Aargh - magazine advertising

[IorekByrnison]

So this is so stupid I am embarrassed to be posting but would really appreciate any advice.

I am a freelance singer (classical/opera), and was recently persuaded to buy some advertising in a wedding magazine on the basis that it was a special issue with a feature on wedding music, which would obviously attract particular interest to the adverts for musical services.

I've just had a copy of the magazine through and read the feature on music, which is billed as "a guide to choosing the right music for your big day". It goes on to give advice which includes - for the arrival of the guests: "avoid vocals", and for the signing of the register: "make sure there's no singing - you don't want to distract your guests from talking about how good you look!"

So, given that as a classical singer these are precisely the slots I would normally be booked for, I'm pretty pissed off. Naturally I'm planning to complain, but wonder if I have any right to refuse to pay for the advertising (haven't paid yet, but have an invoice which is due).

Does anyone have any ideas?

Blimey Iorek, that's really shit, isn't it!

No advice from me, other than to check back over any paperwork you had initially, detailing the content of the issue.

As another singer, I would say that the signing of the register is a perfect time to have a singer! In a lot of churches, you can't see the register being signed, so you need a bit of entertainment!

We had singers at three different points in our wedding. Twas beautiful.

How weird! I can't see why they would have even put that in - doesn't make sense.

I would write a professional-sounding letter (and keep a copy) explaining that you would never have taken out the ad if you knew the mag was going to specifically put readers off your services, and nor would anyone. Say in view of this you are not intending to pay for the advertising as you were misled into thinking the feature would promote the type of service you provide, and this was not true. Ideally, look up the legal situation too and see if there is any act you can quote about mis-selling or trades descriptions etc.

Thanks muffle, that's very helpful - I'm not sure where to look up the legal situation but will have a rootle around on the net about trade descriptions.

The way the feature was written was that they enlisted the help of a solo guitarist (who no doubt has also place an ad although I haven't checked), and the advice seems to have come from him.

Thanks, littlefish too - always nice to talk to other singers. Do you do many weddings?

Infuriating!

Just as a guess, I'd say that they probably reserve the right to print whatever they want in the non-paid-for copy, regardless of advertisers' interests -- but equally, in a mag that is prob run almost entirely for ad revenues they wouldn't want to piss you off and might make an informal agreement to give you a discount deal on a future advert?

The 'aviod vocals' etc crap might not be a problem at all, though. When there's a news story like 'Marmite found to contain depleted uranium', readers tend to react like Homer Simpson 'Mmmmm Marmite' and sales of Marmite tend to go up. It's quite possible that the readership will just glance through the copy (Who would actually read that stuff?) and say 'Mmmm, vocals.' Seriously.

Hi Iorek - I just sing for friends now.

Just a thought - perhaps you could negotiate to write a piece about the merits of using singers as part of a subsequent issue?

Duh, and they didn't spot that the guitarist's cunning "avoid vocals" advice might have been part of his self-promotion plan!?

Another thing you could do is insist that they re-run your ad in the next issue, alongside a nice piece about singers at weddings, with advice from you

Great minds littlefish!

No advice on the legal side - but we had a singer (now a semi=pro in the US - but then a meer school boy with an incredible voice) for the signing of the register - and we were in full view of everyone as it was a tiny chapel

Thanks FAQ. Yes it was that dumb signing of the register comment that really pissed me off.

Thanks threadworm, and thanks again muffle and littlefish - that does sound like a good idea. Do you think I should propose that straight away or in the first letter say I'm not happy about paying for the advert because x, y, z and see what they come back with? (I'm rubbish at this sort of thing.)

Actually I'm liking the second idea more now, because it's all positive and easier for them to say yes to. At the very least they should run it again, and of you offer to give them advice for an article that's good for them too.