Selling tampons to the media-aware

[andrewducker]

"" (Watch on YouTube)

via lilysea
Of course, it doesn't do anything to combat the problems it (very amusingly) highlights, and is thus part of the problem, rather than the solution. But it might still be the bleeding edge of change.
Some good commentary at Sociological Images. Favourite comment:

A commercial like this one seems to tell to my face : “F**k it ! We’re not even going to bother pretending we’re not trying to manipulate you into buying our product, because years of conditioning and exposure to commercials have by now left you incapable of independent thought and critical thinking. So instead, we’re going to tell you EXACTLY how we have been conning you up until now, and you’re still going to buy our product anyway.”

Comments

[girl-onthego.livejournal.com]

It reminds me of the "man your man could smell like" campaign.

[andrewducker]

Which is the comparison that the page I linked to makes :->

[sageautumn.livejournal.com]

Having tried these... ...they ARE really awesome. There's an odd attention to detail with them that is just great.

I could go into more specifics but I'm pretty sure noone really wants to know.

[andrewducker]

Well, it wouldn't squick me out, so I'd say go for it.

[sageautumn.livejournal.com]

It's all little attention-to-detail stuff, but it adds up.

The plastic wrapper is slightly longer than the tampon it holds, so you can easily hold onto the top while you're opening it. Additionally, it is perforated only 3/4's of the way across, so it opens easily, then remains attached as one piece. The wrapper itself is a plastic that doesn't seem to be prone to static cling, so instead of flailing about trying to get the stupid thing off-your-hand!! it disposes pretty easily.

The plunger part pulls back and 'clicks' into place, so it's much harder to pull it out too far and end up with two pieces. It's also flailed at the end and doesn't easily directly meet the front part... ...which means it doesn't pinch any parts of skin that might get into the way.

The front part is straight plastic on the tip, making for easier insertion.

And the whole thing is in a vivid color (bright pink, yellow, green, blue) that I find honestly visually appealing. While I don't think we should/want to exactly announce to the world that I'm bleeding... I also find it really really bizarre the lengths that people go to hide it. So when you go into my bathroom, yes... there are products in there--discretely in a basket, not on a shelf with a spotlight--that should be accepted as a normal part of any bathroom shared with/inhabited by a female between the ages of 11 and 55.

I really like the ads... I enjoy the "This is all really sillycrazy," and I enjoy that they tend to use their own commercials--otherwise it's snarking on the competition, and that's (justified but) rude.

Yeah, in a time/world where we can watch commercials for Viagra and urination products, I think it's high time to stop acting like having your period is ... something that makes you wanna dance around in white pants.

[sageautumn.livejournal.com]

Oh, I meant to add a * on the straight plastic bit... I don't mean it's straight-line, I mean it's a more polished plastic, as opposed to a frosted sort? The terms are eluding me. I almost put it was slick-plastic, but that brought to mind a lubed sort of thing, which is not the case.

[andrewducker]

Cheers. Now, hopefully someone will see that and find it useful!

[octopoid-horror.livejournal.com]

adverts pretending not to be adverts are the new adverts.