I've applied for jobs where the employer specified that they would only accept resumes in plain text format, presumably 1) to eliminate layout and formatting tricks that are intended to appeal to human eyes but add nothing of consequence or value otherwise to the document and 2) to increase their "readability" by reducing font-induced inaccuracies for machines used to scan the resumes and narrow down the search based on certain keywords or similar criteria.

I also agree with apotheon that the potential employer has the last word on the subject. If they reject the format you're try to push, it's all moot anyway.