RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - The Richmond Chamber of Commerce pulled its "Get Off" billboard from the side of Interstate 95.
Erected last week, the campaign was designed to convince drivers along Interstate 95 to get off the highway and explore some of what Richmond has to offer. However, some people who saw the sign found the wording a little too suggestive. The chamber pulled down the electronic message on Friday.
"We had lots of support, but also heard some concerns that the pun was too suggestive," Greater Richmond Chamber Director of Marketing Lesley Howson Bruno wrote in an email to CBS 6. "People were confusing it with a new slogan for the city, which is definitely NOT what it was."
"It was part of our ongoing efforts to enliven the I-95 corridor as is passes through Richmond, to make it more representative of Richmond’s creative spirit," she added.
Reaction to the sign and the decision to remove it had a mixed reaction on theCBS 6 Facebook page. Although most of the people who posted said the sign should stay.
"Anyone can clearly see its talking about getting off the interstate. Some people need to get their minds out the gutter. Its a shame!" wrote Brenda Whittaker.
"That's the problem with our society...they read something negative into everything. The poster is cute and draws your eye to Richmond," posted Kimberly Rector.
However, at least one person is pleased the sign is gone.
"Glad to hear they got pulled. 'Get off in Richmond' sounds like a bad XXX film," wrote Lea Setegn who added she was not offended. "Our city has had enough bad publicity over the years that we don't need to deliberately help it along"
For more information about the sign and on how you can order a poster-sized version, click here or click here.
