Raid (insecticide)

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Raid Ant & Roach spray
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Raid Ant & Roach spray

Raid is the brand name of a line of insecticides produced by SC Johnson, first launched in 1956.

The initial active ingredient was the first synthetic pyrethroid, allethrin. Raid derivatives aimed at particular invertebrate species can contain other active agents such as the more toxic cyfluthrin, another synthetic pyrethroid.

A frame from a US animated TV commercial for Raid Outdoor Ant Spikes
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A frame from a US animated TV commercial for Raid Outdoor Ant Spikes

[edit] "Kills Bugs Dead" slogan

The product's advertising tagline, "Raid Kills Bugs Dead", was created by advertising agency Foote Cone & Belding. The line was first used in commerce in 1966 and was trademarked in 1986. Legendary animation director Tex Avery was the producer of the first "Kills Bugs Dead" commercials. Artist Don Pegler developed the bug characters used in the US and continued animating them for forty years.

The slogan has been part of a successful, long-running advertising campaign. Conjuring up images of an Eliot Ness-style raid on an illegal bar during Prohibition, the television spots have featured the cartoon bugs plotting some silly scheme like invading a kitchen, only to be foiled by the magical appearance of the product which swiftly dispatched the bugs to various giddily horrible deaths. The bugs would scream, "RAAAIIIID!" and then a huge cartoon-style explosion would occur.


[edit] External link

          S. C. Johnson & Son
Dr. Herbert Fisk Johnson III, Chairman & CEO
Past CEOs and Presidents: Samuel Curtis Johnson, Sr., founder • Herbert Fisk Johnson, Sr.Herbert Fisk Johnson, Jr.Samuel Curtis Johnson, Jr.
Brand Names and Products
Household cleaning and scent products: DrānofantastikGlade • Grab-it • Mr. Muscle • Oust • Pledge • Scrubbing Bubbles • Shout • Toilet DuckVanishWindex • Bayfresh
Household food storage: Saran WrapZiploc
Personal care: Edge • Skintimate
Household pest control: OFF!Raid • Baygon
Car care: Tempo • Skintimate
Annual Sales: $6.5 billion USD (FY 2005) | Employees: 12000 | Stock Symbol: Privately Held | Website: www.scjohnson.com
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