Tim Murtaugh

Man, I suck at blogging.

Anyway, this is, at least, interesting, I think.

This is a bus stop ad for the bank Washington Mutual, which, has, of late, been on a marketing blitz to grab consumer-level customers.

This ad is very interesting to me for two reasons:

1. Notice the names of the account holders on this particular check — Kim Yeats & Katie Glick. It seems clear to me that WaMu (as they like to call themselves) is trying to establish themselves as gay-friendly. Need a joint checking account with your same-gender non-spouse? No problem at WaMu.

I think that’s great and it’s to be applauded.

2. Notice the names again — Kim Yeats & Katie Glick.

Kim is a perfectly acceptable name for a man, which leads me to believe that, although WaMu is trying to get in with the gay crowd, they don’t want to piss off the homophobes. Using a gender-neutral name allows those observers who may be uncomfortable with same sex joint checking.

In order to avoid being uncomfortable, all you have to do is not want it. It’s pretty clever, if slightly cowardly.