Hot Octopuss has been encouraging Australians to register their orgasms, in order to help spread the word about the benefits of regular masturbation as part of a healthy wellness routine. Dubbed ‘One Big W*nk’, the masturbation awareness campaign was conceived by brand comms agency Manifest Group, and resulted in over 80,000 registrations.
Supported by comedian Alex Williamson whose videos accrued more than 200,000 views, as well as featuring repeat cameos by Australia’s Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, participants accrued points for each time they registered their special moment. While many may have thought Canberra would take out first place, Melbourne came out on top with 24,961 incidents. Brisbane was a close second with 20,502, and Sydney lagged behind at 16,082.
“Given what’s transpired in recent weeks in politics, it’s clear that the Australian federal government is struggling with sex education, how to teach consent and is confused about the difference between milkshakes and masturbation,” says Hot Octopuss’ co-founder and COO Julia Margo. “While there is clearly a time and a place and a right and wrong way to go about it, normalising conversations about a healthy relationship with sex and masturbation through straight-talking campaigns like One Big W*nk is what the nation needs right now, not comparisons to pizza, tacos, and borrowing leggings.”
Throughout March and April, people could nominate one another, and masturbation hotspots were highlighted on the ‘beat map’ with users being able to choose between registering anonymously or by name. Climaxing with the world’s first ever synchronised orgasm on April 9th hosted by Manifest Melbourne’s creative director Jessie Bowers, one lucky participant from Sydney was crowned Australia’s Biggest W*nker, taking home a grand prize of a year’s supply of sex toys to upgrade their orgasm routine.
“There are so many pros to regular orgasm like its antidepressant and immune-boosting — not to mention it can drastically reduce the chances for men of developing prostate cancer later in life,” said Manifest Melbourne’s co-founder and MD Isabel Thomson-Officer. “Sadly, the shame surrounding it means its beneficial qualities often get overshadowed. It’s empowering to see so many Australians get behind One Big W*nk and Hot Octopuss’ war on stigma in our first official campaign for the brand in the region.”
