Facebook Ad Campaign Scares Brazilians into Using Condoms

How would you like to see friend request from a son you didn't know you had?

An American study from October found that condoms were used in only one of every four instances of vaginal intercourse, but a new Brazilian ad campaign could help change that. The condom company Olla has begun setting up Facebook accounts for the would-be children of single Brazilian guys by taking their names and throwing a "Jr." on the end. The "son"'s account then asks to be friends with the father, who will probably be more than a little shocked to discover his dalliances have real-world consequences. Once the guy accepts the friend request, he's pointed to to the Olla website to learn all about the wonders of prophylactics. It's bordering on the spammy side of advertising, and all the press about the campaign will probably ruin its intended effect on young men, but even if it gets a couple Caetanos or Joaos to put on a glove before making love, it will have done its job.