Shake n' Vac: A New Product Launch

Launch of a new powder carpet and room freshener. Sold in 1979, but advertising delayed to 1980 by ITV strike.
Agency: Benton & BowlesAuthors: Hilary Rose, Mike Stefan and Carol Reay

Shake n' Vac: a New Product Launch

BACKGROUND

During the course of 1979, Johnson Wax Ltd developed a product that was entirely new to the UK market - a carpet and room freshener.

In essence, the product is a powder which is sprinkled on to the carpet prior to vacuuming. The powder deodorises the carpet, overcoming odour sources within the carpet, giving both the carpet and the room a pleasant smell. Vacuuming then removes all the white powder that is visible, leaving a fresh, clean...

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