Pfizer Unveils Next Generation Viagra TV Spot

NEW YORK – Pfizer began rolling out a new series of spots for its erectile dysfunction drug Viagra this week, focusing not only on the product’s efficacy, but also including alternative treatment language.

One spot, from McCann Erickson in New York, opens with a couple sitting by a TV watching a baseball game, but it’s obvious the woman in the room has other things on her mind. As she heads upstairs, her body language makes it clear she’d welcome her companion’s company.

A voiceover observes, “They say in life there’s only room for one great passion … unless you’re really clever.” The man then grabs a videotape, starts recording the game he was watching, and then presumably heads upstairs as well. The spot then cuts to a doctor touting Viagra, but who also mentions “Viagra is one of several ED treatments you and your doctor can consider.”

A rep for Pfizer said that as with all of its ED advertising, the new spot will air only during age-appropriate programs with at least 90% adult viewership and after 8 p.m. Spend was not revealed.

--Rory J. Thompson