Redken recently held its 2008 Redken Artist Connection (RAC) in Orlando, FL. Nearly 1,000 Redken Artists from around the world
congregated to learn the latest in cutting-edge color, cutting and finishing techniques.
"Redken's primary focus is helping salon professionals learn better, earn better and live better," said Christine Schuster,
senior vice president, education worldwide for Redken. "The artists who attended RAC sharpened their professional edge and
strengthened their talents to bring superior knowledge and expertise to their clients."
The Redken Artist Network is a group of talented individuals who provide advanced training to all levels of salon professionals
around the globe, and RAC is offered exclusively to Redken artists. Over three days, attendees learned the latest trends and
techniques, listened to inspirational speeches, caught the "buzz" surrounding Redken's new consumer and professional Web sites,
and got the lowdown on new marketing campaigns and promotions. Attendees spent time with some of the best educators in the
industry, including Chris Baran, Kris Sorbie, Sam Villa, Deb Rosenberg, Dhaniel Doud and Carmody Homan. Classes like color
i'mPOSSIBLE, INSPIREation and FINISHline were designed for small groups and rotated throughout the day. The result was an
intimate, personalized learning experience encouraging growth. —MARIANNE DOUGHERTY
John Paul Mitchell Systems' New Campaign Puts the Focus on the Family
John Paul Mitchell Systems (JPMS) has once again taken a different spin on advertising. For the second time, acclaimed celebrity
photographer Annie Leibovitz captured the essence of the JPMS brand without actually including any product shots in the ads.
Paul Mitchell, JPMS co-founder and CEO, along with wife, Eloise, and son, John Anthony, were chosen for the backdrop of this
ad campaign, which was photographed at the family's Austin, Texas, home. The advertisements are void of product images to
portray the brand's "look behind the bottle" philosophy. "Leibovitz's thought-provoking images depict John Paul's passion
for his family, the environment and for people in need," said Nanette Bercu, senior vice president of creative. "It also allows
our users to connect to something real, something above and beyond the product." —N.G.
GSBA Receives Record-Breaking Nominations
The 2008 Global Salon Business Awards (GSBA), produced by The Business Education for Salons Today (B.E.S.T.) Foundation, has
received more than 3,000 nominations for its awards, which honor the best salons and salon owners worldwide for entrepreneurial,
business and managerial excellence and performance. Awards will be presented at the GSBA event held this year in Hollywood,
CA, from June 7–9. "We are truly excited by the overwhelming response this year, having nearly doubled the 1,700 nominations
received for the GSBA in Barcelona 2006," said Paula Kent Meehan, GSBA founder and president. "It proves the incredible strides
we are making in motivating excellence in the industry and bringing international salon leaders together to receive recognition
for their global business success and superiority." —N.P.
