Monday, May 22, 2017

You got what it takes to be the next face of Boy Butter!?

Enter our contest by submitting a short video on Instagram, FB or Twitter and tag @boybutter using hashtag #boybuttersearch and tell us why you should star in our next #tv #commercial + a year's supply of #lube #hotguys #boybutter #contest #tellyourfriends 

Monday, April 10, 2017

Sweet buttery justice!

     When justice comes and things that once went wrong are suddenly set right again, it’s a wonderful thing to experience.  After my recent article regarding the Boy Butter TV ad ban by Comcast in the Chicago market caught fire, it set tongues and fingers wagging globally toward the media behemoth to change it’s stance. Well, I’m happy to announce that the subsequent press coverage and the rightly directed indignation thrust upon Comcast brought forth those winds of change. Chicagoans themselves will soon see what all the fuss was about when they tune in at 8/7 central to VH1’s Rupaul’s Drag Race.

    After only six days since my article was posted Comcast graciously reached out to me and we amicably worked out a fair resolution. They released a positive statement regarding the matter, which highlights our budding Comcast/Boy Butter relationship; “We recently connected with the advertiser, and we are working together to revisit their campaign needs based on what is available in the local Chicago market.” If this is not an affirmative outcome I don’t know what is. It just goes to show you that Boy Butter can fight more types of friction than we ever expected.


     Now that my ad will be aired on a cable tv drag queen reality show in Chicago we were able to turn those lemons into lemonade after all. I wanted to send my thanks to all those who amplified our voice and supported Boy Butter in this struggle. We received heartfelt support worldwide from fans of the product, the gay community, members of the press and folks who never heard of my product before but thought we needed to be given a fair shake. This was a victory for the right thing to do and we are forever grateful that the playing field in the Midwest, and the rest of country got a little more equitable through this experience.

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Boy Butter TV commercial banned in Chicago

        In times like these we are constantly reminded about bigotry directed at all sorts of groups, but when it is directed at you it comes with the disheartening burn of shock and dismay. This was how I felt when I learned that my brand new Boy Butter commercial, currently airing on this season of Rupaul’s Drag Race on VH1 in NYC, LA, San Diego and nationwide on Canada’s OutTV was banned from airing on cable TV in Chicago. According to ComCast TV in the so-called liberal windy city of Chicago did not think viewers could handle the level of gayness in this ad starring sexy ginger, Seth Fornea, who is showing us all how to properly use a butter churn. One would think that in the Mid West the sight of a butter churn would bring back nostalgic feelings of nearby dairy farms, but alas if a gay man is churning that butter, not so much. 

        One of the best things about owning a personal lubricant company is the marketing, creating fun tongue in cheek ads that push my products as well as my own gay point of view. If you take this case of blatant censorship in Chicago it smacks of nothing more than a sexist and homophobic double standard. Our intention with this commercial was to make a gay version of the sexy Super Bowl ads and tame it down to be as “PG” as possible, so as to avoid this type of ban. Take for example the 2015 Carl’s Jr. Super Bowl ad starring Charlotte McKinney, which is basically porn in comparison. A sexy busty woman being suggestive and showing a lot of skin is fine but if you just replace that woman with a gay man, it is a much different story. 


        “I think it’s Chicago’s loss and a clear representation of how shamed and stigmatized our sexuality is.” says Daniel Robinson, the director/producer of this banned Boy Butter commercial. Even though this ad is meant to be aired on a drag queen contest reality show on VH1 at night, that distinction matters not when homophobia and sexism rear their ugly heads. It’s also possible the big budget ads of Burger King or Carl’s Junior helps them skirt the prudish censorship rules but it still does not feel fair. My hope is that by continuing to push the boundaries of what is acceptable and palatable on TV, Boy Butter can create a space where gay men can watch images of themselves, not only in the shows that we watch but also the advertising that sponsors them.

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