Apparently there is some group that goes around spreading the message that babies shouldn’t be circumcised. I’m constantly amazed how every cause, no matter how irrelevant and seemingly secondary to so many other causes, can attract followers who are willing to spend their time, money, and efforts to promote it.

Not the greatest job of vandalism anyway. With a little work they could have matched the background color, font color, and font, and have put something up that looked like it was actually part of the real sign.

I’m sure the Coalition of Fathers and Families for New York is a fine organization. I’m also pretty sure they’re a non-profit, judging from their billboard which has numerous issues that wouldn’t exist had they spared some change to consult with a professional designer.

1. Too much. There is simply too much for someone to read as they’re driving along. A motorist would be lucky to read the first line up in the red before passing the billboard, let alone the next four lines of text. Then again, if it’s placed in an area where there is very slow or stopped traffic every day then it could work.

2. Website vs. phone number. ACFC.org is a great url. It’s only four letters. It’s a lot easier to remember than 800-978-3237. So why is the website URL so small–too small to be read, in truth–while it’s the phone number that is larger? Plus, who calls numbers anymore? I’m at least 2,419 times more likely to visit a website I see on a billboard as opposed to calling a phone number.

3. Small text. Children need both parents, AGREE? Sure, that sounds great, but the only reason I can read it is because I’m looking at a photo taken at close range. Even if that line were the only line on the billboard I’d have trouble reading it until I was so close that I didn’t have time to read it before passing.

My advice, say more by saying less, and drive people to the website, not a phone number. Following those two simple pieces of advice would probably make this billboard 50 times more effective. Anyone want to take a stab at redesigning it?

So I’m driving south on I-15 in Provo, Utah when suddenly I look up and see the image on the right. “What the…?!” I think. As you know, when you’re driving you only have a second to process images and since you’re moving those images are often blurred. Imprinted on my mind was the image of…well, pretty much what you see, only it didn’t make sense. As I stared, I realized the offending portion of the billboard was due to something from the billboard on the opposite side, which is shown on the left.

Yes, sometimes it pays to know what’s going to be on the other side of the billboard you’re buying. Thanks to Cameron Moll who got the photos.

Note: Within a few days they switched the Brent Brown sign so that the guy was “bending” to the other side of the sign.