'Your Man' Reminder App

Need a reminder to check yourself for breast cancer? There’s an app for that. And instead of a static calendar or alert you have the option of picking one of six men to remind you to give yourself a breast exam. 


Everyone knows sex sells.  Clothes, perfumes, even burgers as we’ve seen over the past few years, but using sex to inform and sell a health cause? That’s new. 


And I’m not talking about the ‘you have sex, you die’ use of it either, here’s a Public Service Announcement (PSA) from Rethinking Breast Answer that show cases this interesting use of sex appeal to get, and keep, the attention of their target market while getting across pertinent information:



Now, in some of the youtube comments people pointed out that it objectifies men and its’ reverse sexism' but I’ll be honest, I found it amusing. It’s entertaining, educational (got across the major points on checking yourself out with their TLC bit) and effective (I watched the whole thing and I won’t lie, I normally zone out on PSA) and since I learned about it through facebook it has great potential for going viral if it hasn’t already.


Add in the fact that it also has a mobile aspect, it’s already hit on two of the biggest ways to get your message out to a public that is inundated with messages about breast cancer. Online and through the use of cellphones. 

As well, advertising online using this as the basis for the campaign could be a lot of fun and could mimick aspects of the actual app using a real media ad so you can experience it without actually downloading it and I think there would be quite a few click throughs to the actual website.


This sex sells cancer awareness isn’t just aimed at females either.


Here’s an ad aimed at men to check themselves out for testicular cancer. This one is more sex driven (and  has been tagged 18+ on youtube and is kinda NSFW so click with caution) then the previous one and isn’t as up front about the purpose behind the ad but I think it does your grab your attention and is amusing:





Again, it’s entertaining, informational and it gets the point across.

It uses sex appeal and shock factor to keep you watching and let’s face facts here, underwear model plus an accent equals their target audience paying attention, but how effective is it?

I’m pretty sure I won’t be seeing that Rhian ad on television over here and I haven't seen any mobile or online aspects to spread it. Is there any point in creating an ad if it’s not likely to get seen? 


As well both of these ads, Rhian more so then Your Man App, have the potential to cause controversy and might cause attention that is more harmful then helpful.

 
What do you guys think?

PSA (Public Service Announcement) - An ad intended to raise awareness of an issue and potentially lead to action.