It is fair to say that, these days, there is an awareness event for just about everything. National Chocolate Cake Day? Yep. International Doughnut Day? You betcha. Tell A Fairytale Day? Of course. National Stick Your Fingers in the Plug Socket Day? Not yet, but no doubt it will come.
So, with that in mind, this week we’re talking bollocks (no change there, you may say) with the launch of a new campaign by the charity World Vasectomy Day (WVD).
Confusingly, World Vasectomy Day, the event, takes place on the third Friday of November but it seems this lot are spurting early to coincide with the first Valentine’s Day since the overturn of Roe v. Wade in the US.
And I quote: “A true act of love looks different this year, with chocolates and flowers just not cutting it. Conversations around reproductive care and family planning have always been one-sided, with those who can get pregnant being held responsible for birth control, when 100% of unwanted pregnancies are caused by testicles.” (Not sure it is the testicles alone who are to blame but we get the ‘jism’ of the argument.)
Anyway, according to research from sex toy brand EdenFantasys, people not only have more sex on Valentine’s Day, they also claim to have much better sex to boot.
So, WVD (a rather unfortunate acronym if ever there was one) is launching the Cards to Nards campaign that allows you to send greeting cards directly to testicles so they can learn about vasectomies as an easy and effective form of contraception.
Created by independent ad agency Tombras, the campaign features a series of limited-edition physical and digital cards, custom-made upside down heart lollipops (resembling testicles) that say ‘Unwanted Pregnancy Sucks’, and a series of out-of-home posters.
Comedian Ilana Glazer has teamed up with WVD for the initiative to help raise awareness about the importance of considering a “post-Roe vasectomy”. In a supporting video, Glazer incorporates her tongue-in-cheek tone while reading lines from the cards and sharing key campaign message points.
There is a call-to-action to share the cards on social media, using the hashtag #CardstoNards, and the website will live on after February, with WVD planning to introduce new cards for relevant holidays throughout the year, such as Earth Day, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day.
Glazer said: “I know several people who’ve gotten vasectomies, but I don’t hear it being talked about very much! So I was glad to help WVD spread the message of considering a post-Roe vasectomy as a way to play a role in birth control.”
WVD co-founder Jonathan Stack said: “We are always seeking ways to link one’s personal choice to get a vasectomy to the collective impact this profound act of love has for what matters most. Be it the well-being of our children, the health of our partner, the future of the planet, or access to a safe abortion everywhere, we believe that being kind and compassionate includes fighting for all of our reproductive rights.
“This brilliant campaign creates awareness of vasectomies at a time when the options to avoid unwanted pregnancy in the US are under attack. What better moment than Valentine’s Day to remind the world of this beneficial choice.”
So, what is the consensus around the Decision Marketing office?
Well, this one has rocked the office, that’s for sure. Funnily enough, the women love it; the men are not so sure and, if the testicles could talk, they would no doubt be feeling vulnerable.
The Valentine’s Day link is clever; less so the Roe v. Wade case, which seems to make light of one of the most controversial rulings in US history.
But if, as WVD argues, the future of the planet relies on millions of fellas getting the snip, we’re doomed.
Decision Marketing Adometer: A “doesn’t quite cut it” 6 out of 10
