New Delhi [India], May 5: In a vast and diverse country like India, where the reach of condoms is limited, e-commerce wellness companies are using immensely popular sporting events like the IPL to reach millions of otherwise unreachable people and encourage the adoption and consistent usage of condoms and sexual wellness products.
For instance, CondomBazaar.com, a popular e-commerce retail store specialising in condoms and sexual wellness products, promotes IPL-themed product bundles. According to the Condom Bazaar team, “The Indian Premier League (IPL) is more than just a cricket tournament; it’s a cultural phenomenon that captivates millions nationwide. We recognise its vast reach and strategically align our marketing efforts with the IPL season to promote condom usage.”
With targeted interventions like these, e-commerce retailers aim to normalise conversations around sexual wellness and encourage condom usage.
Decoding the Market
Despite advancements, condom usage in India remains relatively low. The NFHS-5 survey indicates that around 10% of men in India reported using condoms. So, there is a significant gap in awareness and adoption of condoms as a viable contraceptive method. Furthermore, the prevalence of condom usage is not uniform across India; it varies according to numerous demographic factors. For instance, only 7.6% of men in rural areas use condoms, as opposed to 13.6% of men in urban areas. Similarly, condom usage varies according to the state.
So, it makes reaching a wider audience and promoting condom usage with ads relevant to the local contexts extremely challenging. There is a clear need to find a common theme to reach diverse sections of society without facing these hurdles. This is where IPL comes in.
IPL: The Key to Mass Engagement
According to Star Sports statistics, the 2024 IPL season had a cumulative viewership of more than 40 crores for the live broadcast of 18 matches. The IPL’s extensive viewership cuts across urban and rural demographics, making it an ideal theme to connect with audiences that cannot be reached by any other means. It offers an excellent opportunity to engage with people nationwide in a context that is both entertaining and relevant.
Take the story of Rajesh Yadav, a farmer in the village of Bhogpur, Uttar Pradesh. Rajesh is a 28-year-old ardent cricket fan with two children. His wife, Anjali, had often requested him to get condoms for contraception, as the couple had reached the limit as to the number of children they could afford to have. “He used to tell me to either get sterilised at the district government hospital or walk the path God has chosen for us. But I never liked the idea of permanent contraception”, says Anjali.
“My friends in the village always made fun of those using condoms. As a result, I believed using them is shameful”, Says Rajesh. That changed suddenly when Rajesh encountered an IPL-themed condom advertisement on his smartphone. He was initially interested only in the IPL theme. “I asked myself how cricket and condoms could be connected. I was amused but curious. I followed the link and saw so many varieties of condoms listed on that site. I never knew about them before. Seeing condoms in fruit flavours made me want to try them”, says Rajesh.
The initial hesitation turned into inspiration. Rajesh not only started experimenting with different types of condoms but also started encouraging his friends in the village to try them. Anjali is also happy with the change. “Now that we use condoms regularly, we do not have disagreements on contraception usage. We have managed to find unity and intimacy by simply choosing a contraceptive that we both like. It all happened because of Rajesh’s interest in IPL”, says Anjali.
E-Commerce Initiatives Promote Sexual Wellness During the IPL Season
Sexual wellness is more than just condoms and contraception. From intimate hygiene products to lubes and lingerie, there are numerous wellness products available online. E-commerce wellness stores like Condom Bazaar are packaging all these products together and promoting them during the IPL season.
According to the Condom Bazaar team, “By bundling condoms, a functional contraception method, with other interesting sexual wellness products, we aim to make condoms more appealing to purchase for even the otherwise uninterested people. These bundles offer a great value for money and appeal to those who want to experiment.”
Condom Bazaar is leveraging the power of IPL to reach the audience through marketing efforts that resonate with cricket enthusiasts like the young couple Priya and Arjun from Delhi. “Watching IPL together and supporting the same team brought us together into a relationship! So, we believe every match is a celebration and an opportunity to strengthen our bond”, says Priya. They both felt the idea of using condoms at a time of celebration to be unexciting.
One evening, they came across a social media advertisement from Condom Bazaar promoting an IPL-themed intimacy bundle. “We both found the contents of that bundle interesting. Having products that promote intimacy and experimentation seemed like a perfect way to celebrate great sporting moments”, Says Arjun.
The couple initially treated condoms that came with the package as added extras. “We soon realised every product in the bundle, including the condom pack, is carefully curated. They all complemented each other so well that we started liking the condoms in the end. We use them regularly now!”, says Priya. These intimacy bundles introduced condoms to a couple who never intended to use them and added a whole new dimension to their relationship.
IPL and E-commerce Marketing: The Perfect Duo for Promoting Sexual Wellness Products
By promoting condoms with IPL-themed initiatives, e-commerce platforms are reaching diverse audiences, including those in rural areas and younger demographics. These initiatives are not only boosting sales but also playing a crucial role in normalising the conversation around sexual wellness and intimacy. As these campaigns continue to evolve, they hold the potential to significantly increase condom adoption and usage across India, contributing to better public health outcomes.
For more information, visit www.CondomBazaar.com.