All that's not likely to happen because here in America we value the freedom of information and believe the first amendment applies to corporate speech as well as to individual speech.
But Viagra.com has moved to the dark side and has become the first Rx drug site to use a black background, as far as I am aware (see screen shot below).
Several weeks ago, I noticed a similarly dark Viagra print ad in a magazine (see "Be a Macho Man! Ask Your Doctor for Viagra!"). The Viagra.com web site continues the "macho" theme as well.
Man, I'd love to be like one of these guys! Own a private plane and even know enough to work on its engine as well as not panic when my OLD car's water temperature gauge goes into the red zone while I'm driving through the desert! Who knew such guys had ED (erectile dysfunction)?
ED guys don't have to ask mechanics for help on the road, but they DO have to ask their physicians for help getting an erection (ie, a prescription for Viagra). That's the best advice Viagra.com can offer!
P.S. Delving a bit deeper into the Viagra.com Web site, I find that "ED is More Common Than You Think" in the "Common Questions" section. There, Pfizer claims that "MORE THAN HALF OF MEN OVER 40 HAVE SOME DEGREE OF ED." I've often taken issue with this statement, so I researched the source that Pfizer cites for this: The Massachusetts Aging Men Study, which found that 52% of respondents claimed they had some degree of ED. Another analysis of this study concluded "Men who worked in blue-collar occupations were one and a half times more likely to develop ED compared to men in white-collar occupations" (see here). So why aren't blue-collar men depicted in Viagra ads instead of professional-looking guys and guys who own their own private planes? I doubt many blue-collar types are able to afford their own private airplane these days. What kind of world does Pfizer think we live in????
Not the first one to use a dark background...check out the microsite on Xyntha.com: http://xyntha.com/dualchambersyringe/index.html
ReplyDeleteVery interesting... another Pfizer site!
ReplyDeleteAmusing as always. You know the answers to your questions because this is marketing at its finest. Appeal to the macho in the man so he can talk to his doctor about ED, admittedly not an easy subject. Target white collar males because they can afford it. As for the results of the survey, it depends on how you ask the questions.
ReplyDelete@manguitartech tweeted: "The point is that most blue-collar guys ASPIRE to own private aircraft. This is marketing! PS Will he find ED treatment in there?"
ReplyDeleteTo which I responded: "Ah, yes, ED marketing that makes you feel inadequate 4 not having your own private plane! Brilliant!"