TEMPE, Ariz.—Designer Skin has developed a new awareness campaign directed at fighting online consumer diversion. The company combats diversion at every level—distributor, salon and consumer—and this new program conveys a powerful message that will help the entire industry fight diverted product purchasing.
The project centers around the Web site www.onlinetanninglotions.com, created by Designer Skin specifically for the campaign. When a person searches for online tanning lotion retailers, the site pops up and displays this warning: “Buying tanning lotion online? BUYER BEWARE! Designer Skin’s important message, MUST READ!” The site then alerts consumers to the potential dangers of purchasing lotion online and drives them to professional tanning salons.
Salons battling diversion can link to the warning site and download an 8 1/2 x 11 Diversion Warning Flier from Designer Skin’s main Web site. For downloads or more information about diversion, visit www.designerskin.com or call (480) 966-1688.
Free Live Webinar June 11
PHOENIX—Mark your calendars to be part of the free, live Webinar Monday, June 11 from 1-2 p.m. EDT. Don’t be left in your competition’s marketing dust.
Titled “Marketing Know-How For Today’s Tanning Salons”, the Webinar will teach salon operators how to use promotional products and the press to grow business, provide expert advice from salon peers on marketing tools that work, and show how technological advances can help expand a salon’s bottom line.
This interactive communication forum will feature a panel discussion from elite marketing professionals and salon owners as well as a Q&A session. See page 43 for more details.
The Webinar is sponsored by Photo Therapeutics, Inc., LOOKING FIT® magazine and NTTI. Don’t miss this chance to ask the experts what you need to know NOW! Sign up today at www.lookingfit.com/webinars.
California Tan Salon Co-Op Program Adds Cash Option
LOS ANGELES—California Tan, Inc. has added a cash incentive to its Salon Co-Op Program. Salons that purchase California Tan products prior to June 30 now can redeem their co-op funds for cash in addition to the list of products and merchandise. For more information visit the “Business Center” at www.californiatan.com (select “Programs” and click on the “Co-Op” button) or call (800) SUNCARE.
To register for the Salon Co-Op Program or redeem co-op funds for cash, visit www.caltanrewards.com.
Supra Technologies Supports The ITA
NAPA, Calif.— The principals of Supra Technologies have had numerous conversations around the country in the past year regarding ways to ensure the long-term success of the Indoor Tanning Association (ITA) and its many programs that support the industry.
Far too few members of the industry— sales organizations as well as salon owners— assist the ITA financially, the company says. The ITA needs better funding since it is the appointed organization that assists the industry on a national and statewide basis.
Supra management believes supporting one’s trade organization is a great investment and has decided to pledge 20 percent of company profits from the sale of its Filtered Sunlight® low-pressure lamps to the ITA. This figure is in addition to the Supra’s annual $2,000 membership fee.
“We urge others in the industry to support the ITA in order to help secure the future of the indoor tanning industry,” Supra’s Leif Vasstrom says.
The yearly membership fee for each salon is $100, which equates to about 27 cents per day, per store for a personal lobbyist. For example, the ITA spent $25,000 to defeat a 2006 bill banning teen tanning in just one state. Unfortunately, very few of that state’s salon owners are ITA members.
“The monthly news, information and lobbying help far surpass the $100 fee,” Vasstrom says.
Australian Gold Model Search Narrows To 4
INDIANAPOLIS—Australian Gold® congratulates the four finalists of its 2007 Miss Australian Gold model search. The finalists are Christie Taylor from Sansole Tanning Salon, Little Rock, Ark.; Jessica Lowman from Bahamas Elite Tanning, Terrell, N.C.; Heidi Dumer from Yucatan Ning Ltd., Baltimore, Md.; and Jamie Smithers from Portland, Ore.
The finalists were flown to Sandpiper Beacon Beach Resort in Panama City Beach, Fla., for four days and three nights. The winner, who will be announced in September, will be featured in company trade ads and press releases.
For more information, visit www.australiangold.com.
June NTTI Certification Special
PHOENIX—The National Tanning Training Institute is having a summer certification special. NTTI is offering a 5-pack of Basic Certification for the reduced price of $164.95. That’s a savings of $130.
Visit www.tanningtraining.com/june5pack07 or call (800) 529-1101 to take advantage of this offer.
Four Seasons Supports Overseas Troops
PARIS, Tenn.—Four Seasons Sales & Service, Inc. associates recently participated in a drive to collect bath towels for troops serving in Iraq. The drive was coordinated by Marian Ann Graves of Buchanan, Tenn., who solicited participation from local businesses and citizens. Ever mindful of a good cause, the Four Seasons family stepped up to the plate and collected more than 300 towels for the troops.
For more information, call (800) 325-2769.
FORT WAYNE, Ind.—Brenda Fishbaugh, president of Eye Pro, Inc. has been a longtime supporter of exotic and endangered animals. Her conservation efforts on behalf of tigers recently were rewarded with a special painting from Tiger Island in Australia.
But the artist is truly what makes the gift so exceptional— because the painting was done by a real tiger. To raise funds for Jeeps to patrol areas in India where wild tigers are poached, Tiger Island recruits Taj, a white Bengal tiger, to create masterpieces that are sold on eBay for thousands of dollars.
“I’m thrilled to be given a painting done by Taj. There is a huge tiger footprint just below the center of the painting and even some tiger hairs stuck in the paint,” she says. “I’m so touched that Tiger Island recognizes all the work that Eye Pro does to help protect endangered animals worldwide. It will hang proudly in our headquarters.”
For more information and photos on Eye Pro’s animal advocacy and conservation efforts, visit www.eyepro.net.
Biddiscombe Emerges From Chapter 11
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.—Biddiscombe International announced that it emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy on April 2. “I am very pleased to announce that Biddiscombe weathered the storm and after eight months, we have fully emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy,” President John Melville says. “We have been able to tidy our financial affairs and, with some additional equity infused, we are now in a position to move forward with stability and intensity. We appreciate all the support we have received and I am personally grateful for the loyalty and trust coming from my staff.”
For more information, call (800) 258-3313.
Nashville Bound: ITA Tanning World Expo In October
WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Indoor Tanning Association (ITA) will hold its 8th Annual ITA Tanning World Expo Oct. 11-14 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn. Last year’s expo floor boasted more than 100 exhibitors and was host to thousands of attendees looking for the newest equipment and products.
For more information, call (888) 377-0477 or visit www.theita.com.
Hollywood Tans Names Mystic Tan Exclusive UV-Free Provider
FARMERS BRANCH, Texas—Mystic Tan, Inc. has been named the exclusive UV-free provider for the Hollywood Tans tanning salon chain. Mystic Tan will retrofit Hollywood Tans’ 300 UV-free booths with its patented MyMyst™ system.
For more information, call (877) 668-8826.
CARLSBAD, Calif.—Lumière Light Thèrapie launched its 2007 national public relations campaign on a New York media tour in March with the country’s leading consumer magazines.
Part of an ongoing educational effort, company president Tony Case met with beauty editors to update them on the growing category of LED light therapy while highlighting the skincare benefits of Lumière, a popular 20-minute non-invasive treatment for facial rejuvenation that salons are adding to existing services for increased revenue.
The company’s major public relations effort is “aimed at both the national and the local levels to increase national awareness of the brand and category while offering local support for Lumière salon customers,” Case says. To date, he has met with beauty editors from Vogue, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, New Beauty, Harper’s Bazaar, Jane, Seventeen, Elle, Self, Lucky, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, WWD, Women’s Health and Teen Vogue among others.
For more information, call (866) 724-8267.
Body Drench Lends A Hand
LOS ANGELES—Body Drench contributed to the Delancey Street Foundation, a structured educational and living environment in which men and women— most of whom are ex-felons and substance abusers—can learn the skills they need to rebuild their lives. A donation of Body Drench lotions was made to the residential educational facility in Los Angeles.
For more information, call (800) 621-9585.
Sunless A Hit At South African Beauty Event
WALHTAM, Mass.—Aviva Labs’ South African distributor, Spraytan, made a big splash at a recent beauty show in Cape Town where the Aviva Labs’ line of natural, sunless solutions and self-tanning products drew a great deal of interest from salon and spa professionals in attendance.
For more information, visit the News & Events section on www.avivalabs.com.
COLOGNE, Germany—SOLARIA, the No. 1 international trade fair for tanning products and equipment in Europe, will be held Nov. 1-3. Approximately 170 companies from 18 countries including the “Who’s Who” of the industrial sector are expected to participate in this year’s event. The show is expected to attract some 8,000 visitors from 53 countries. Held every other year, SOLARIA is the world’s most important platform for the tanning industry. It is where supply meets demand, where innovations are presented and trends are born. Therefore, it is a must-see event for all those who aim to be successful in the tanning sector.
For more information, visit www.solaria-cologne.com.
PHOENIX—Check out LOOKING FIT’s free e-Book Series at www.lookingfit.com/ebooks. Currently, there are seven e-Books that salon owners and operators can download. These valuable resources are FREE to print out for your employees and customers.
Our latest installment, “Franchising: It’s A ‘Brand’ New Era”, examines franchising in the indoor tanning market and answers the most frequently asked questions.
Visit www.lookingfit.com/ebooks for more information.
People On The Move
American Sun Systems (Greensboro, N.C.) announces the addition of Jerry Crouse to its executive staff. Crouse will serve as the vice president of sales for all divisions including equipment, special products, parts and service, working closely with all department managers, sales and support staff. His focus will be to open doors for new sales opportunities and to maximize, maintain and strengthen relationships with all customers and vendors alike. Crouse has a strong sales, management and operations background from his involvement with a large German owned manufacturer. He can be contacted at (800) 537-9113, ext. 128 or jcrouse@americansunsystems.com. (800) 537-9113
Synergy Tan® (Santa Barbara, Calif.) announces the addition of Gina Evans as its director of Web marketing. Evans brings an extensive background in sales and marketing and an expertise in e-media and communications. She is well respected within the industry having held a key position in marketing, sales and electronic communication for seven years. (800) 325-0836
Ultraviolet Resources International (Brook Park, Ohio) announces the addition of Joseph Woellhof to its sales team. Woellhof was appointed Technical Sales Manager after spending 14 years selling lamps and tanning equipment at Texas Solar Source in Austin, Texas. He will focus primarily on sales and service of I.SO ITALIA Matrix solariums, another recent addition at URI. With his addition, URI now has more than 75 years combined experience on its tanning lamps sales team. (800) 247-3251
Uvalux Tanning & Support (Woodstock, Ontario) thanks retiring Bernard Monastesse for his tremendous support and leadership in helping to develop the indoor tanning business in Canada. In 1980, he started one of the first tanning companies in Canada—Bernard Monastesse, Inc. A true pioneer who quickly became one of the most influential people in the early tanning industry, his experience and vast knowledge was instrumental when Uvalux and Monastesse merged in 2005. The new partnership created an exceptionally strong team that is very customer focused. The new Uvalux/Monastesse has become the most popular and strongest player in the Quebec tanning market. (888) 330-7946
Salon Support, Inc. (Fort Worth, Texas) announces the recent addition of seven new sales representatives: Doug Pierrard, Gina Mathis, Missy White, Leah Vahrenkamp, Kelsey Clark, Natalie Zavesky and Donna Clem. “The expansion of our sales team only further strengthens our ability to meet the continuing needs of our customers,” National Sales Manager Jeremy Bleeker says. (800) 670-7546
Growth & Development
Heartland Tanning, Inc. (Lee’s Summit, Mo.) celebrated the 2-year anniversary of its acquisition of the McDonough, Ga. sales and distribution center from the former Tan Systems. Heartland Tan South is the home of USEDBED.COM and TANPARTS.COM, a source for the largest after-market parts and gently used beds. (800) 999-8266
Lucas Products Corp. (Toledo, Ohio) congratulates National Sales Representative Melissa Keehn who celebrated her 7-year anniversary with the company in April. Joe Oldham celebrated 20 years with the company in March. (877) 582-2765
Sportarredo USA (Arlington, Texas) updated its Web site to include all new Mysun product information. The site features a new download area where customers can access manuals and pictures of equipment and a new pop-up feature to keep customers up-to-date on the latest promotions. (866) 899-4TAN
