Gerry Farrell, creative director of the Leith Agency, has branded Edinburgh City Council’s deputy leader as ‘poisonous’ following criticism of the agency’s ‘Incredinburgh’ marketing campaign.
It follows calls by Steve Cardownie to ditch several slogans from the £300k marketing push, presaging a war of words between the pair.
Cardownie has hit back at what he calls ‘gratuitous personal insults’ and ‘unprofessional’ conduct following a string of comments posted on Farrell’s Twitter account.
These labelled Cardownie as ‘King Cobra’, ‘Leaker-in-Chief Steve Carbattery’, ‘Steve Carbootsale’ and ‘Hissing Steve’ following allegations that he had leaked details of the campaign weeks before it was due to be publically unveiled.
But Cardownie responded: “It is disappointing Gerry Farrell should descend into gratuitous personal insults like this. He should have broad enough shoulders to take the criticism.
“I was only critical of this particular campaign. I have actually lauded the Leith Agency over their other campaigns, but I just didn’t like this campaign when it was presented to us.”
“I’d have thought it would not be very good for his business that he cannot take legitimate criticism and resorts to a tirade of personal abuse. I think I’m entitled to have an opinion on it.”
The campaign is being funded by Marketing Edinburgh which receives funding from Edinburgh City Council.
Gerry Farrell declined to comment further when contacted by The Drum.