During the Super Bowl Booking.com ran an ad in front of 100 million live viewers that slanders Landscape Architects and the profession. The commercial features actress Melissa McCarthy singing about vacations in which she says, "a fancy hotel with a sexy gardener" which is when McCarthy's husband and actor, Ben Falcone, while trimming a hedge with shears, clarifies that he is a Landscape Architect to the millions who watched the game and the countless others who have seen the ad run on their favorite television programs and throughout the internet.

Intentional or not, this major misrepresentation is an attack on the profession. However, despite the opportunity to protect the integrity and name of Landscape Architects the ASLA responded with laughter seemingly in appreciation of the commercial's comedic attempt.

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ASLA CEO, Torey Carter-Conneen issued a statement that encourage Landscape Architects to respond to this defamation in humor. According to Conneen, "At American Society of Landscape Architects, we love the humor and the delivery in 'Somewhere, Anywhere.' Like actor Ben Falcone's character, every landscape architect knows what it's like to have to explain what they do."

 

In LASN's upcoming March Parks issue, the Publishers commentary calls out the association for furthering the damage done to the industry.

LASN Publisher George Schmok recommends "the ASLA reach out to Booking.com and Melissa McCarthy, alert them of their mistake and issue press releases to the mainstream news outlets, and demand a retraction."

The commentary further explained that consistently reaching the public with an organized campaign to improve the image of the profession in the eyes of the entire country should be a priority of the society.

Conneen issued the following statement, although there was no indication of who it was sent to...

WASHINGTON (Feb. 10, 2023)-In response to Booking.com's 2023 "big game" ad "Somewhere, Anywhere" starring Melissa McCarthy, American Society of Landscape Architects CEO Torey Carter-Conneen released the following statement:

"Landscape architects design the treasured outdoor spaces where Americans gather, play, compete, relax, live, learn and work. If you love football stadiums, vacation resorts, public parks, campuses, plazas, waterfronts and other outdoor spaces, thank a landscape architect!

"At American Society of Landscape Architects, we love the humor and the delivery in 'Somewhere, Anywhere.' Like actor Ben Falcone's character, every landscape architect knows what it's like to have to explain what they do.

"Here's the secret: Landscape architects bring people together in beloved spaces enjoyed by all and make the world healthier and more beautiful."