APRIL 24 • APRIL 26 • MAY 6
METRO DETROIT
overturning it.
What's more, Plutonium is the
only American-made aerosol paint
designed for professional artists.
Per Plutonium's advertising, it's
"Made in the USA. Born and raised
in Detroit."
"Detroit needs all the export
business we can get," Barry said.
Rebranding Plutonium
Meredith moved from New York City
to Royal Oak in April 2011, as she
and Barry were prepping Plutonium
for its January 2012 launch. Meredith
employed her art savior-faire in
honing the available color palette,
designing marketing materials, and
reaching out to street artists and
high-profile muralists.
Barry's 40-plus years in business
came in handy in instituting quality
control for production, revamping
distribution, getting approval
through HAZMAT — required
because it's an aerosol — and
expanding Plutonium's market to
interior designers and home owners.
The Fleischers chose a Milwaukee
factory familiar with automotive
acrylics to manufacture Plutonium, a
strategic move that will enable the
company to add thousands of colors
— for example, interior decorators'
custom palettes — to the 40
currently offered.
With just a few months on the
market, Plutonium is generating a
buzz among U.S. and international
artists. "People love it," Meredith
said.
Gilda Snowden, a professor in
the College for Creative Studies fine
arts department, commented on the
product's coverage on Plutonium's
website. "One of the students and
I sprayed it on some paper. We saw
how thick and rich the color was
and that it didn't run. Wow!"
Plutonium is available at national
hardware and art supply franchises
like True Value and Jerry's Artarama,
as well as independent stores
like Detroit Hardware Co., with a
suggested retail price of $12.99 per
can.
With confidence in both the
artist and do-it-yourself markets
for Plutonium, the Fleischers
are targeting $1 to $2 million in
sales this year, with the product
in 500 stores across the country.
Plutonium's three-year sales goal,
Barry said, is $6 million.
At the helm of Plutonium's
marketing and artist resources,
Meredith says she sometimes misses
the fashion world but is enjoying
reaching out to myriad artists and
looks forward to "finding talent that
is both emerging as well as those at
the top of their game."
She would also like to find a path
toward legal street art in Detroit,
versus graffiti. "There is a way to
beautify the city through real street
art," she said. "I think we have
endless ideas and opportunities with
this product."
Meredith says she feels lucky to
have a father who not only instilled in
her a strong work ethic, but a strong
sense of family. "I don't know many
people who have this opportunity.
This isn't just a job. This is a family
business." ❑
Young Leaders Sought
For NEXTGen Board
A
re you a young Jewish
professional looking
to be involved in the
community? NEXTGen
Detroit, a department of the Jewish
Federation of Metropolitan Detroit,
is now accepting nominations for
board members.
This first year of NEXTGen
Detroit is designed to be
a transition year where all
board members will have the
opportunity to be visionary,
strategic and shape the future
of the department, which will
focus on building a vibrant
Jewish community and attracting,
engaging and retaining the next
generation of Jewish Detroiters.
Board members will be
responsible for shaping the
future of NEXTGen Detroit,
attending and participating in
board and task force meetings,
supporting the Annual Campaign
and other activities of the
Jewish Federation, acting as
ambassadors for NEXTGen and
the Jewish Federation as well as
being visionary and challenging
the status quo.
Applications are being
accepted for a one-year
term from June 2012-June
2013. To apply, log on to
www.myjewishdetroit.
org/NextGen/pdf/
NEXTGenBoardNominationForm-
final.pdf to submit your
application. All forms must be
submitted by Friday, April 20. If
you have any questions, email
Jessica Goodwin at goodwin@
jfmd.org .
Take Part.Take Pride.
Thesday, April 24
YOM
HAZIKARON
Memorial Ceremony
7:00 p.m.
(No charge)
Alloy to Remember
Israel's
Fallen Sokliers
The Berman Center for the
Performing Arts
6600 w. Maple Road
West Bloomfield
For information,
contact Gina at 248-642-1643
Thursday, April 26
YOM
HSATZMAUT
CELEBRATION
Israel Independence Day
5:00 p.m. - Doors Open
6:00 p.m. - Concert
YEHUDA!
7:45 p.m. - Dinner
For information, contact
Jeff at 248-386-1625, ext. 228
Akiva Hebrew Day School
Fee for program
Jewish
Federation
METROPOUTAN DEERC4T
IIMINYRUNIE
r1 1447
..
'
Sunday, May 6
WALK FOR ISRAEL
Come Celebrate Israel!
10 am. - Program
12 Noon
Kosher Lunch
For information,
contact Andre at
248-737-8700
(No charge)
1:00 p.m. - Walk begins
www.walliforisrael.org
Temple Shin Shalom
1746580
April 12 • 2012
25