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FORT WORTH, TX (PRWEB) May 24, 2003 -- The Johnny-Light™, An
innovative young product, is gaining national and international
attention as a popular, thoughtful item for newlyweds by promising
to “light the way to marital bliss and family harmony” while
improving gender respect, hygiene, personal safety and
goodwill.
When the commode seat is lifted, an
eco-friendly rocker switch and batteries activate the patented
Johnny-Light. The soft green glow in the bowl was originally
intended as a gentle reminder to males to “put the seat down.” It
also avoids glaring lights that wake significant others, is easy on
sleepy eyes and prevents unexpected ‘splashdowns’ that outrage and
injure women by subtly warning, “Look out
below!”
Co-inventor Bill Bradford,
VP-Marketing for RBJ Mfg., Inc. of Burleson, TX, concedes home
improvement and lighting stores are not typically the first stop
when shopping favors for the wedding party or clever-but-practical
gifts for bridal and man showers, bachelor parties and new
household. “But that is where most of the first 50,000 have been
sold,” says the former nuclear power plant engineer.
In Store,
Online, By Phone
The Johnny-Light is now
available in more than 650 Lowe’s Home Improvement stores, as well
as lighting stores coast to coast. Even the upscale Wishbone in San
Francisco carries the item, which has been featured in numerous
bridal magazines, including Modern
Bride.
The device, priced in stores at
$10 - $13 with batteries, is easily installed (no tools) and can
“light the way to harmony” for six months or more on a set of
batteries, according to RBJ’s testing The Johnny-Light can be
ordered by phone, 888-566-LITE (5483) or at www.johnny-light.com for
$12.45 including shipping (U.S. only).
The device, which fits 94% of the toilet seats in U.S. households,
tucks in a sanitary position, “out of harm’s way” from splashing and
contamination. For commodes with a molded-in hinge connection,
VelcroÒ solves the installation.
Battle of the Sexes . . . Seat
up/Seat Down
“The seat-up/seat down debate has raged in
households – new and established -- as long as toilets have
existed,” Bradford politely explains “Potty politics has been a
subject for poets, fodder for advice columnists and even lyrics for
songwriters.”
Nationally syndicated singer/comedienne Kacey
Jones of Nashville, TN (www.kaceyjones.com) recorded “Put the Seat
Back Down” a few years ago and has given away hundreds of
Johnny-Lights at various performances. Part of the lyrics, used by
permission, plead:
But if you wanna know what makes my heart
pound,
I really like a man who puts the seat back down.
Now
all you guys, hey, what’s the fuss?
It’s a little thing to you,
but it’s everything
to
us.
“Initially, many of our sales occurred
around Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and birthdays,” Bradford said.
“The gadget also has proven to be a popular stocking stuffer at
Christmas, as well as an occasional gift for baby showers, since
customers have written that the Johnny-Light is a great aid for
potty training young boys, typically slow to adopt the good
habit.
“Now it regularly shows up at
bachelor parties, wedding showers and housewarmings,” he noted.
“Sure, it initially elicits laughs, and that’s fine. But once in
use, the Johnny-Light emphasizes the sensitivity and thoughtfulness
of the giver,” he added.
“Gift
consultants, who provide ideas for favors on ways a bride and groom
can show their appreciation to the wedding party, will be the first
to point out that you can’t monogram or engrave it,” Bradford
concedes with a sly smile. “But I guarantee it will be the most
unforgettable gift received by the groomsmen, bridesmaids, ushers,
parents or minister.”
The Johnny-Light
has been featured by Glamour Magazine, by periodicals in England and
Sweden, and by dozens of radio stations as far away as Canada, which
have given away Johnny-Lights to women who called in with the best
“splashdown story.”
“Whether it is a
blushing bride, a significant other or a spouse of many years, I
think any boyfriend, spouse or individual who installs one will win
instant favor from his or her loved one,” Bradford emphasizes. “It
says, ‘I respect you.’ Besides, it’s a lot less expensive than a
marriage counselor!”
NOTE TO EDITORS: For a large format, 300
dpsi, high-resolution digital image of a Johnny-Light, click on: http://prn.newscom.com/cgi-bin/pub/s?f=PRN/prnpub&p1=20011009-NYFNSR17&xtag=PRN-prnphotos-20098&redir=preview&tr=1&row=1
FOR
MORE INFORMATION, INTERVIEWS OR A REVIEW SAMPLE (Editors only,
please):
Bill Bradford, RBJ Mfg., 1-888-566-5483, rbjmfg@flash.net,
or
Preston Kirk, Kirk Public Relations, 972-693-4447, kirk@281.com
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