Since its inception, Brite-Strike Tactical Illumination Products, Inc. (BSTI.PK) has relied on trade shows and word of mouth to sell its self-defense flashlights to law enforcement personnel; however, Brite-Strike has recently begun a national advertising campaign designed to introduce the company and its products to everyday citizens.
Brite-Strike was founded by two patrol officers who felt tactical flashlights could be improved. Glenn Bushee and Jon Neal worked in a garage and soon created their first prototype. The company now has a Tactical Blue-Dot Series of products specifically designed for law enforcement or military use. The company also has a Protector Series of products designed for citizens who want a personal self-defense device. The waterproof, shockproof devices emit a bright light that can temporarily disorient an attacker.
Less than a month ago, Brite-Strike completed a reverse merger that allowed it to transition into a publicly traded company. John Lennon, VP of Finance at Brite-Strike, said the funds for the almost-$500,000 ad campaign were allocated as part of the company’s new capital structure.
The start of the ad campaign follows a report that Brite-Strike had reached an agreement with BJ’s Wholesale Club to sell the Lightning Strike. The agreement states that the Lightning Strike, a self-defense flashlight designed for everyday citizens, will be sold at 28 BJ’s stores located in 16 Eastern states and on the BJ’s website. Additionally, Brite-Strike has started selling its products to the general public on Amazon.com and Lowes.com. According to Bushee, “Our goal is to bring personal safety into the hands of ordinary citizens.”
The national ad campaign started with a splash on August 13 with a full-page ad that ran in 95% of USA Today’s newspapers. The campaign will continue through October 31 with 30- and 60-second cable television ads on CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News. According to Bushee, who is also the president of Brite-Strike, the campaign was scheduled to coincide with the beginning of the school year.
“Back-to-college is a critical market segment for us,” stated Bushee. “We’re hoping to catch some back-to-school business with the Lightning Strike series, allowing us to capture some additional business in the fourth quarter.”
Let us hear your thoughts: Brite Strike Tactical Illumination Products, Inc. Message Board