Durex Ads Win In Humour and Creativity: 5 Best Examples

To reinforce these themes across Hong Kong’s busy cityscape, Durex employed OOH advertising in high-traffic areas like MTR stations and bus shelters. Large, eye-catching visuals showcased snippets of couple-centric imagery and short, thought-provoking copy that teased the concept of “compatibility.” This OOH presence acted as both a companion to the video ad—piquing curiosity among passersby—and a standalone invitation to reflect on the importance of communication and emotional alignment in relationships.

2. Durex Parody Instagram Ad

There's a recent bus and tram shelter ad that caught Hong Kongers' attention not for its intended reason but a rather humourous one. It's a seatbelt safety ad featuring Michelle Yeong with the slogan "I wear a seatbelt".

In Cantonese, the words "seatbelt" and "condom" are very similar, causing passersby to read the ad as the latter mistakenly. Durex took this opportunity and produced a similar set of ad creatives but used the "mistaken" slogan to capture the momentum this had online:

Source: Durex Hong Kong Instagram

By leaning into the viral chatter and creating parody ads that riff on the “mistaken” slogan, this Durex ad harnesses a localized linguistic pun to make its message both relevant and memorable. This agility in reacting to current buzz signals that the brand is in tune with Hong Kong’s social space, and the playful reworking of the slogan reinforces Durex’s core emphasis on protection and safety. Moreover, the tongue-in-cheek creativity naturally sparks public engagement, as Hongkongers love sharing and discussing puns or memes that touch on everyday language quirks. 

3. Durex "Performan"

In another campaign focused on a specific product called “Performan,” Durex zeroes in on performance and intimacy concerns. By centring the messaging on clear product benefits, the ad immediately addresses common worries around modern society and declining sexual satisfaction in a straightforward yet engaging manner. The tone is playful, featuring the brand’s signature humour, but it also puts viewers at ease about a sensitive subject.

Durex boosted the campaign with a multichannel approach, deploying videos across social media and television to reach a wide range of Hong Kong consumers. This broad coverage ensured the brand’s invitation to discuss sexual well-being didn’t get lost in a conservative market. By encouraging open dialogue and keeping the conversation tasteful, Durex successfully differentiated itself and fostered greater trust with its audience.

4. Hong Kong Durex Ads Featuring Iconic Canto Dish?

Durex ad campaigns have always combined playful messaging with cultural awareness to break taboos around condoms. On April 1, 2022, Durex Hong Kong used Instagram to debut a tongue-in-cheek April Fools campaign, featuring fictitious condom flavors inspired by traditional Cantonese cuisine. Departing from the usual fruit aromas, the lineup included braised eggplant in garlic sauce (魚香茄子), braised pork belly with preserved vegetables (梅菜扣肉), creamed corn with pork (玉米肉粒), and curry fish balls (咖喱魚蛋). Each post incorporated playful Cantonese expressions—like a pun in the “creamed corn with pork” slide that changed the character for “meat” to imply “sausage,” turning the phrase into a humorous fill-in-the-blank challenge.