MANHATTAN — A marketing stunt to drum up excitement for Trojan’s line of vibrators came to an anti-climactic end on Wednesday.
The city shut down the vibrator giveaway cart in the Flatiron district on Wednesday afternoon, citing permitting problems, Esther Walsh, a representative for Trojan, confirmed.
As a precaution, Trojan also opted to close the cart set up in the Financial District early on Wednesday while the company obtains the necessary permits, Walsh added.
Throughout the two-day promotional event, Trojan plans to give away up to 10,000 of the condom company’s vibrators, which come in two varieties: the "Vibrating Tri-Phoria" and "Vibrating Pulse intimate massager," according to the company.
A representative from the city said that all commercial promotional activity taking place in the street needs a street activity permit.
"This activity promoting Trojan products, which impeded pedestrian and street traffic, did not have a permit," she continued. "The production company affiliated with the event is currently in discussions with the Mayor's Office to hold a promotional event with proper permits at a later date."
Walsh could not immediately confirm how many vibrators were distributed on the first day of the giveaway, which used hot-dog style carts to disperse the sex toys throughout Manhattan.
A man working at the Wafels and Dinges food truck set up next to the Flatiron district cart said Trojan gave away vibrators for about a half hour before they were forced to close down.
“The line was just down the block,” said the worker, who declined to give his name. “It was incredible.”
The giveaway left many in Manhattan brimming with excitement and prompted long lines where trucks were set up.
When the Flatiron district spot, on Fifth Avenue between East 22nd and 23rd streets, closed down, the disappointment spilled over onto social media.
“Everyone in a sexual uproar at Madison square park bc the mayors office shut down #freevibratorgiveaway #trojan,” tweeted @jewyet1.
The good news, the Trojan rep said, is that the company plans to back out on the streets tomorrow, spreading more Trojan love throughout the city.
The locations are not set in stone, but according to a press release, the company plans to set up on Thursday at 17th Street and Broadway, and at Lafayatte Street, between Broome and Spring streets, starting at 4 p.m.
Trojan will also be on Third Avenue, between 33rd and 38th streets, and 10th Avenue and 14th Street at 7 p.m.
