had a PTA in mind with the image (just kidding)!

John

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Comments

Carina Lowry

John,

I am not thinking that they are saying the guy in the pic is a PT...but rather that this may be the view you get if you decide to go to the beach instead of to the office. Either way, the ad is not clear and direct as to what is the point--another reason why PT needs a brand.

Carina

ArthurVeillleux

I agree with Carina. You can skip work and go to the beach where you may wind up staring at this guys back side all afternoon or go on in to work and have a rewarding, fulfilling day. I think these type of ads are a bit more clever than the usual appeals. At least they got you thinking about them.

Amy Garrigues

Things could be worse -- at least he isn't playing the Wii!

--Amy

therapist

what's this rude comment about pta's? how arrogant.

Jason Silvernail

...Hence the "(just kidding)" after it...

Marc Bowles, CMO, The Delta Companies

John-
I can understand your concern toward the brand or imagine of PTs and PTAs. Thank you for voicing your concern.Sorry for any confusion, it was not the intent. We will make in future adjustments to be more clear in our ads. Sincerely, thank you.

The ad's purpose was to poke fun at how all travel company ads always show wonderful vacation like ads for assignments. Knowing that assignments are not always 'stomping grapes in Napa valley.' PTs and PTAs are seriously needed for patient care. Travelers aren't vacationing on many assignments and often vacations aren't what they're cracked up to be...so,"Sometimes it's better to go to work." The ad is meant to be a reflection agnecy ad of assignements beign vacations, not at PTs or PTAs.

PTs and PTAs are vital to the medical world and our life. We all need vacations, they may not always happen on assignments--however needed treatment or 'work' does.

We will be rolling out a new campaign that is different. To be released in first half of 2009. If any provider would wish to learn more and provide some insight, please contact me directly.

Beer and Burgers

no soda for you chubby

Marilyn

Well that's how the travel companies pitch to everyone in the health profession, I know I worked for one of the biggest in the past. It seems to me that they are just out of touch with why travel assignments are taken. I've had PT's contact me for work in a specific state because the first grandchild is on the way,or a hospital or clinic has a new therapy and they would like to learn more and also just to expand their therapy knowledge by working in a different setting. Bottom line show the profession the respect it deserves and most of us in healthcare are in it to help our patients and we did not choose this just for the financial rewards.

Fastest Way to Lose Weight

Is adding "just kidding" at the end supposed to make the comment somehow better? I agree with therapist, its still rude and arrogant.

Cindia Chambers

kamagra

The sun is very important for our planet but we have to be careful the the burns that the sun can produce.

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