This printed Derek Jeter baseball card looks innocent enough until you realize someone placed President Bush in the stands and "The Mick" in the dugout.
We've all made embarrassing typos before. That's not why I'm posting it.
Proofreading needs to be more than simply reading copy. Graphics, photos, page numbers and other details we take for granted always need to be reviewed carefully.
This reminds me of a now legendary typo. NCR printed up large quantities of an important, corporate document. It included a full-length portrait of the CEO. Once it was proofed, it was printed and distributed.
It turned out the CEO’s zipper was down; his fly was unzipped; his barn door was open. And someone promptly lost their job over this proofreading mistake. Ouch.
Proofreading needs to include prooflooking.
tags | Derek Jeter
Great point, Kevin. I posted a blog yesterday on the importance of proofing, but didn't consider that photos and other graphics can contain errors as well. Thanks for the important reminder!
Posted by: Sarah Wurrey | 03/02/2007 at 10:37 AM
I don't believe for a moment that someone didn't know this was going out. Look at the ink they're generating, plus the colector's status of the card once the reprint goes out.
Also not that Topps management statement said they thought it was funny. No disciplinary action is expected. Basically, no harm, no foul.
Sound like the way you'd be treated? How's 'bout that poor slob at NCR?
Posted by: Leo | 03/02/2007 at 12:14 PM
On the no disciplinary action, it depends. Not every CEO would can someone over a typo. I know of two that have not done so...granted their fly wasn't down.
But you raise a good point on this being a true typo. It's interesting to see the conspiracy theory emerge quickly when anything like this hits the news. Healthy skepticism is an important trait to have.
Regardless of whether this was a scheme or a flub, the need for prooflooking is still valid.
Posted by: Kevin Dugan | 03/04/2007 at 12:10 AM
Excellent point, Kevin. I remember many years ago, when a client showed me the proofs of a newsletter I had written. Normally I wasn't involved in the production process after submitting my copy. But I had asked to see the proof. Good thing. My article about an employee with cancer featured a sidebar. The designer had chosen an odd shape to graphically illustrate the sidebar. To my eyes, it resembled a tombstone. Not a good choice. Fortunately, we had the time to change it.
After that, I was involved in the proofing of every issue.
Posted by: Donna Papacosta | 03/04/2007 at 09:01 AM
It's curious the same happens today with Obama and Ken Griffith Junior. excellent meme
Posted by: cialis online | 05/02/2011 at 01:40 PM