20 People Freaked Out by Spotify’s Holiday Condom Ads

Advertisements for Trojan condoms on Spotify are making some listeners feel really, really uncomfortable this holiday season.

People who use Spotify for free -- and not the music-streaming service's paid, ad-free versions -- are occasionally hearing the voice ads, which feature such phrases as "orgasmic pleasure" and "stimulating condoms." A man with a deep voice repeatedly says, "Trojan Man!"

During work, I heard one of the Trojan ads sandwiched between Taylor Swift's "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" and Maroon 5's "One More Night." Other listeners, however, heard the condom ads while listening to Christmas or religious music at home with relatives.

Graham James, Spotify's head of U.S. communications, told Mashable the frequency of the ads, which also play on terrestrial radio, "was reduced over the holidays and they only run for 18+ free tier users."

But that didn't stop disgusted users from taking to Twitter to vent about the unexpected ads:

Hey @spotify, thanks for running those gross trojan commercials. I enjoyed having to explain what "orgasmic" means to my 4 years old.

— RJ Owen™ (@rjowen) December 25, 2012

I love when my worship playlist is interrupted by a Trojan condoms ad on @spotify. As far as targeted advertising goes I'd call that a fail.

— Meghan Morris (@MeghanEMorris) December 26, 2012

Hey Trojan and Spotify, it's really uncomfortable to hear ads for condoms with vibrating pleasure rings while listening to Christmas music.

— Corey J. Phillips (@soulofayoungman) December 24, 2012

If you're using Spotify free at your holiday family gathering, do keep in mind that they're running a lot of Trojan ads right now.

— Ludwig Kietzmann (@LudwigK) December 25, 2012

These @spotify Trojan condom commercials are ruining Christmas.

— T. Kyle MacMahon (@tkylemac) December 26, 2012

Thanks @spotify, my toddler really enjoyed that Trojan commercial in the middle of "Christmas with Willie Nelson."

— Eatin' Sandwiches (@EatinSandwiches) December 26, 2012

Spotify really put a damper on my parent's Christmas party when it started playing commercials for Trojan. #churchfamily #sorryguys

— Taylor Swayze (@TaylorSwayze) December 25, 2012

Listening to the Pitch Perfect soundtrack on Spotify then a Trojan commercial comes on. #HelloAwkward #TripleTestedForQuality

— Alexis Hill (@alexisgracehill) December 26, 2012

That awkward moment when a Trojan commercial decided to play on your spotify at full volume right as your dad walks into your room.

— Jordan Jimenez (@jcjimenez_16) December 26, 2012

Spotify figured out a way to make me want to pay for premium: Run Trojan Man ads between the Xmas songs I'm listening to with my kid sister.

— cass (@casschin) December 23, 2012

Dear @spotify , I listen to you at work w/o headphones to share with my office mates. I don't mind ads, but "Trojan" condom ads? haha #nsfw

— Emily Doti (@AgntOrange) December 26, 2012

I'm starting to get a little weirded-out by all the Trojan condom commercials on Spotify. #yourcondomisnotmusical

— Brian Long (@girbeagly) December 26, 2012

hey spotify if you could not play trojan condom ads when my mom walked in my room that would be nice too

— annie (@anniefslewis) December 26, 2012

Spotify - can you stop playing Trojan ads? I'm at my parents house. That is awkward.

— lindsey? (@lillestardust) December 26, 2012

When Spotify is connected to my Bluetooth speakers and a Trojan condom commercial comes on, blasting through the house ... <<<<<

— Michael Basil Cosmos (@cosm0sis) December 26, 2012

Listening to spotify radio with the parents when wild Trojan ecstasy condom commercial appears.. #awk

— Nico Sluyter-Beltrao (@NicoBrasileiro) December 24, 2012

my mom keeps walking into my roomwhile these trojan commercials are playing on @spotify.lol

— Aliya Lewis (@tht_1grl) December 26, 2012

thanks for the music spotify but i'm trying to avoid any inquiries from my fam about my nonexistent love life. trojan condom ads do not help

— ellieledwards (@ellieledwards) December 25, 2012

@spotify Hey guys... awkward moment here. Listening to big band with my parents and grandmother and a Trojan ad comes up... #uhhh #whatdoido

— Chris Burk (@burk992) December 26, 2012

Thank you @spotify. Thanks to your condom ads, I have to explain to my 3 year old why she can't go around chanting "Trojan Man!"

— Javier Leiva (@ponhiki) December 26, 2012

A lively Reddit thread also addresses the ads, with one user saying, "I would be pissed as hell if this commercial came on when I was listening to Christmas music with the family."

Is it an advertising fail? Or just the price for using a free service? Let us know in the comments.

Image via Spotify