Picture this: you’re rushing through a subway station, or strolling down a bustling city street, when suddenly, you’re face-to-face with a cactus. Not just any cactus, but one with a distinct… bulge. Welcome to the world of telehealth marketing, where phallic plants and cheeky ads have become the norm. Around 2018, companies like Hims (now known as Hims & Hers) and Roman (now Ro) started plastering their ads on walls and subway cars, promising to make erectile dysfunction “easy.” “Erectile dysfunction meds prescribed online, delivered to your ‘friend’s’ door,” read one ad, offering a discreet, convenient solution. These weren’t your average healthcare ads – they were created by agencies behind direct-to-consumer brands like Warby Parker and Harry’s, giving them a hip, modern edge. Back then, virtual doctor visits were a novelty. Now, telehealth is a booming part of the U.S. healthcare system, and a goldmine for pharmaceutical marketing. Today, scroll through your social media feed or watch a streaming service, and you’ll likely see ads for erectile dysfunction drugs, weight loss pills, hair loss treatments, acne solutions, birth control, and more. From phallic plants to targeted online ads, telehealth has become big pharma’s newest sales channel.



