KOS PRO. Be The First To Say We Can

Most companies launch a high end range, then go mass. Not King of Shaves. Ever since our first shaving oil was sold in Harrods in 1993, we've done things differently, and alongside our Brand Ambassador and Captain of England & Chelsea, John Terry, we're now 'Going Pro'!

King of Shaves Professional - or KOS.PRO as it is known, launches at Salon International, ExCeL, London Docklands in October 2007. This will be the very FIRST British men's wash, shave, skin & styling range to launch for men in the Salon & Professional space in the UK.

We have spent well over a year working on the products, and the retail/selling partnerships - with Oliver Fincher and his team at Aston & Fincher, with Mick of Mix, with Mus of The Cutting Rooms, with Paul Mole barbershop & salon in Upper East Side, NYC and with product & formulation experts world-wide.

KOS.PRO seeks to provide salon owners with a duality of purpose. The KOS.EXP - the King of Shaves Experience - more of which in due course, and a range of products that consumers actually WANT to buy, not have forced on them. A range priced to sell, with product efficacy that is second generation and truly performs. It's all abou the product - this has been a King of Shaves Mantra for over 14 years now, since I first launched the Original Shaving Oil back in 1992.

Aligning John Terry, the consummate Football Players Player with the range is a natural fit for salons who cut and style men's hair - after all, many men who play non-league soccer on Sundays will aspire to 'Be John Terry - Be A King' - and all of them as well as playing soccer to the best of their ability, surely want to shave and style in the same way, Professionally.

To further reinforce our team, we are also bringing on board our World Championship leading Powerboat P1 Offshore Racing Team, helmed by James Sheppard, four times Honda World Champion, and his Fountain/Ilmor Team. We've already got a blog entry at Hairdressers Journal Interactive (www.hji.co.uk) where one Salon owner and partner will get the chance for a sneak preview of the KOS.PRO range, whilst being royally entertained aboard our 50' flybridge cruiser and 75 knot chase RIB.

So, look out for our stand at Salon International - extensively featuring John Terry and impactful hexagonal branding, you won't be able to miss it! Keep up to date with developments during the run up by checking out the KOS.PRO blog, accessible via http://www.kospro.co.uk

KOS.PRO by King of Shaves. Go on. Be a King.

Go on. Back a future King!

Once in a while you read about something you've done, which is recognised as being really worthwhile. Back in 2003, my dad and I were chatting about King of Shaves sponsoring financially challenged young sports boys and girls of the future, and thought it would be a 'Good Thing' to do.

Coincidentally, I received a letter from a young British fencer called Paul Dazelely, asking if King of Shaves would sponsor him.

Thus the King of Shaves Young Blades bursary & sports partnership was born. Launched in 2003 by Colin Jackson, King of Shaves now sponsors up to 12 young athletes, all aiming to compete in the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. The scheme is now headed up by King of Shaves brand ambassador, Chelsea & England captain, John Terry and Shelley Rudman, Olympic silver medallist in the 2006 Winter Olympics.

And the reason I write this blog now? Well, in this week's Marketing magazine there's a four page article by Ed Kemp, examining the benefits of sponsors of signing them up before they hit the big time. Wade Bennett-Jackson (20) was 16 when King of Shaves signed him, and his other sponsors are McDonalds (Multi-Billion brand), Virgin (Multi-Billion brand) and Nike (obviously).

Will King of Shaves be a multi-billion pound brand? Well, like Wade winning the 2012 100m and 200m sprints in the London 2012 Olympics, I think so.

Go on. Back a (young) King!