A Spongeworthy PR Campaign

Today Sponge

FDA Approves the Return of the Today® Sponge

April 22, 2005 -- After an 11-year hiatus, the Today® Sponge, once the most popular over-the-counter female contraceptive, has won re-approval for marketing from the Food and Drug Administration. From 1983 to 1994, when the Today® Sponge was previously available in the U.S., more than 250 million Sponges were sold. Allendale Pharmaceuticals plans to begin U.S. production immediately, and will begin national product distribution in summer

Despite its absence from store shelves for the past decade, the Today® Sponge still enjoys strong customer demand. “Daily calls and e-mails from women confirm that there is still a great need for the Today® Sponge,” said Gene Detroyer, President and CEO of Allendale Pharmaceuticals. “Women who cannot tolerate hormonal contraceptives or choose not to use them are particularly pleased by the return of the Sponge.”

Consumers wishing to track availability should email Allendale at questions@todaysponge.com.

Birdparty wrote:

Dear Sponge Manufacturers:

I read with great interest today's press release on the re-approval by the FDA of the Sponge. Though I am too young to have used the Sponge in its first run, I have seen many times the episode of "Seinfeld" where Elaine stocks up.

My regular birth control methods have failed me several times and I have the scarred uterus to prove it. I am excited to try out the sponge with my boyfriend Bob. He hopes to be a non-homosexual Sponge Bob. We are in a monogomous relationship together and share the same uncurable sexually transmitted diseases.

Where can I purchase the sponge in my area?

Thank you for your fine work,
Ms. Birdparty


The Sponge Savior

Gene Detroyer wrote:

Ms. Birdparty,
Now that we have FDA approval to sell the Sponge in the U.S. we must start building inventory to service what is clearly an incredible demand.

We expect to have it available on line at our site in 60 to 90-days. It should be available at chain drug stores in 4 to 5 months. Retail pricing should be about $2.50 to $3.00 per sponge, depending on the retailer.

I am adding you to our "Friends" list so that we keep you up to date on availability. If you know anyone else who might be interested, please tell them to email me at questions@todaysponge.com and telling me to put them on the "Friends" list. Those on the list will be the first to know when and how to get sponges.

Gene
Gene Detroyer
President & CEO
Allendale Pharmaceuticals, Inc.


Paul Moniz: Spreading the sponge word

Paul Moniz wrote:

Hi Ms. Birdparty:

I am contacting you on behalf of Allendale Pharmaceuticals, Inc, maker of the Today Sponge. Could you send me a phone number where you could reached. We'd like to speak to you about a media story we're helping Allendale with. Widmeyer is the official public relations agency that works with Allendale on the Sponge. Thanks.

Best,
Paul

Paul Moniz
Senior Counsel
Widmeyer Communications

Birdparty wrote:

Dear Mr. Moniz: I was so excited to get your email I printed it out and showed it to my boss! She agrees, The Sponge is the best. Unfortunately, I currently have a very sore throat and open sores all over my mouth and throat so I am forced to refrain from talking. Could we perhaps conduct this interview via e-mail or instant messenger?

Paul Moniz wrote:

Hope you feel better. Here's what I'd like to know. A television station is interested in interviewing former Sponge users or those interested in using the Sponge for medical reasons, i.e. they can't take hormones, or have conditions that makes other forms of birth control out of the question like cancer.

They would first be interested in speaking to you by phone. They would then consider interviewing you on camera. This is a news segment, not a commercial. You will not be compensated. However, Allendale would greatly appreciate your help.

Let me know if you'd be interested. Also, I'll need to have contact information (day and after hours) so the reporter/producer from the TV station can call you.

One final request, I noticed from your original email that you fit into this category (re:health issues.) If you could again briefly summarize why you want to use the Sponge, how old you are, and your marital status -- in an email back to me, that would be helpful. Thanks again. Look forward to hearing from you.

Best,
Paul

Paul Moniz
Senior Counsel
Widmeyer Communications

Birdparty wrote:

Hi Paul --

Thank you for your concern about my sore throat. I think it may be clearing up already, but the sores appear to be here to stay.

I have never used the Sponge, as I was sexually active but did not engage in safe sex before it was pulled off the market. I want to start using the Sponge now for a mix of personal and medical reasons. My husband and I do not use condoms, as we are in a monogamous relationship and share the same incurable sexually transmitted diseases, herpes among them. We prefer the authentic feeling of sex without a latex barrier between us, but at the same time must avoid pregnancy at all costs. While Valtrex does its part, I cannot risk giving birth to a child during an outbreak, for if my open sores touch its precious little skin, the baby would be infected with herpes for life. I have used the pill before, but it causes me to bloat up to unbelievable proportions, resulting in my husband losing interest in sex, which defeats the entire purpose of taking the pill in the first place. So as you can see, the Sponge is really my only option. I cannot wait for the Sponge to debut on the domestic market.

Given my immense enthusiasm for the Sponge's re-release, I would be more than happy to talk to any local television station about it. But given the possibilities with the miracle known as the Today Sponge, I would frankly prefer national or even international news outlets.

Thank you.

Paul Moniz wrote:

Thanks for the frank reply.

Can you tell me how old you are and also how I can reach you by phone during the day and evening. I will not give out any contact information to reporters without your approval. Thanks.

Birdparty wrote:

I am 16.

Birdparty wrote:

Paul, It's been days and I haven't heard from you in sometime and I was wondering if you are still interested in using me for this TV thing.

Paul Moniz wrote:

The television station decided to go in a different direction with their story on the Sponge. We will keep you in mind for future stories. Thanks again for your willingness to help.

Birdparty wrote:

Mr. Moniz:

I am sad they took it in a different direction. Which direction was it? Has it aired yet? If not, I'd like to catch it. Which of the local TV stations is it on?

Are you the same Paul Moniz of WCBS? I used to live in New York and I was a big fan of your work especially with yeastinfectionresource.com. It changed my life.

Your commitment to women's health is truly touching, to think that a man is so understanding of all that women have to go through, vaginally and otherwise. It almost brings a tear to my eye, and I'm not even having an outbreak. You are a true pioneer, a hero, even a demigod.