-

AHF Condom Ads Go Bananas in NYC

“Just Use It” campaign initially rejected everywhere but Los Angeles, now on display in New York City, Chicago, and Miami

original AHF's "Just Use It” billboard campaign now is running in three new cities – New York City, Chicago, and Miami – after several national out-of-home advertising companies refused the artwork back in August. This board is at 575 Washington and W. Houston in NYC. (Photo: Business Wire)

AHF's "Just Use It” billboard campaign now is running in three new cities – New York City, Chicago, and Miami – after several national out-of-home advertising companies refused the artwork back in August. This board is at 575 Washington and W. Houston in NYC. (Photo: Business Wire)

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s (AHF) “Just Use It” billboard campaign now is running in three new cities – New York City, Chicago, and Miami – after several national out-of-home advertising companies refused the artwork back in August.

The billboards featuring a condom-covered banana with the “Just Use It” slogan and the “useacondom.com” URL originally only appeared in six central Los Angeles locations after many major national outdoor ad companies refused to accept the artwork.

Share

The billboards featuring a condom-covered banana with the “Just Use It” slogan and the “useacondom.com” URL originally only appeared in six central Los Angeles locations.

AHF offers free condoms at almost all of its facilities nationwide, including its 69 Healthcare Centers, 36 Wellness Centers, 62 Pharmacies, and 22 Out of the Closet thrift stores and offers free sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV testing at 36 Wellness Centers across 14 states.

“It’s ridiculous we couldn’t run an ad with a condom-clad banana. It’s just a piece of fruit,” said Michael Weinstein, AHF president and cofounder. “We may be moralistic in attitude, but the rising rates of STIs in New York prove we are hedonistic in behavior. We need blunt advertising to get the point across.”

In New York, case rates of gonorrhea and syphilis rose 26.3% and 32.7% respectively between 2017 and 2021.

The advertisements appear in the following four locations:

  • 1265 Jerome Ave & W 169th St in the Bronx/Fordham Heights (until 12/24/23)
  • 504 W27th St btw 10th & 11th - Under the Highline in Midtown West/Chelsea (until 12/31/24)
  • 575 Washington & W. Houston in SoHo/Lower Manhattan (until 12/24/23)
  • Johnson Ave & Morgan Ave in East Williamsburg/Bushwick (until 12/24/23)

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the world’s largest HIV/AIDS healthcare organization, provides cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to more than 1.8 million individuals across 45 countries, including the U.S. and in Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region, and Eastern Europe. To learn more about AHF, visit us online at AIDShealth.org, find us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, and subscribe to our AHFter Hours podcast.

Contacts

Ged Kenslea, AHF Sr. Comms Dir.
+1.323.791.5526
Ged.kenslea@ahf.org

Industry:

AIDS Healthcare Foundation

Release Versions
English

Contacts

Ged Kenslea, AHF Sr. Comms Dir.
+1.323.791.5526
Ged.kenslea@ahf.org

More News From AIDS Healthcare Foundation

California AB 1997 (Lee, D-Milpitas) Speeds Permitting, Spurs Housing at Local Level  

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--California AB 1997 (Lee, D-Milpitas) Speeds Permitting, Spurs Housing at Local Level...

Advocates Rally at Florida Capitol to Protect Lifesaving HIV Drug Access for Thousands, says AHF

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Advocates Rally at Florida Capitol to Protect Lifesaving HIV Drug Access for Thousands...

AIDS Healthcare Foundation Mourns the Passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AIDS Healthcare Foundation mourns the passing of longtime civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson, who died today at his home in Chicago after a long illness. Rev. Jackson was one of the first Black clergy to get tested publicly for HIV, helping to remove the stigma of the disease in the African American community. He was also among the earliest to urge his fellow clergy to join the response to HIV in the U.S. and abroad. While perhaps best known for his close relat...
Back to Newsroom