# Swine Flu Parodies Aussie Company Unit Riders Embraces ‘The Age of Panic' By Toby Lynch | Published 2009-05-20 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/swine-flu-parodies References: [goldcoast.au](http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2009/05/15/78865_gossip-news.html) & [unitonlinestore](http://www.unitonlinestore.com/shop/newproducts/productcategory_120/886/index.htm) Progressive [action sports apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/engineered-for-whatever) company Unit Riders has made a series of [swine flu parodies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thoughts-prayers-toilet-paper) to what they are calling ‘The Age of Panic.’ They have produced a range of flat face masks and respirators to protect against the spread of swine flu. Never ones to back down from stark visuals, the swine flu masks and respirators are dramatically modeled by bronzed Australian models in cold storage areas with pig carcasses hanging in the background. The company’s director, Paul Everest, mentioned that the move towards such items was necessary in this day and age of panic. “2009 has seen us truly enter ‘The Age of Panic,’” says Everest. “Our range is influenced by our surroundings and society’s progression – face masks and respirators are the next logical step,” he continues. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.3/10 - Popularity: 97% | Activity: 85% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 10% men, 90% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/branding) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Dramatic Protective Gear:** Opportunity for companies to create visually striking and fashionable face masks and respirators to meet the growing demand for protective gear. - **Parody Marketing:** Companies can leverage humor and satire to create engaging and impactful marketing campaigns during times of panic and crisis. - **Crisis-inspired Fashion:** Fashion brands can design clothing and accessories inspired by societal fears and anxieties, tapping into the market's desire for products that reflect contemporary concerns. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Fashion and Apparel:** Fashion brands can seize the opportunity to design and produce stylish and fashionable protective gear inspired by current crises. - **Marketing and Advertising:** Marketing agencies can help companies create attention-grabbing parody campaigns that connect with consumers during times of panic and uncertainty. - **Healthcare and Safety:** The demand for face masks and respirators presents a growth opportunity for healthcare and safety equipment manufacturers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Climate-Positive Outdoor Apparel](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/askov-finlayson-1.md) - [Customizable Style Face Masks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rpur-fiit.md) - [Aerodynamic Filtration Face Masks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/goa-face-protector.md) - [Quirky Spoof Collectibles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fight-teeth.md) - [Lens-Cleaning Apparel Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/microfiber-collection.md) - [Air-Blowing Face Masks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-mask.md) - [Drug-Themed April Fool's Gags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/innocean-berlin.md) - [Connected Emotive Face Masks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/w3e-mask-expressive-emotion.md) - [Copper-Infused Face Masks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aebl-epion.md)