Via cooper in comments, an ingenious little ad showcasing an ingenious little advance in condom packaging.
The ads are from South Africa and feature actors playing Jacob Zuma, Deputy President of the African National Congress, and Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, South Africa’s controversial Health Minister. The joke’s on them:
The firm’s adverts, which can be seen on its website, feature jokes at the expense of two senior South African politicians – former Deputy President Jacob Zuma and Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang.
Mr Zuma said in a court case that he had showered after having unprotected sex with a woman he knew to be HIV-positive in order not to contract the virus.
Dr Tshabalala-Msimang is known as “Dr Beetroot” for her advice to those with HIV to eat nutritious food such as garlic and beetroot.
South Africa has one of the highest rates of AIDS in the world, and condom use is low. What I find interesting about this brand of condom is that the designers looked at the problem not as one of lack of education or ignorance on the part of South Africans, but as one of product design:
[Willem] van Rensburg said he looked at the research into South Africa’s Aids problem and found that low condom use was a real factor and this was largely because people found them difficult to use.
“People find it’s a passion-killer and they’re willing to take their chances.”
Bravo, Pronto.
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Awesome!
I love the applied problem solving. Take away the excuses for not using condoms, and maybe people will be persuaded to use them.
I don’t expect that a package design will solve the problem of HIV/AIDS in South Africa, but a concrete approach to addressing a specific, researched reason that people don’t use condoms is a really good thing.
Wow. That’s brilliant! I’ve been annoyed many times cause I didn’t tear the stupid foil wrapper just right, so just a corner came off, and had to try again.
If I were a guy, I think I’d try them just to see if they were as easy as the commercial said. They almost look like fun from the commercials.
Man, I’m gonna be walking around muttering “ProntoCondoms!” in a South African accent under my breath all day. I love the long rolling “rrr”
And that is a hell of a packing idea!
Trojan, Lifestyles, etc. need to take a leaf out of Pronto’s book and make their packaging the same. I know that I would be much more likely to use condoms with my boyfriend if they were easier to get out and put on. I bet this would really help decrease unwanted pregnancy and STI’s if distributed within the states. I tried buying these condoms on their website, but they are too expensive right now. I think 3 condoms cost 23 dollars. But hopefully they can make their way in other markets and help promote safer sex across the world!
PRONTO CONDOMS!!! WOO!
Wow.
I do not ever get sick of watching these ads. They’re the best! Good job, Pronto!
This is one of those ideas where the old way seems fine… Until you see the new way, and OH GOD, how did we ever live with the fucking joke that was the old way?
I just read The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. It’s quite possible whoever came up with this idea did, too. Information and education is low leverage, low effectiveness way to try to make change. Most people who have unprotected sex do it not because they don’t _know_ about the health risks, but because condoms are a bit of a hassle and can dampen the mood. Problem solved. Hopefully.
Also, that’s the best slogan ever.
My thoughts exactly! I hope that packaging catches on soon!
Sweet. I want some.
Oh man, I wish those were available in the US. No more latex-smelly hands would = awesome.
Everytime I hear “Pronto condoms” it makes me think of, well, a premature conclusion to the activities requiring the condom. “The fastest way to get it on”? Perhaps I betray my womanly nature here, but I didn’t think that was the goal.
On the other hand, it is really cool.
Lindsay, the price on the website is in Rands, not dollars. 23 ZAR is about 4 USD.
Anybody know how to get these here in the States? I’d pay four bucks for quicker, cleaner condoms.
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