World Hair marketing News

April 11 th Saturday
Expect more male cosmetics in Japan
Japan's cosmetics business is huge, but it's also mature, so manufacturers have been looking to grow by tapping new markets. Most evident is their ongoing reach into other parts of Asia, but some companies are taking advantage of underdeveloped opportunities at home too.
According to Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, while overall domestic cosmetics revenues have been down slightly in recent years, sales of men's skincare products were up 17% in 2008.
Pictured at left is UL・OS skincare lotion, a new brand that was launched by Otsuka Seiyaku last September.
At the moment, the UL・OS lineup includes two other products besides the skin lotion (skin milk and skin cream), but in a couple of weeks one more will join the fold: a water-based SPF 25 sunscreen.
In light of other industry stats, this makes sense. In '08, Japan's sun protection lotions and cosmetics markets also grew 12%.

USA : Shops & Salons to host world's largest Hair Art & Fashion Show
On July 22, Shops & Salons Network will host The World's Largest Hair Art and Fashion Show, at Reunion Arena. Thisevent will introduce a new hair styling technique and trend called Hair Art, which is the art of cutting or shaving symbols and other images into hair.
The rising popularity of Hair Art has attracted the Guinness World Records, which will be on site judging a competition for The Fastest Hair Art Hair Cut.
Companies large and small are beginning to use Hair Art to advertise their brands by shaving their logos into men's and women's hair, thus transforming them into walking, talking billboards. Mr. Ronnie Mac (Mr. Mac), producer of the event and owner of Shops and Salons NETWORK, is the leading practitioner of Hair Art and has coined the term "Company Cuts."
Interested companies have included Pepsi, Ford, Dairy Queen, FedEx, Albertson's, and Nike to name a few. As a leader in the new trend, The World's Largest Hair Art and Fashion Show will officially debut this trend in Dallas to expand local industry awareness and commercial adoption.
Producers are expecting a sellout crowd of 13 thousand to attend the show. The show is open to the public. Mr. Mac and his production company have planned an exciting event:• Approximately 50 local barbers and beauticians will showcase Hair Art advertising styles.• Individual hair stylists will compete for a $10k prize for The Best Company Hair Art Cut.• Guinness World Records will issue an award for The Fastest Hair Art Hair Cut.• Mr. Mac and his team of hair artists will demonstrate Hair Art design and cutting.• Producer will give away a Ford F-150 truck

Pro-Line introduces Barber Select, its first product line for black men
Alberto-Culver Company and the second largest manufacturer of ethnic beauty care products in the world, announces the launch of Pro-Line Barber Select, the company's very first complete hair care line for African-American men.
Pro-Line Barber Select was developed with recommendations from discriminating hair care professionals as well as with the feedback of real men with real hair issues and concerns. "We talked to men who told us they are now looking for targeted solutions for their hair and want to turn to one brand for all of their hair care needs," said Greg Johnson, Marketing Manager, Pro-Line International. "Those men also told us that their number one concern was dry-flaky scalp and products that cause build up. Pro-Line BarberSelect addresses these concerns." Pro-Line Barber Select offers a full range of products representing a complete regimen: cleansing, conditioning, styling and finish. It includes a 2-n-1 shampoo/conditioner, a light oil moisturizer, a hair and scalp conditioner, a wave and styling gel, a light pomade and an oil sheen finishing spray. It addresses a man's total hair care and maintenance needs for whatever style he may want to wear. There are also professional product offerings for barbershops and salons that include texturizers and a neutralizing shampoo. "The launch of Pro-Line Barber Select is one of the largest in our company's history," said Sheryl Adkins-Green, General Manager, Pro-Line International. "And it couldn't come at a better time as Pro-Line is celebrating a milestone of 35 years in the hair care industry." To create excitement about the launch of Barber Select, Pro-Line has planned the "Barber Blitz," which will acquaint barbers in the largest African-American markets with the product. In addition, the company has planned The Pro-Line Barber Select "Twisted & Faded Tour" which is a national tour in a "tricked-out" mobile unit that doubles as barbershop on wheels, complete with a DJ and two turn tables. The unit will make stops at some of the hottest and most exciting venues throughout the country, like the Bayou Classic and the NBA All Star Game to excite consumers and create a buzz about the new product line.
The company has tentatively scheduled nine stops for the tour. Targeted cities currently include Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, NYC, Chicago, Detroit, DC, and Baltimore at retail locations, barbershops, college campuses and key events within these markets