This one’s for the ladies

Okay, I leave you for days on end with a picture of a foot, sorry about that. I even had a PR person pitching me on a product start by saying, “Ouch, I hope your foot feels better!” Definitely a sign that I left that post up too long.

I hope you’ll forgive me. Since we were last together we managed to sneak in a mini beach getaway and a family gathering seating 10 people at every meal. I’ve also picked more than 100 pounds of tomatoes since I last wrote, too, so expect more on that soon.

But today I’ve got a burning question for the ladies, because, despite being something of a PR hack myself, I just can’t really buy into or fully understand this product name.

Pro comfort? What exactly is pro comfort in a tampon? Because some of us are amateurs, and wouldn’t seek PRO LEVEL COMFORT?

Believe me, I’m sympathetic to the agency working on the old tampon account. I picture an old-style agency guy holding a cigar and barking from behind his massive mahogany desk as his dark-suited junior account reps quake in front of him, holding the storyboards (representing three all-nighters of work) that he has summarily dismissed in less than 30 seconds. Also? This scene is playing in black and white with the crackles of a reel-to-reel projector.

“Fred, Bob? Give me something fresh, something new, something unexpected in a tampon pitch. On my desk by COB today or you’re finished in this business!”

What Bob and Fred came up with in 1967.

But honestly, PRO-LEVEL COMFORT?

Would it be going out on a limb to suggest a man might be behind that line?

Because I’d don’t think I’d want to meet the woman who thinks that way.

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Anna Sawin

Anna Sawin is a Connecticut-based portrait, wedding, and editorial photographer. She lives in the shoreline town of Stonington with her family and has discovered the perfect cupcake. Just ask, she is willing to share her secret.

12 Comments

  1. Sara on September 3, 2008 at 9:56 am

    How about this for a slogan: “X brand Tampons: we include a bar of chocolate in every box and we believe you are always right”

    Really, it is a wonder I am not in advertising.

  2. Katy on September 3, 2008 at 10:16 am

    you make me smile.

    how about OB: because you’re confident enough to get it in without an applicator.

  3. MelodyA. on September 3, 2008 at 10:28 am

    Well, I think Sara and Katy above are hired!

  4. laura on September 3, 2008 at 10:28 am

    Yeah, I want me some of that pro comfort, because the regular ones just don’t cut it for a pro like me… so weird.

    I actually have a GOOD marketing idea for feminine hygiene products companies (in case any of y’all are reading).

    You know how the OB/GYN always gives you a big bulky pad like the ones you wore in 5th grade before they came out with things that are actually thin? The feminine hygiene companies should package up individual pads with coupons and sell them to OB/GYN offices for the same cheap price that they get those god awful 5th grade pads for. Better yet, give me a couple new-fangled pro comfort tampons, a few of the latest pads, and some good pantiliners–if they really are good, I’ll be a customer for life. I’m just saying I’ve spent a lot of time at the OBGYN office in the past 9 months and those free products could add up!

    Oh yeah, and at the hospital when I deliver my baby–give me a big old sample of diapers, wipes, and good maxi pads–I’m all about free swag that I can use!

  5. Heidi on September 3, 2008 at 1:06 pm

    Oh, I am sure it was men who thought of that, knowing us professional women would surely want pro coverage. Do they have amature tampons for young women?

  6. sdh on September 3, 2008 at 1:21 pm

    did you watch this week’s Mad Men episode, about the men trying to pitch a new Maidenform ad? didn’t go over so well, and of course they wouldn’t listen to the one woman on their team. idiots.

  7. ChiaLynn on September 3, 2008 at 3:32 pm

    I think maybe they mean to say that they’re “Pro-Comfort,” as opposed to “Anti-Comfort.”

  8. itsallabouthallie on September 3, 2008 at 8:09 pm

    Have you seen the Always pads with the little positive comments on them? OMG, “have a happy period” honestly! who thinks of this stuff?

  9. Christina on September 3, 2008 at 8:32 pm

    Good gosh, you can make anything funny. Seriously, you have a talent Anna!
    How long are you going to make us look at a box of tampons? Give us some cutie kiddos! 😉

  10. Amily on September 3, 2008 at 8:42 pm

    Did McCain’s team think up this slogan?? They are so in touch with women of today.

  11. JenBun on September 4, 2008 at 12:33 pm

    I’m maintaining my amateur status so I can wear tampons in the Olympics.

    😛

  12. Anna on September 4, 2008 at 12:42 pm

    Jen Ben, that is the best answer YET!

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anna

Anna Sawin is a Connecticut-based portrait, wedding, and editorial photographer. She lives in the shoreline town of Stonington with her family and has discovered the perfect cupcake. Just ask, she is willing to share her secret.