| | This ad ran in GQ this past month. What is your initial impression of this ad? What do you think of it?
Several asians in the community were upset and outraged, including Wayne H. Ho,
Executive Director of Coalition For Asian American Children and
Families, and wrote letters to SRP. A call from our Executive
Director got the flames going, and ARC pulled this one print of
thirteen out of the "Help America" ARC National Ad Campaign.
This single print ad was to promote CPR and diversity.
Unfortunately, it seemed to emphasize the differences in race, rather
than similarities. It was interpreted as the following:
"I don't talk like you. I don't look like you. I don't
speak the same language. I don't eat the food you do.
BUT... If you're lying in a ditch, dying, THEN I'll help you.
Otherwise, on a day to day basis, I don't want to have anything to do
with you." When you look at the pic, the guy is not smiling, very
unfriendly; the pic is dark, shadows, austere; someone even mentioned
the bars on the windows.
When I first saw it, I wasn't offended or upset. I just felt uncomfortable. I felt that something was amiss.
In response to the community outcry, the American Red Cross swiftly
removed the offending ad and immediately started working on a
replacement. The American Red Cross, who hired marketing
company Hill Holiday to do the "Help America" ARC National Ad Campaign,
began seeking out another asian male to model for the ad campaign in
replacement of the one above. Hill Holiday mentioned that
they'd consider current Red Cross asian employees! So, on
the day they came by, Deng, Ian, and I were in our Sunday best.
Erika Williams from Hill Holiday came, took less than a minute for a
snapshot of each, and was out. I thought to myself, hmm..
doubtful they'll pick any of us. They're probably doing it just
to say that they considered all of us but didn't find the right image
(to make amends and build goodwill). Plus, I'm sure of the whole
field of candidates, there were many other better suited asians at the
other chapters and at HQ.
However, lo and behold, I get an email
a few days later from Andrea Bigner, national Corporate Advertising
Officer, saying that I was selected and if I'd do it!!! Talk
about pleasant surprises! Thus was born my 15 minutes of
fame. I hope it turns out well. So if you see a guy that
looks like me in GQ or Details or Esquire, you can say, "HEYY.. I KNOW
THAT GUY!"
The photographer, Brad, was a fun guy to work
with. During my photo shoot, Andrea Bigner, ARC Corporate
Advertising Officer, took a cellphone call and learned that Marc
Anthony will be on the ad campaign as well, pro bono!! How
awesome is that? Time to buy some of his cds and support
him. Maybe his wife, J. Lo, will jump in on the campaign
too. I'm in VERY good company 
They
were all great, made me feel very comfy. Jeroen was Dutch too,
and Lauren's husband was as well. During the photo shoot, Brad
shouted, "Don't look at the camera, look at... Jeroen.. talk to
Jeroen!" So I caught everybody off guard and said in Dutch,
"Jeroen, je bent een beetje getikt, hoor." Which means.. "Jeroen,
you're a little bit crazy, eh." Everybody went, "OOOoooOOOOooo..
Alex is talkin' smack." Hahaha.. little did i know that Jeroen was the
BIG MAN ON CAMPUS, Mr. VP Art Director himself. Haha.. oops!  He had a good laugh though
Lauren
and I coincidentally have the same exact flights to Amsterdam this
weekend, both leaving and arrival!! How crazy is that?? 
Brad Harris, photographer extraordinaire, was hilarious.. "Be happy,
YES, HAPPY!! YES YES GOOD! NO, NOT THAT HAPPY! CONFIDENT..
CONNNFIDENNNNT.. Look out that window like your life is GOING
somewhere!! YES.. Don't slouch. No! Now you're too
stiff. Be yourself, be natural, don't try to pose, but
pose. Pose but don't pose." HAHAHAHAHA! Reminded me
of Austin Powers and his photo shoot with Ivana Humpalot.. hilarious
My ad will supposedly be in GQ, Details,
among other publications and newspapers as this is a nationwide
campaign. My dad says when I get discovered and go to Hollywood,
he wants to meet Jackie Chan and Jet Li. He says, "I know I have
a good looking son. Look where his genes came from." haha.
Ahh.. dad.
ARC Corporate Advertising Officer Andrea Bigner
Hill Holiday staff - Sarah Marden, Lauren Herman, Erika Williams
Photography crew - Brad Harris (Williamsburg), Dominick, Aladdin
Jeroen Bours (Dutchman, Hill Holiday NY Creative Director)
Candid shot outside Greater New York Red Cross Chapter (Lauren Herman, Roshida, Sarah Marden)
Paul's photo shoot (Lauren, Aladdin, Photographer Brad Harris, Paul)
Adjusting Paul's pics (Aladdin, Brad, Dominick)
Checking Paul's pics (Aladdin, Lauren, Brad, Paul)
In good company (the "other" model, Paul) (add Marc Anthony to that roster too)
Creative discussions (Sarah and Brad)
End of photo shoot, after desk shots (Andrea Bigner, Lauren, Brad, Dominick, Aladdin)
My resume is going to be so jacked.. mutual fund administrator..
consultant.. computer programmer.. systems administrator.. model..
There is one comment that photographer Brad Harris kept repeating
that rings over and over in my head, even days after the shoot.
He kept saying, "Look happy, confident, as if your life is going
somewhere." Brad probably says that to all his models, but how
fitting, especially to me. As I flummox in this self-confusion of
my direction-less life.. finance? IT? Stay in nonprofit? I
constantly reflect and ponder which path I should take. What if I
choose wrongly? What if I do not like it, or I choose something
that I do not do well? What if... But I digress...
Life is good. Take what comes. The world is my oyster, yes?
Mad bonus points go out to the American Red Cross for rectifying this so quickly!! And Hill Holiday staff were fantastic!
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