Boston

Read the city’s letter about Trojan’s free vibrator giveaway at Boston’s City Hall Plaza (UPDATED)

People receive a free vibrator sex toy, which was being distributed by the Trojan condom company from their 'Pleasure Carts' on August 9, 2012 in New York City. The carts, which resemble traditional hot-dog carts, had to shut down during a give-away on Wednesday due to large crowds.
SPENCER PLATT/GETTY IMAGES

The city’s displeasure with Trojan’s proposed vibrator giveaway may be a bigger buzz kill than Buzz Killington.

The city is urging a marketing company working with condom-maker Trojan to not go ahead with a planned vibrator giveaway promotion that was planned for City Hall Plaza.

The news of the city’s effort to dissuade the company from holding the event in the heart of Downtown Boston – through a letter sent yesterday – has created a buzz throughout the city.

While the city acknowledges that the promotion is legally protected because of the public nature of City Hall Plaza, it is objecting to the giveaway.

A spokesman for Trojan said in a statement that the company is trying to work with the city to find “the right” location for the giveaway.

“We were pleased to work with the City of New York to make the Trojan Vibrations giveaway a huge success and hope to do the same in Boston. The interest level in this promotion was phenomenal and proves just how mainstream vibrators have become.  We’re excited to get the Trojan Vibrations Pleasure Carts back on the road and hope to bring the buzz to Bostonians next,” said Bruce Weiss, the vice president of marketing for Trojan Sexual Health. “We will continue to work in partnership with the City of Boston to find the right location to host the Trojan vibrator giveaway and are exploring all options. We want this to be a pleasurable experience for everyone.”

A similar scenario played out in New York City earlier this year, but city officials there eventually let the pleasure proceed. About 5,000 vibrators were given away during that promotion.

The letter sent to the marketing company can be read below:


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