Events in the Industry, Benefits and Awards

Pureology Continues Support for National Ovarian Cancer Coalition

Throughout 2009, Pureology will continue its support of ovarian cancer research and awareness as the exclusive haircare and styling Premier Sponsor of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC). Pureology will be on location at each NOCC Walk to Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer taking place across the country this summer and fall. Along with sponsoring the 19 walks, Pureology is encouraging salons and stylists to get involved in the cause in other ways. Ideas include virtual walk teams, where stylists raise money and then wear walk T-shirts or dress in teal on the day of their local walk to show support; donating tips the day of the local walk and allowing clients to contribute; having salon owners match employees' gifts to NOCC; and having a NOCC day, week or month and giving a percentage of profits from the sale of either Pureology products or special service packages to NOCC. For more fundraising ideas, or to find a walk near you, visit pureology.com. —L.M.



Sexy Hair Names Karl-Heinz Pitsch as New President and CEO

Sexy Hair recently announced the promotion of Karl-Heinz Pitsch to president and CEO. Pitsch is a beauty industry veteran, having held positions at Bumble and bumble and Wella before joining Sexy Hair as chief operating officer in November 2008. "Sexy Hair is an amazingly strong brand, loved by stylists and consumers, and it has a great distribution base," Pitsch said. "We will capitalize on those assets and continue to invest in the technical and emotional relevance of our brand."

KARL-HEINZ PITSCH
KARL-HEINZ PITSCH

Pitsch will take over for Jim Morrison, who will retain his position as director of Sexy Hair and will also become vice chairman of parent company Luxe Beauty Holdings. "This change will enable Sexy Hair to continue on the same growth track that we've been on while affording me the luxury of looking for other ways to increase the company's growth," said Morrison, who will act as an advisor to Pitsch. —L.M.

Matrix Brings Back the Vavoom Style Remix Tour

Matrix brought education and style together for the Vavoom Style Remix Tour and the launch of the new Vavoom Design Pulse styling line. The four-city educational tour opened in March in Philadelphia, followed by stops in Cleveland, Los Angeles and Dallas. The sold-out tour featured Vavoom Artistic Director Ammon Carver and Matrix Artistic Designer Nick Stenson, who led more than 1,000 Matrix C.R.A.F.T. Rewards stylists through eight new hands-on Style Remix techniques using the new Design Pulse line. A Styling Contest was also held, featuring four stylists from the audience who styled mannequins on stage that were judged by Carver and Stenson. The grand-prize winner from each city received a $100 iTunes gift card. —N.P.



JPMS and Paul Mitchell Schools Host Symposium

John Paul Mitchell Systems and Paul Mitchell Schools hosted the Paul Mitchell 2009 Caper event at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas in February. During the two-day event, more than 1,800 attendees, including Future Professionals and Paul Mitchell School owners, enjoyed stage shows and hands-on sessions on cut, color and styling featuring the Paul Mitchell Artistic Team and Paul Mitchell Advanced Academy team members. The event celebrated the attendees' dedication to hairdressing and their diligence in selling Paul Mitchell products. "Our Paul Mitchell Future Professionals are passionate, committed, hungry and loyal," said Brennan Claybaugh, director of education for Paul Mitchell Schools and Advanced Academy. "What an exciting vision for the future." —N.P.



Eva Scrivo Becomes New Wella Spokesperson

Wella Professionals has announced celebrity colorist and stylist Eva Scrivo as its newest spokesperson. "We have been extremely impressed with Eva's involvement at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York City as lead colorist for Wella and look forward to working with an artist who is so clearly creative and passionate about our brand," said Mary Moulton, Wella Professionals franchise owner. Scrivo owns two successful salons in New York City and is often called upon as a beauty expert by television shows and top magazines. She also hosts the popular Sirius Satellite Radio show Beauty Talk With Eva Scrivo. "I'm thrilled to join Wella Professionals, which is at the forefront of innovation and education in haircolor," she said. "I look forward to working with them to inspire and educate colorists around the world, design new coloring techniques, develop new products and collaborate with partners such as clothing designers for Fashion Week. I'm excited for this opportunity to redefine this artistic craft with a partner like Wella." —L.M.

EVA SCRIVO
EVA SCRIVO

New Faces, New Bases

John Paul Mitchell Systems (JPMS) named Heather Hutchens vice president of strategic planning. In this newly created position, Hutchens will be responsible for the development, implementation and guidance of strategies to generate growth for the company.

HEATHER HUTCHENS
HEATHER HUTCHENS

Joico appointed several new employees. Laverne Tschappat has been named director, business development; Bradford O'Brien has joined Joico's exclusive marketing team as marketing manager for the Re:nu brand; and Raeleen Damien has been named marketing specialist, international export.

LAVERNE TSCHAPPAT
LAVERNE TSCHAPPAT

The Kirshner Group asked Rob Robertson to assume all sales and distribution responsibilities throughout the Asia-Pacific region for the company. He most recently served as divisional vice president of business development at L'Oréal USA Professional Products Division.

BRADFORD O'BRIEN
BRADFORD O'BRIEN

KMS California announced the appointment of Edwin Johnston as North American artistic director.

RAELEEN DAMIEN
RAELEEN DAMIEN

Number 4 High Performance Hair Care announced the addition of Cathy Walenta to oversee brand development. In her new position, Walenta will be responsible for managing relationships with distributors, overseeing new product launches and sales, and leading education efforts and product knowledge training.

ROB ROBERTSON
ROB ROBERTSON

Universal Beauty Companies named Sonya Borja, Dana Mathis and Shirin Hijazin account executives for its Exclusive Salon Distributor division and Ofelia Saldana and Deborah Villanueva as account executives for its Nancy's Beauty Warehouse division.

EDWIN JOHNSTON
EDWIN JOHNSTON

Up Close with Morad Zahabian

Executive Editor Kelley Donahue talked to the Ultimate Beauty Companies founder and CEO about his company's past, present and exciting future.

Q: How did you get your start in the business?

A: I entered the beauty business working in an entry-level position at a local beauty supply at age 17. Having worked just about every job within the company, from warehouse puller to driver and then on to purchasing manager, advertising manager and supervisor of 12 stores, I learned every segment of the business on my own. In 1992 I decided to open Nancy's Beauty Warehouse, an open-line distributorship.

MORAD ZAHABIAN
MORAD ZAHABIAN

Q: Tell us about the Ultimate Beauty Companies (UBC) concept and how you came up with the idea.

A: UBC, the umbrella company, includes four divisions. Nancy's Beauty Warehouse is the salon and beauty supply division; Bella Salon & Spa Distributor caters to the professional spa industry; Exclusive Salon Distributors is a professional beauty division established to deliver haircare and color lines to salons in Southern California; and, most recently we have created viaBeauté, Distributor of Fine Beauty Brands, which was designed to provide upscale salons and stylists with the most innovative and prestigious beauty brands available. Along with offering salon and spa professionals a wide range of products, we have the most efficient service in the industry. Customers have to like you to buy from you, and our customers truly enjoying working with us because of our great service and the fact that we help build their businesses through continuing education via our professional sales team.

Q: How do you motivate the UBC team?

A: I believe that every employee within the company plays an important role in its overall success. Our employees are provided with weekly sales and motivational training, as well as valued incentives, including time playing our company Wii to promote dedication and a love for the company. It's a fun place to work every day.

Q: Has your company recently launched any new marketing campaigns?

A: We just launched our 2009 campaign, UBC Makes Dreams Come True, where one lucky salon or spa professional will win $25,000. The campaign also includes an opportunity to "Pay it Forward" with $5,000 cash. Doing good things for other people can have the power to change someone's life. For more information, visit the campaign Facebook page at profile.to/ubcgiveaway.

Q: In this era of distributor consolidation, how is UBC making its mark?

A: As more and more of the large beauty industry distributors continue to be acquired and consolidated, my mission is to offer customers a unique and valuable alternative with a company that offers personalized attention, customer service of the highest quality and a convenient one-stop shop for beauty professionals nationwide.