Thursday, June 21, 2007

TV Networks Super-sensitive about Condom Ad

We read:

"A new commercial for Trojan condoms, which launches this week, is getting flimsy reception at some major networks. In fact, Fox and CBS have both rejected the commercial, the NY Times reports. In a written response to Trojan, Fox said that it had rejected the spot because, "Contraceptive advertising must stress health-related uses rather than the prevention of pregnancy." In its rejection, CBS wrote, "while we understand and appreciate the humor of this creative, we do not find it appropriate for our network even with late-night-only restrictions." .....

In the new spot, women in a bar are surrounded by anthropomorphized, cellphone-toting pigs. One shuffles to the men's room, where, after procuring a condom from a vending machine, he is transformed into a head-turner in his 20s. When he returns to the bar, a fetching blond who had been indifferent now smiles at him invitingly. Directed by Phil Joanou, the commercial is entertaining. But it also has a message, spelled out at the end: "Evolve. Use a condom every time." ...

"The `Evolve' ad does a nice job of being humorous, but it's also a serious call to action," Daniels told the Times. "The pigs are a symbol of irresponsible sexual behavior, and are juxtaposed with the condom as a responsible symbol of respect for oneself and one's partner." ....

"We always find it funny that you can use sex to sell jewelry and cars, but you can't use sex to sell condoms," Carol Carrozza, vice president of marketing for Ansell Healthcare, which makes LifeStyles condoms, told the Times. "When you're marketing condoms, something even remotely suggestive gets an overly analytical eye when it's going before networks' review boards."

Source