Condom Ads Hit Network TV

June 1, 2005 — -- Two television networks will make history tonight when they broadcast commercials for Trojan condoms during prime-time viewing hours, the first such network exposure for the male contraceptive devices.

The WB network has agreed to air Trojan commercials after 9 p.m., starting with a 30-second spot during "Smallville." NBC has also approved a Trojan commercial, and Trojan was negotiating on Tuesday to place a commercial in the network's 10 p.m. hour tonight.

Though no formal government or industry restrictions prevent condom commercials from being shown in prime time, condom ads have traditionally been banished to late-night hours or cable networks. But television airwaves have recently become more open to products dealing with sexual health, evidenced by frequent network commercials for erectile dysfunction drugs and female contraception.

The new Trojan campaign includes four commercials focusing on sexual health statistics compiled by Trojan. The first commercial, viewable on Trojan's Web site before its television premiere, begins with a graphic explaining that 40 percent of people who know they are HIV positive do not divulge that fact to their sexual partners. All of the spots will include the message: "Other than abstinence, there is only one way to protect yourself. Use a condom every time."

This is a stark departure from Trojan's advertising from the past seven years, which included a mythical, humorous superhero known as Trojan Man. The serious tone is perhaps considered more appropriate for the 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. prime-time hours, which draw the most viewers.

"Our drive really is not necessarily to get on prime time, but to get an important public health message out," said Jim Daniels, Trojan's vice president of marketing. "Our statistics show that 15 million Americans each year contract STDs. We believe that the way we've communicated that is respectful and tasteful."