Condom ad moved to later time: ASA

An advertising agency has arranged that a commercial promoting condoms be rescheduled to air at times when children are not watching television, the Advertising Standards Authority of SA said on Friday (21/11/2014).

This followed a complaint by Clint White that the commercial, flighted on SABC3 in October, was not appropriate to air during family shows.

White said he had two six-year-old children and the commercial led to uncomfortable questions.

The advert for Lovers Plus condoms shows a couple at a coffee shop, and miniature alter egos of them dancing and undressing for each other on the table.

As the man reaches for his wallet to pay, a condom falls out. The woman looks at him, smiles, takes the condom and they leave. The alter egos, wearing only underwear, are shown climbing under a blanket.

The voice-over states: "With Lovers Plus it's safe to let your other side play. Lovers Plus, it's play time".

According to the ASA, the advertising agency, Joe Public SA, on behalf of the respondent in the complaint, Population Services International, had submitted that the SABC had rescheduled all its advertising to later times.

The only exception was programming on content related to similar issues, such as HIV/Aids prevention by the use of condoms.

"The respondent has confirmed that it agrees with the SABC's approach to only flight this commercial in programming that is not likely to reach a young audience, and that it would ensure that this approach is followed going forward," ASA said.

"As this appears to be what the complainant requested, the directorate is satisfied that the undertaking to ensure that the commercial is henceforth only scheduled during appropriate, mature programming is an adequate resolution to the matter." - Sapa