Even in the world of condom distribution, value-added condoms get titters. Value-added condoms include condoms that are studded (also called "dotted), ribbed, there are those which are even packed with Benzocaine (a topical numbing agent and cousin of Novocaine) to help men battle against the old foe, premature ejaculation.
A hero in this field is Dr. Reddy, inventor of some of the more interesting shapes of condoms. Dr. Alla Venkata Krishna Reddy invented:
(1) the Pleasure Plus (with a pouch that is an equivalent of a "waddle" on the lower part of the shaft to create additional sensation)
(2) the Inspiral and (3) the Twisted Pleasure - 2 condoms based on the same principal- a spiral shape for more pleasure.
Salon did an article on Dr. Reddy and the sad legal history of these condoms.
Some organizations even tested some Reddy inventions for use in public health interventions to motivate condom-haters to give protection a try.
While the innovation in India on condoms may have slowed, there is a new young Turk on the scene. Jan Vinzenz Krause in Germany is developing a spray-on condom that can provide a perfect fit with little chance of slip. They are still working on the coverage and vulcanization process, but it has been getting some media coverage-- including from Time Magazine.
Here's a video of the condom and an amusing diagram from the company website (in German).
Showing posts with label Durex. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Durex. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Why I Hate the Durex Balloon Animal Ad
The Durex Balloon Animal ad has been blazing through social circles faster than Herpes through Derek Jeter's little black book. (at least, that is what some gossip blogs have been saying).
The ad is cute and a fun little thing to pass on to friends for a joke, but does it make people more likely to USE condoms when they have sex?
Yes and no. Like with most marketing campaigns, you have to imagine the target group they are trying to reach and imagine how they would process seeing the same video.
Yes- What we have seen in condom use research is that consistent condom-users are more likely to report they bought condoms than non-condom users. This may overwhelm you with obviousness, but simple sense dictates is that if you have condoms with you, you are more likely to use them than if you didn't have them. If someone already uses condoms quite often, but not always, this ad may remind him or her to stop by to pick some up before a date.
No- think about people you know who do not use condoms (ever or only rarely). I've give you a picture that comes into my head: a semi-religious young woman who feels uncomfortable carrying or buying condoms because she associates having condoms with "sluts". This playful video may actually reinforce her association between condoms and being slutty and she'll be even more reticent to purchase (and therefore use) condoms.
I must admit that I am also annoyed by the rubbery-squeaking sound. If only they used water-based or silicone-based lubricant, they could have gone to town and protect themselves further from the latex breaking and reduce that annoying sound.
I'd advise people who click on this to see the Durex video (and outtakes) be 18 and older.
The ad is cute and a fun little thing to pass on to friends for a joke, but does it make people more likely to USE condoms when they have sex?
Yes and no. Like with most marketing campaigns, you have to imagine the target group they are trying to reach and imagine how they would process seeing the same video.
Yes- What we have seen in condom use research is that consistent condom-users are more likely to report they bought condoms than non-condom users. This may overwhelm you with obviousness, but simple sense dictates is that if you have condoms with you, you are more likely to use them than if you didn't have them. If someone already uses condoms quite often, but not always, this ad may remind him or her to stop by to pick some up before a date.
No- think about people you know who do not use condoms (ever or only rarely). I've give you a picture that comes into my head: a semi-religious young woman who feels uncomfortable carrying or buying condoms because she associates having condoms with "sluts". This playful video may actually reinforce her association between condoms and being slutty and she'll be even more reticent to purchase (and therefore use) condoms.
I must admit that I am also annoyed by the rubbery-squeaking sound. If only they used water-based or silicone-based lubricant, they could have gone to town and protect themselves further from the latex breaking and reduce that annoying sound.
I'd advise people who click on this to see the Durex video (and outtakes) be 18 and older.
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