Celebrity ED Spokesmen

Viagra was patented in 1996 by an English company called Pfizer’s Sandwich, located in Kent. The pill’s compound was initially intended to cure high blood pressure and angina pectoris, both unrelated to erectile dysfunction. After the first clinical trials, the specialists noticed that the pill was more effective in inducing marked erections of the penis than on angina. As a result, the company started marketing Viagra for erectile dysfunction. The drug was FDA approved in the United States in 1998. It was the first oral treatment ever invented to treat erectile dysfunction. Sales in the United States began that same year. Because of high success rates, Viagra increased constantly in popularity among men with erectile dysfunction. Proof of success was the company’s over 1 billion dollar sales of the blue pill since it was first marketed.

With sildenafil as the main active ingredient, Viagra accomplished an amazing product introduction process. The targeted audience received the product happily; in terms of marketing, the pill was also a success. Although Viagra is only available on prescription, the company chose increasing its popularity among men by taking advantage of TV marketing. The marketing campaign of Viagra included celebrity ED spokesmen spanning throughout a scope of age groups. Generic Viagra campaign faces included Bob Dole, an American Senator, Pele, the famous Brazilian soccer player and Rafael Palmeiro. Moreover, men known for Viagra use include celebrities such as Hugh Heffner, Sir Sterling Moss and actor Michael Douglas.

The commercial spots issued to promote Viagra are based on erectile dysfunction having nothing to do with men’s masculinity. Ads encourage men to be more open about their sexual issues as this is the only way to get through this situation. Campaign images usually show a man in his thirties or forties, looking very happy with the pill. Ads also advices potential buyers to consult with their doctor on whether Viagra could be a solution for their problem. Additionally, women may appear in the spots as reinforcing the very famous effectiveness of Viagra.

Other marketing campaign strategies, included the more well-known celebrities. Celebrity appearances in these ads boosted the regular man’s motivation to come out of the ED closet: if a famous person admits to this problem publicly, why shouldn’t the everyman? This approach might have led a lot more men to admit having a health problem. Using celebrities certainly helped the manufacturing company make regular Joes feel more comfortable talking about this issue.

Marketing Viagra has been intense on TV and the Internet. There are various websites that sell the pill, or similar medicines made of herbs and which claim to be more natural and as effective as the real Viagra. This pill is also called Vitamin V. In the end, the strong marketing campaign that Viagra has brought to ED treatments has benefited sales for generic Viagra and such alternative treatments as well.

As for spokesmen of Viagra, there is not much to be said. Much like the Marlboro men, these celebrity-status men will always be known for bringing stud back for men over 50.

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