Make your own condom ad

For the second year in a row Ansell Personal Products, the maker of Lifestyles condoms, is seeking the creativity of college students and media wizards by asking them to produce television commercials about condoms.

But the winning advertisements have been relegated to progressive, offbeat cable channels MTV and Comedy Central.

"Sadly, the spots were turned down by all of the major broadcast networks," said Carol Carrozza, director of marketing at Ansell.

But what a difference a year makes. Soon broadcast network affiliates will begin airing last year's winning spots.

"Network television is finally jumping on the bandwagon and recognizing the importance of television condom advertisement," said Lynn Peterson, supervisor of public relations at Tarkenton & Addams, Inc.

NBC affiliates in Seattle and Chico will air the Lifestyles ads in their 9 p.m. to 10 p.m. slots, beginning this week and running through October. Beginning Sept. 23, NBC's Houston affiliate will run ads in its 11:30 p.m. time slot.

Opinions on campus vary regarding condom ads on television.

"I think it's important to advertise to allow people to become more aware," said Tom To, human development major, "but I'm biased as to what time of day they are shown. I don't think children under 10 should be exposed to that kind of advertisement.

"Sex education should start after the age of 10. It's not appropriate otherwise," he said.

Still others believe the adage, "The sooner, the better."

"You can never start teaching kids too young about safe sex," said one Cal State Long Beach psychology major. "The sooner they are taught how to protect themselves the greater their chances are to stay healthy."

Whatever one's conviction, there is an opportunity to break into the controversial big time by creating a television advertisement for the most useful rubber product since the wheel.

Students can call (800) 213-4560 and request an entry package for $5.95. Those with Internet access can enter the contest free through the Lifestyles web site at http://www.lifestyles.com. The deadline for entry is Dec. 31.

A panel of judges will choose 250 merchandise winners and 12 cash prize finalists. The grand prize winner will claim a $10,000 prize, with other finalists receiving from $1000 to $5000 each.