Fergie’s Pub Fires Back at I-95’s Injury Lawyer Billboard Blitz

The owners of Fergie’s Pub, a beloved Center City establishment, decided to inject some humor into Philadelphia’s daily commute – and a bit of publicity for their bar. Their solution? A billboard along Interstate 95 that playfully spoofs the seemingly endless advertisements for personal injury lawyers.

Driving along I-95 in Philadelphia has become synonymous with a tour of personal injury law firm billboards. These firms aggressively market their services, utilizing the city’s recognizable phrases to capture the attention of potential clients. According to Philadelphia Magazine, there were as many as 30 different billboards for personal injury lawyers along the I-95 corridor just last year. The substantial marketing budgets of these firms have saturated billboards, radio, and even public transportation with ads promising financial recovery through lawsuits.

A Satirical Billboard Emerges

Amidst the familiar faces of firms like Pond Lehocky, Morgan & Morgan, TopDog, and Krasno, Krasno & Onwudinjo, a new billboard has appeared – one advertising Fergie’s Pub on Sansom Street. Fergus Carey and Jim McNamara, the bar owners, are prominently featured, gazing sternly at motorists.

Fergie’s Pub, a Center City staple since 1994, is making a statement. The billboard boldly proclaims: “Injured? Do not call these guys. They’re not even lawyers. They actually own a bar!”

Carey, a Fishtown resident, explained that he’s been noticing the proliferation of these ads for years. Recently, he observed that the marketing had reached a point of self-parody. “It’s crazy,” Carey remarked. “There’s one company whose ad actually says, ‘Don’t choose a lawyer based on a billboard,’ which is brilliant!”

From Newspaper Ad to Highway Billboard

Carey and McNamara, inspired by the moment, had their picture taken and initially ran the ad in Metro Philadelphia newspapers. Carey then explored the possibility of a billboard on I-95, but the initial quotes were too high. However, a former neighbor stepped in to make it happen.

“This guy who used to live around the corner from Fergie’s reached out and said, ‘I can make that a reality,'” Carey said. “He took the ball and sent me proposals and pricing that were far more reasonable than I expected.”

While Carey declined to disclose the exact cost, he described it as “not that heavy.” The response has been overwhelmingly positive. The chef at Fergie’s Pub received texts from friends in Fishtown, declaring the billboard a “highest compliment.” Even a lawyer who visited the pub admitted hearing about it from a colleague, with a younger associate questioning the bar owners’ motives – a concern quickly dismissed by the senior partner.

A Lifelong Philadelphian’s Playful Marketing

Carey, originally from Dublin, Ireland, moved to Philadelphia in 1987 and began his career as a bartender at McGlinchey’s. He opened Fergie’s Pub in 1994 with his late friend, Wajhi Ahbed, and played a role in launching Monk’s Cafe and Grace Tavern. He and McNamara now co-own The Goat Rittenhouse and The Jim bar in South Philly, with a new venture, The Monto, set to open in April.

Carey anticipates the billboard will be visible to tourists he guides on trips to Ireland, and hopes it will draw crowds to Fergie’s Pub, especially for St. Patrick’s Day. “I think it’ll bring attention to us,” Carey said. “We’ve been here for 31 years, we’re busier than ever. I’m just keeping it relevant, keeping it fresh, and having a laugh.”