Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Kotex's new ad campaign tries to change society's perceptions of menstruation
4 comments
I just saw a commercial on TV for Kotex's line of menstruation products, called "U." I have to admit: normally, I tune out during commercial breaks, but this completely got my attention because it expressed basically every single qualm I have with your average tampon/pad ads:
I did some YouTube'ing, and not only do their commercials address how obnoxious tampon ads are, but they also address how uncomfortable people, particularly men, get when women talk about their periods:
And this one, again addressing the ridiculousness of most tampon/pad ads, made me laugh:
I also noticed that one of their ads posted on YouTube was tagged with "feminism." All of this was a bold move on Kotex's part, and although I don't use disposable pads/tampons (not since I bought my LunaPads), I'm intrigued.
Visit their YouTube channel or their website to learn more. Their website even has a pledge you can sign that starts out with:
Is this too good to be true?
I did some YouTube'ing, and not only do their commercials address how obnoxious tampon ads are, but they also address how uncomfortable people, particularly men, get when women talk about their periods:
And this one, again addressing the ridiculousness of most tampon/pad ads, made me laugh:
I also noticed that one of their ads posted on YouTube was tagged with "feminism." All of this was a bold move on Kotex's part, and although I don't use disposable pads/tampons (not since I bought my LunaPads), I'm intrigued.
Visit their YouTube channel or their website to learn more. Their website even has a pledge you can sign that starts out with:
Yeah, I have a period. And a vagina, not a va-jay-jay. It's what makes me a woman. But society and the media aren't being straight with me. It's like there's a code of secrecy and it makes me feel uncomfortable when talking about these topics.
Is this too good to be true?
Posts
July 15, 2010 at 8:59 AM
I love this! It really does seem too good to be true.
July 15, 2010 at 1:45 PM
Although I am a male, I have four sisters, a mother, two grandmothers, and multiple aunts. Let's just say I developed a comfortability about menstruation at a very young age. As a gay man, I became my girlfriends' best person to talk to about anything, including their problems "down there". Plus, I am comfortable with the word "vagina." NO gasps from me.
Anyhow, I love these ads. The ads I watched growing up were unfocused and confusing. I left watching them, thinking, "It's not that big of a deal. Why do women make such a big deal out of it?" Well, growing up, talking to more women and being open about it, I realized it's no picnic. I definitely feel for my girlfriends every time they're going through their period. I am very proud of them for living their regular, busy lives while going through agonizing pain and discomfort.
I am proud of Kotex for creating very unique, creative, funny, yet honest ads. I hope it expands and continues.
July 21, 2010 at 9:10 AM
interesting, because in australia kotex can't say vagina, this is the ad that we got:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxkUE5TtOFQ
July 22, 2010 at 9:38 AM
Thanks so much for writing about our campaign. We're really trying hard to break some barriers, and it's so rewarding when women (and especially self-identified feminists) feel that they can identify with the work.
Thanks again!
--Jordan Miller
Community Leader, U by Kotex*