NEWS: 04 November 2010
Wingman mentioned in South West Business
http://www.southwestbusiness.co.uk/
“A graduate whose business talents will be showcased on a new BBC business show next year has landed a deal with Boots to stock his male grooming product.
Stu Jolley, from Exmouth, came up with the idea for the Wingman wipes for men while he was studying at Cardiff University.
The product was devised to be used at festivals or by men going out straight from work without the time to shower.
The idea for the wipes won second prize in a student enterprise competition at Cardiff University and, when he graduated, Mr Jolley decided to focus on developing the product for a commercial launch.
Using the spare room in his parents’ house, Mr Jolley, aged 24, has been working on the product for just over a year.
Using winnings from the competition as well as part of his student loan and his savings, he got together enough cash to have 10,000 wipes manufactured.
He has worked with Nuts magazine to send 3,000 samples of the wipes to be tested by troops in Afghanistan. And, earlier this year, he applied to take part in a BBC programme called The Next Big Thing.
Presented by businessman and Dragons’ Den panellist Theo Paphitis, the programme will air early next year and will feature new innovations who try to impress buying teams from high street retailers in a bid to secure orders.
Mr Jolley was picked from more than 1,000 applicants to pitch Wingman to a team from Boots and was successful in picking up an order to be stocked in 264 stores across the UK, including outlets in Plymouth, Torquay, Exeter and Taunton.
“It’s been a crash course in business. I learned about the retail industry, manufacturing and pricing and I was dealing with some big health and beauty names,” he said.
The deal is for Wingman to be stocked exclusively by Boots and when this exclusivity ends, Mr Jolley is already looking at selling the wipes online.”
From South West Business
PRESS REVIEW: 03 Novemebr 2010
http://clotheshorse-diaryofaclotheshorse.blogspot.com/
“This week I’m loving ‘Wingman’, a brand new range of male grooming deodorising wipes designed specifically for men on the go. The bottom line is none of us are perfect and we’ve all had odour issues at some point what with the daily grind of urban travelling. Whether your out for drinks after work, after a gym session, going to a meeting straight off a flight or worse the tube, this is where Wingman wipes are most beneficial.
The premium wipes are designed to effectively remove dirt, oil and bacteria that accumulate on the skin’s surface during the day. They are robust, man-sized and loaded with a mixture of soothing Aloe Vera, fresh peppermint oil and invigorating ginseng, which effectively cools the skin leaving you feeling confident, cool and calm in any situation.
Wingman launched exclusively with Boots October 4th and comes in two sizes “On the Go” and “Ration” packs and I for one will always be keeping a pack in my bag.
Big big thumbs up from the Clotheshorse and I recommend you check them out!”
‘Let Wingman be your Wingman’
From Diary of a clotheshorse, by Leroy
News: 22 October 2010
Cardiff University Business Link
Stu Jolley – Cardiff Graduate
http://www.cardiff.ac.uk/news/articles/graduate-business-success-5596.html
“An innovative company set up by a Cardiff University graduate from the School of Journalism, Media and Cultural Studies has launched a product into one of the UK’s leading health and beauty retailers.
Wingman, a business that produces male grooming products and set up by Stuart Jolley, has secured a contract with Boots which sees the product, Wingman Deodorising Wipes displayed in more than 260 stores nationwide.
The wipes originally developed to be used at music festivals, urban travel or at home, have since been redesigned, and can now be used for all-over male body deodorising. It has proved successful with Boots who have already put in a replenishment order.
Wingman has also contacted some major flight companies, including Virgin and British Airways with the hope they will test the wipes during on-board business flights.
The business was set up after Stuart entered the University’s 2009 Spark Business Idea Competition with his innovative design.
Spark Business Idea Competition is run by the University’s Student Enterprise in partnership with Banco Santander and the Santander Universities scheme. The 2011 Competition launches this month, offering other like-minded students a platform to showcase their business ideas.
Stuart said: “Student Enterprise was extremely helpful during my time at Cardiff University. Not only did they provide Wingman with a start-up fund to get the business off the ground, they also provided invaluable advice and support during my time at Cardiff. Anyone thinking of starting a business should really take advantage of this excellent service.”
Founder Stuart Jolley is now due to appear in a BBC Two series ‘Britain’s Next Big Thing’, presented by entrepreneur and Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis, which is scheduled to screen in the New Year. Another business which has been highly successful thanks to the start-up help of Student Enterprise is UKLoupes. Founded by fourth-year dental student, Dave Stone and his business partner Dan Keil in 2010, UKLoupes now sells in the UK, Eastern Europe and India. It provides good quality loupes (the hands-free magnifying lenses used by dentists and surgeons when performing operations) at more affordable prices for dental students.
UKLoupes won the £1000 prize from the 2010 Spark Business Idea competition. The feedback and funding received has enabled them to move onto the next stage of expanding their company. UKLoupes was also selected as one of the final three for HSBC’s Start Up Stars International Award 2010.
The 2011 Spark Business Idea Competition is open to all current students who have a new business idea. The competition is open to applications until March 2011. To support students with business ideas, Student Enterprise is also running a series of business start-up workshops from 26 October aimed at helping students to develop their business plan. Individual guidance sessions are also offered to students and recent graduates.
The University’s Student Enterprise service offers impartial information and guidance to all students on how to take an idea forward and how to take an existing business or social enterprise to the next level.”
From Cardiff University, by Fran
NEWS: 22 October 2010
Wingman spotted by Cosmetic Design Europe
http://www.cosmeticsdesign-europe.com/Market-Trends/Men-s-grooming-trend-influences-latest-introduction-of-on-the-go-products
“As men become more interested in grooming products, and the market shows significant growth, more companies are introducing products to meet market demands.
UK-based company Wingman has pounced on this trend with the introduction of its new deodorising wipe, claiming men can stay clean and fragrant whilst on the move.
The company cites the change in men’s behaviour as one of the key influences for the product.
“Men’s attitudes and motives in buying new products are changing and men can now admit they like looking themselves. Think back ten years, men would never have walked into a shop to buy a moisturiser or energy eye roll on,” managing director, Stuart Jolley told CosmeticsDesign-Europe.com.
Niche product market on the rise
The rise in niche grooming products, has aided the growth in the male grooming segment and this is one of the trends Wingman hope will aid the success of its product.
“We set our designers the challenge to deliver a masculine design with great stand out on shelf and memorable identity. Our vision was to create a premium range of male wipes which would serve men through travelling, after work or during nights out,” he continued.
The design for the product packaging is by Wiltshire-based packaging firm Artejano Design, with the view of creating a stand-out piece that would also be of convenient size.
Artejano account director Lizzie Scott said: “The challenge to design packaging for a new product launch in an already cluttered male-grooming market, but with a premium product, enabled us to create a design that delivered against all of Wingman’s values and vision.”
Men’s grooming market showing growth
Earlier this year, market research company Mintel announced its expectations for the male grooming market to flourish, and this seems the case as established players are being joined by new companies in the market.
Global firm P&G announced last month it would look to expand its Olay brand to build on the male grooming market development which is seeing significant growth.
Mintel research has shown men are more likely to look for a ‘quick fix’ or multi-purpose solution when it comes to toiletries, and male grooming web service MenAreUseless also commented on how there has been increasing regularity of new product introduction.
The issue the online service quoted in its research was that men were showing great interest in grooming products, but are still displaying reluctance to go to the shops to purchase the items.
Brand identity is vital
Jolley believes Wingman combats this problem as it “stands out because of the memorable identity that is Wingman. The term, which stems from the military, is a very popular word that captures our brands vision of loyalty, trust and reliability.”
The product comes in an 8-pack box or a 2-pack box for convenience and is exclusively sold in UK retailer, Boots. Wingman will also feature on a BBC television series tracking the product from prototype to shop floor.”
From Cosmetic Design Europe, by Andrew McDougall
PRESS REVIEW: 19 october 2010
Grooming Review from The Style Nerds
http://stylenerds.com/grooming/wingman-male-deodorising-wipes/
“After a long day’s rigorous hard work all you want to do is join your fellow compadres in a social drink, de-stress and forget about the hectic day. But then there’s something that’s always stopping you from doing so, you notice that the day has taken a toll on you and you feel somewhat dirty and not too fresh at all, you need a shower. Unfortunately a shower at the moment is hard to come by, you’re stuck with a dilemma, what can you do?
Well this is where you might just need to call on the services of the WINGMAN. No not your regular trusted wingman, but a new male deodorising wipe that has been engineered for men on the go. Contained in a slim and handy foil packet the wipe is loaded with Aloe Vera, Peppermint Oil and Ginseng which tackles and removes the day’s build up of dirt, bacteria, excess oils and bad odours leaving your skin revitalized and smelling good. Although not an absolute replacement for the shower there is plenty of the wipe to cover your whole torso so it does leave you feeling fresh, cool and to some extent energised. A guaranteed necessity for the modern man who is interested in their personal appearance and hygiene, ‘No matter where you are or what you are doing, you can always trust your wingman to be there when it matters most’.
Wingman can be purchased as a ‘Ration‘ 8 pack or an ‘On the Go‘ 2 pack exclusively from Boots.”
From Stylenerds, by IM.
PRESS REVIEW: 10 October 2010
http://www.sartorialmale.com
“A tube strike, a journey on a packed bus with tropical like temperatures, dusted with a serving of fine rain, my journey into the office wasn’t one of comfort. After said experience, I’m feeling fit for nothing but a shower. Feeling like this for 9 hours, Nah!
Wingman Deodorising Wipes recently launched. I decided to tackle my feeling of discomfort with a formula designed around convenience, hopefully resulting in a cleansed state of mind, let alone, a sweat smelling derma! Wingman Deodorising Wipes, 8 individually wrapped moist towels designed for the modern man who may require a little refresh on the go! Featuring extracts of peppermint, aloe vera and ginseng, your skin should be left soft, cleansed and energised. By the way, ginseng can be an aphrodisiac, amourous moves in the workplace can lead to complications!
Wingman Wipes
Do Wingman Deodorising Wipes really work?
I arrive in the office, uncomfortably damp. I drop my bag onto my desk, remove a drenched jacket, only to reveal arm pits perspiring enough moisture to water a conifer, Yuk! I deleve into my man bag and grab a Wingman Men’s Deodorising Wipe……. Here’s How it went…..
Packaged in slim foil cases, the wipes are easily slipped into your bag, pocket or even your wallet. Opening the package reveals a sweet smelling towel which unfolds into a decent size wipe, large enough to cover more than just your arm pits! Wingman Deodorising Wipes really are a ‘Shower in a packet.’ The formula leaves the skin free of nasty smells, helps to prevent further build up and comfortably prepares you for whatever lies ahead. I’ll certainly be slipping them into my man bag. A must for the modern man!”
From Sartorial Male
NEWS: 06 October 2010
http://www.exmouthpeople.co.uk
“It’s surprising what can come out of being deprived of some of life’s creature comforts. For graduate-turned-entrepreneur Stu Jolley, the lack of showers on a camping holiday forced him to ponder what else he could use to keep clean, and the idea for Wingman, male deodorising wipes, was born.
Once back at university Stu started on the journey to making the concept into a reality. And now Wingman has now hit the shelves in 264 Boots stores nationwide, including Exeter.
The 23-year-old former Exmouth Community College student got the opportunity to impress the retail chain’s bigwigs when he beat hundreds of other hopefuls all vying for a place on a new BBC programme for young entrepreneurs, The Next Big Thing, being aired in the New Year.
“It all started when I was on summer holiday two years ago while studying at Cardiff University,” he said. I was on a surf camping trip in France with friends and the showers at a number of campsites weren’t working. A friend pulled out a pink packet of baby wipes and being a group of all men, we laughed at him – but we were all using them a while later! We saw some wipes scented for men and it dawned on me that there was nothing targeted for men back home.
Mr Jolley entered his university’s young entrepreneurs competition with a course friend and came second. The prize money of £500 allowed them to explore the opportunity further and enter a Welsh Government Scheme for young entrepreneurs called Venture Wales.
‘We were assigned a mentor who gave us free business advice and who drew up a business plan with us,” he said. ‘I found a wet wipe manufacturer and a local designer designed the packaging. We got 10,000 units made which cost about £1,100, and test ran it at uni and in nightclubs in the city. We took Wingman to Reading Festival where a real need was established. We sold over 1,100 in two days.
‘Wingman was also featured in Nuts magazine and 2,500 samples were sent out with parcels to troops in Afghanistan.’ Stu applied for the BBC show in the spring and Wingman was one of 10 products shortlisted out of around 1,000 applicants to face the Boots bosses at their headquarters in Nottingham to present his product.
“I made the pitch in front of the cameras for the show. It was probably the most nerve wracking thing I’ve ever done,” Mr Jolley said. “Five minutes later we were told we’d got through.”
Wingman is available either as a packet of eight individually-wrapped wipes or a packet of two wipes. As for the name, Stu said: “I was searching for names for ages and came across the military term used by men to describe their comrades who are there to be loyal and reliable – These are the core values of the product.”
“I’m a passionate person so when I have an idea I want to see it through, and to get it in Boots was the jackpot I wanted.”
From Exmouth People
Wingman 'Top Gun' Helmet
PRESS REVIEW: 29 September 2010
http://thegroomingguy.com/2010/09/29/never-fly-solo/
“As an avid fan of Top Gun, anything which relates to naval aviation camaraderie gets a tick in my box.”
That’s why a new company called WINGMAN has caught my eye. They have created a brand new male deodorising wipe that has been engineered for men on the go. The wipes are designed to effectively remove dirt, oil and bacteria that accumulate on the skin’s surface during the day. They come in man-sized packs and each wipe is loaded with a mixture of soothing aloe vera, fresh peppermint oil and invigorating ginseng, which actively cools the skin.
WINGMAN wipes come in two variants :
- An on the go pack of two (RRP £1.22) for quick hygiene fixes on the train, lunch time gym sessions and nights out.
- And a ration pack of eight (RRP £3.56) for the office, the car or weekends away.
WINGMAN hits the shelves on October 6, exclusively to Boots.
WINGMAN’s rise to success will feature as part of a new BBC Two TV series presented by Dragon’s Den star Theo Paphitis, airing in early 2011.
I’m also a big fan of the strapline: “So wherever you go and wherever you are, Never Fly Solo, make sure your WINGMAN is at your side”.
PRESS REVIEW: 23 September 2010
Chic Geek suggests that London commuters need a Wingman.
http://www.thechicgeek.co.uk
“Hi Geek,
I commute to work everyday on London’s horrendously hot & dirty tubes. I arrive to work feeling gross, sweaty and uncomfortable. Is there any quick solution?
Cheers,
Adam
Hi Adam,
Dont sweat! There is a new product to help called Wingman. It’s a brand new range of male deodorising wipes engineered specifically for men. The benefit of using the wipes is that they effectively remove dirt, oil and bacteria that accumulate on the skin’s surface during the day. Man-sized and robust, each wipe is fully loaded with a mixture of soothing aloe vera, fresh peppermint oil and invigorating ginseng which actively cools the skin. They also don’t smell like those nasty baby wipes and each one is foil wrapped so it doesn’t dry out.”
Wingman Wipe
PRESS ARTICLE: 22 September 2010
Wingman wipes were designed by Reno Desciscio, founder of uber cool design agency Artejano
http://www.packagingnews.co.uk/materials/cartonboard/artejano-develops-packaging-for-wingman-wipes/
“Wiltshire-based Artejano Design has created the packaging for Wingman deodorising wipes that are available at Boots.
The Wingman wipes are the first product in a range of male-grooming products that are being introduced at Boots stores this autumn.
The firm tasked Artejano with developing a strong brand identity and sophisticated personality for the packaging.
Wingman founder Stuart Jolley said Artejano had “delivered a design with great standout on shelf and a memorable identity”.
Artejano founder Reno Desciscio said: “The challenge to design packaging for a new product launch in an already cluttered male-grooming market, but with a premium product, enabled us to create a design that delivered against all of Wingman’s values and vision.”
From Packaging News, by Josh brooks
