MANHATTAN BEACH—The advertising community was shocked to learn today that ad agency G&M Plumbing issued its very first non-satirical press release. The news release cites the announcement of the EAT & EAR Award for Best Television Campaign of 2007. The agency’s winning campaign for Red Robin Gourmet Burgers was awarded by Nation’s Restaurant News at the annual MUFSO conference in Los Angeles on Monday.

“This is a terrific award and we’re honored to be recognized in such a competitive category,” said agency principal Glenn Miller in a very serious tone. “We’re happy for our Red Robin client and couldn’t have done it without their full support and encouragement,” he added, again with a deadpan expression.

Said one restaurant insider, “I’m not surprised by the fact that their Red Robin campaign was so well received, I’m just surprised that G&M’s press released lacked any sense of humor. Not one irreverent joke in the whole thing. What gives?”

While some who read the news release were convinced this was yet another attempt at demonstrating the agency’s sense of humor and irreverence, G&M principal Mickey Taylor defended the article by saying “Seriously. We’re not messing around. We really did win the award and we’re not trying to be funny.”

G&M has long been known for their offbeat, and at times, self-deprecating press releases so the news of a non-humorous, totally serious article has some in the industry scratching their heads. “I’m not sure I like the unfunny G&M,” said an anonymous ad agency executive. “And I’m still not convinced this article isn’t supposed to be humorous in some way.” To which Mr. Miller responded, “We’re not trying to be funny. Why won’t anyone believe us?”