SPRAYTechnology & Marketing Commentary Ava Caridad, Editorial Director Our Hero Superheroes are everywhere you look; there is a plethora of TV shows, movie franchises, cartoons, television commercials and print ads that depict the lives and loves of superheroes. Unlike the good old 20th century, where superheroes saved the day and disappeared to their boring publishing or government jobs, we now have to see them at home, warts and all, dealing with relationship problems and struggling with their personal human conditions. As if I didn’t have my own problems. My home is a hotbed of discussion about superheroes, often one-sided. My “astral partner,” as he likes to be referred to, will talk for hours on the phone with his brother about the latest superhero film or TV show. When he tries to bring it to the dinner table, I am a good sport. I say positive things about passé characters from my childhood, like “The Mighty Isis” (who was way cooler than “Wonder Woman”) or how Adam West is the definitive “Batman.” I truly have no clue and after ten minutes, lose my patience and steer the conversation away to something interesting, like what the dog did today. As Tina Turner reminds us, “We don’t need another hero…” Or maybe we had one all along, under the sink. On page 18 of this issue, we take a look at how the aerosol industry, across the supply chain, is reacting to and preparing for increased demand of insect repellents/insecticides because of the Zika Virus crisis. In a phone interview with Ryun Bibro of IKI, he said, “It’s not often that aerosols get to be the hero” and it gave me pause for thought. Our industry spends a lot of resources combating negative press and consumer perception, but we need occasional reminding that whenever disaster hits—quite literally the proverbial pestilence, plague, flood and freak storm—it is an aerosol product that often comes to the rescue in the form of disinfectant, cleaners and bug sprays of all description. Why? Because aerosols are compact, easy to carry and efficacious. They minimize waste and can be applied without contact, protecting users from mess, germs and with a minimum of pain to wounds and burns. Multiple users can hygienically share aerosol personal care products, which is critical after a disaster. The cans are hermetically sealed, which has a double bonus: their contents cannot leak or spill, while at the same time they are tamper-resistant to prevent product contamination. It all comes full circle—aerosols were developed during WWII to help combat insects in the jungles of the South Pacific; more than 70 years later, aerosol products are still battling bugs and saving lives. Not always flashy, not always glamorous, but always there, doing the job. 6 Spray April 2016 Cynthia Hundley Publisher chundley@spraytm.com Ava Caridad Editorial Director acaridad@spraytm.com Christen Harm Assistant Editor charm@spraytm.com Montfort A. Johnsen Technical Editor montyjohnsen@att.net Susan Carver Vice President, Administration scarver@spraytm.com Doug Bacile National Sales Manager dbacile@spraytm.com Donald Farrell Production production@spraytm.com Joy Cunningham Reader Service Coordinator readerservice@spraytm.com Circulation circulation@spraytm.com Member: CAPCO Volume 26, No. 4 April, 2016 Industry Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. No part may be reprinted without written permission from the Publisher. Spray Technology & Marketing (ISSN No.1055-2340) is published monthly by Industry Publications, Inc. Correspondence for editorial, advertising and circulation to: 3621 Hill Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054 Phone: 973-331-9545 • Fax: 973-331-9547 Subscription inquiries: circulation@spraytm.com Internet: spraytm.com, twitter.com/SprayTechnology Periodical postage paid at Parsippany, NJ and at additional mailing office. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Spray Technology & Marketing, 3621 Hill Road, Parsippany, NJ 07054. Subscription rates: U.S. 1-year $50.00; Canada & Mexico 1-year $60.00. Airmail Rates to foreign countries: $130.00/yr. Single copies of current issues: $12.00. Directory Issue (Buyers Guide) $27.00 (includes shipping). Missing issues: Claims for missing issues must be made within three months of the date of the issue. Printed in the U.S.A. Industry Publications, Inc. also publishes Indoor Comfort Marketing The opinions expressed in this publication are not intended to be, nor should they be interpreted as, a replacement for professional, legal advice. Editorial Director
Spray April 2016
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