Latest news with #MadisonReed
Entrepreneur
08-08-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Madison Reeds' Investment in Women's Sports is Rewriting the NIL Playbook
Madison Reed is reshaping the NIL landscape by offering female athletes like Azzi Fudd and Paige Bueckers equity, mentorship and real business opportunities — not just endorsements. Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. Women have always faced pressure to meet narrow and often conflicting societal expectations. For female athletes, that pressure presents a paradox — being strong on the court while still being seen as "feminine" off of it. "Growing up, I felt like if you were good at sports, people would label you a tomboy or say you weren't girly enough," says UConn basketball star Azzi Fudd. Now, Fudd is helping change that narrative. She's at the center of a bold partnership between UConn Athletics and prestige beauty brand Madison Reed that challenges outdated expectations and redefines what confidence can look like. Founded by UConn alum and seasoned entrepreneur Amy Errett, Madison Reed is deepening its investment in women's basketball through its Team ColorWonder campaign, expanding its roster for the 2025–26 season, and launching new initiatives with brand ambassadors like Fudd and Paige Bueckers. "This movement of athletes being celebrated for their confidence and beauty is still new," Errett says. "When people think of Madison Reed, I want them to think of the aspiration to feel confident — on their terms." Related: 'Consumers Deserve Better': How Superstar QB Patrick Mahomes Is Brewing a Better Future for Coffee Drinkers Highlighting what matters Madison Reed was born out of a personal problem waiting to be solved. Founder Amy Errett saw her friends struggling with greying hair and frustrated by the harsh ingredients in traditional dyes. She set out to create a better alternative — one that delivered salon-quality results with cleaner formulas and greater accessibility. Her first focus was the at-home market, which makes up roughly half of the women's hair dye industry. "It never works if somebody buys one thing from you and doesn't come back," Errett explains. "It's like men and shaving. Women usually have a regular cadence for coloring their hair." After finding early traction, she expanded Madison Reed's reach through partnerships with Ulta, Walmart and Amazon. Eventually, Errett set her sights on the other half of the market: salons. After hundreds of stylists reached out asking to buy Madison Reed's color tubes, she had a realization — why not hire their own cosmetologists? What began as a product-focused business evolved into one that also offers services, with Madison Reed now operating over 100 stores. While the service is cosmetic, the brand's success is rooted in what's behind it: high-quality ingredients and a deep commitment to care, from covering 90% of employee medical benefits to offering customers a 100% money-back guarantee. "Customer service is a lost art," Errett says. "When you show up for your customers, they stay loyal. And we've seen that." Equally important is how the company treats its employees — something Errett believes is often overlooked in the industry. "We don't just hire based on whether someone's a great stylist, controller, marketer or data analyst," she explains. "We also hire for the 'how,' which is culture." Madison Reed is grounded in five core values — Love, Joy, Courage, Trust and Responsibility — displayed in every hair color bar. "As long as our cosmetologists are happy, and we give them career paths, we have an army," Errett says. Related: This Small Gesture from a Stranger Changed How I Handle Stress in a High-Pressure Career Athletes and aesthetics As women's sports exploded, Errett saw an opportunity for Madison Reed to be one of the first beauty brands to enter the space. "Female athletes embody everything we stand for," she says. A UConn alum and member of the UConn Foundation's Board of Directors, Errett saw the university as a natural fit for the brand's first partnership, especially with its powerhouse women's basketball program, featuring stars like Azzi Fudd and WNBA No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers. "Partnering with a brand like Madison Reed is incredible," says Fudd. "It was founded by a woman, and its mission to promote confidence in women aligns with the values of women's sports." The partnership goes beyond photo ops and Instagram collabs. Madison Reed has secured naming rights for UConn's Gampel Pavilion and XL Center, becoming the first female-founded and alumni-founded brand to do so. "One thing about NIL partnerships is that a lot of them don't have aligned goals," Errett says. "The only way this works is if both the athletes and the university benefit." In this arrangement, Madison Reed can host photoshoots on the UConn court, offering the school added publicity while simplifying logistics for everyone involved. Related: 'Nobody's Ever Seen This Before': How These 2 NYC Sports Icons Are Infusing Swagger into Next-Gen Eyewear Equity helps create empowerment For the athletes, the deal is split 50/50 between cash and equity, with franchising rights included for players who may want to open their own store in the future. "Talking with Amy about equity and potential franchise opportunities got me excited," says Fudd. "It showed she's not interested in just a transactional deal. She genuinely wants to empower women in sports, and she's willing to share her knowledge and be a mentor however she can." Bueckers' partnership extended beyond her time at UConn and into the WNBA, including her color line, "Uconnic Blonde," while Fudd is exploring a for-credit internship with the company to gain hands-on experience in entrepreneurship and marketing while pursuing her MBA. Fudd may be young, but she's already earned a seat at the table with some of the most elite athletes and entrepreneurs in sports. One of them is Steph Curry, whom she first met as one of the inaugural female attendees at his camp in 2018. He later invited her to a business summit, where she saw a completely different side of the NBA star. "I only knew him as a basketball player, so that experience opened my eyes," Fudd says. "Watching him played a role in why I decided to pursue my MBA. I want to understand my business and not just rely on people I hire for help." Conclusion Madison Reed kicked off the second year of its partnership at the 2025 ESPYs by hosting the UConn team at its Los Angeles-area Hair Color Bar for a private "Get Ready With Me" event. Players and coaches enjoyed professional styling, including color, gloss, treatments and blowouts before the show. "For a long time, female athletes weren't offered brand deals at all — let alone beauty deals," says Errett. "Now, they're being recognized not just for their talent, but for their confidence, beauty and the inspiration they bring to young fans and parents. Seeing someone like Azzi celebrated for who she is — inside and out — alongside so many other accomplished women… how amazing is that?"
Forbes
16-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Beauty Brands Are Investing In Women's Sports, Here's Why
Glosier, ILIA, and Madison Reed For decades, women's sports were relegated to the back, not because audiences lacked interest, but because institutional support was far and few in between. Investment was minimal, media coverage was sparse, and infrastructure lagged far behind. The consequences were far-reaching: not only did athletes face inadequate pay and subpar facilities, but the entire enterprise was trivialized, often reduced to a punchline in the broader sports discourse. However, that narrative is changing, and fast. Women's sports, especially basketball, are experiencing a remarkable surge. Both the NCAA and WNBA have seen major growth in viewership. The 2024–25 season ended with viewership up 3% from the record-breaking 2023–24 season, which saw 18.9 million viewers in their championship game, while the WNBA saw a stunning 41% increase. The 2024 WNBA Finals drew historic crowds, averaging 18,518 fans per game. Now, brands and investors are finally taking notice. Certain women's sports—such as tennis, gymnastics, and golf—have long been considered "marketable" and widely popular. These sports have attracted significant brand endorsements, with the LPGA (The Ladies Professional Golf Association) securing over 1,000 sponsorship deals and the WTA (Women's Tennis Association) surpassing that mark as well. However, women's soccer and basketball are now experiencing unprecedented levels of viewership and audience attendance. Beauty brands, in particular, are beginning to take notice. Isabelle Harrison For Glossier The first beauty brand to invest in women's sports was Glossier, which became the WNBA's first official beauty partner, The WNBA played its first season in 1997, but didn't have an official beauty partner until Glossier came aboard in 2020. Glossier originally launched their partnership with a Body Hero campaign, with the campaign starting in the 2020 WNBA Bubble season and featuring WNBA legend Sue Bird among other players such as Natalie Achonwa and Gabby Williamsm. This campaign was apart of their first ever body products that included an oil body wash and body cream. Kyle Leahy, the CEO of Glossier, tells Forbes "Glossier and the WNBA's relationship has evolved into a full-fledged partnership as we continue to spotlight the league's diverse and self-expressive athletes in national promotions and campaigns, (e.g., Stretch Complexion launch in '23 starring Izzy Harrison, Ariel Atkins, Stephanie Soares, Diamond Miller, Natalie Achonwa, and Brea Beal and Lip Gloss in '24 featuring Bri Jones, Didi Richards, Skylar Diggins-Smith and Ezi Magbegor)." But Glossier's investment in women's sports didn't stop there. Additionally, Glossier has sponsored the US women's national basketball team as they participated in the 2024 Summer Olympics, coordinated influencer, press trips to games, and participated in the 2024 and 2025 WNBA draft where they were the official beauty partner of the WNBA. Leahy continues "The partnership has also grown beyond the league, Glossier refurbished the two Tompkins Square basketball courts last year and sponsored the young women's summer league in the park, and continues to do so this summer season." While the gap between sports and beauty may seem wide, a growing number of players are showing up to the court in full glam thanks to the accessibility and involvement of these brands. Athletes like Rickea Jackson, Dijonai Carrington, and Angel Reese are some to name a few. Glossier's CEO Leahy emphasizes this sentiment, "From the start, we have always believed that beauty and sports are not mutually exclusive." She continues " Our belief in the power of girls and women in sports, and the incredible women of the WNBA, is what led us to become the WNBA's first beauty partner in 2020." According to UN Women, Eighty per cent of female Fortune 500 CEOs played sports in their formative years, emphasizing the 'profound impact of early exposure to sports on women's development and ability to reach their full potential." Leahy states, 'Our commitment to the league began well before the WNBA was catapulted into the zeitgeist this year, we're happy more and more people are taking notice.' The spirit of the WNBA is very familiar to Glossier, "we both have a vision to disrupt the status quo. We challenge accepted norms, each in our own way as individuals and as entities, and are fueled by a shared passion for what we believe in: our values," says Leahy. And they plan to impact more within the sports realm in the future, to continue Glossier's dedication to basketball, the launch of their limited edition Glossier pink basketball with Franklin Sports is going to help donate critical basketball equipment and apparel to girls' basketball programs across 5 communities in need. After Glossier's announcement, other beauty brands quickly began to follow suit. Charlotte Tilbury launched a sponsorship with Formula 1, Sephora partnered with Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart's Unrivaled league, and there's been Sephora sponsorships within two WNBA teams—the New York Liberty and the Golden State Valkyries. And most recently, we've seen E.L.F. invest in the National Women's Soccer League. Another standout team beauty sponsor has been ILIA within Paris Saint Germain's feminine. In May of 2025, ILIA announced their partnership with the club via Instagram with the messaging of 'telling stories of high performance without compromise + to empower women to compete at the highest level of sport.' Please click here if you are not redirected within a few seconds. Images Paris Saint-Germain Women's ... More Team Signs Multi-Year Sponsorship Deal ... Images may be subject to copyright. Sasha Plavsic, founder of ILIA Beauty, told Forbes that the partnership was born from a personal connection. "As a mother and female-founder, I feel a strong connection to and joy for the rise in women's sports as it is a natural and necessary space for female empowerment," Plavsic said. She continues, "I've always believed that women deserve as much admiration and attention as their male counterparts, especially as a mother to young daughters." For her, she was "so glad" to see the world 'turn their eyes further to celebrate these extraordinary women in the world of sport, and in the world in general.' This partnership had been in the works for 'some time,' as investing in sports had long piqued the founder's interest. But it wasn't soccer specifically that sparked the pivot, it was the place. "As you know, Paris holds a special place in my heart, having lived and worked in Europe for a number of years, so partnering with a Parisian women's sports team felt like such a natural fit for us and flowed so organically from inception." For ILIA, the focus isn't on bridging a gap between sports and beauty, but rather on highlighting what they have in common. "With the belief that beauty begins from within and as a brand that focuses on wellness, we've found a partner in Paris Saint-Germain to tell the story of no-compromise performance for women, and I look forward to watching that story unfold next season." And while the idea of women's empowerment, bonding, and representation is powerful in theory, it would be remiss not to acknowledge what the brands are gaining in return: rising exposure. With superstars like Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese, and Trinity Rodman headlining their respective leagues, and building massive followings beyond their sports, brands are eager to align themselves with that momentum. Whether it's Madison Reed's name printed on the court or Shark Beauty hosting an NCAA tournament, these companies aren't just showing up, they're getting a significant return on investment. In 2023, Angel Reese's name, image, and likeness (NIL) valuation jumped during the week of the Final Four, alongside a spike in her follower count. According to On3, her valuation reached $876,000 by the end of the tournament—a $485,000 increase in just one week. Paige Bueckers, a name that echoes not just on ESPN, but across TikTok, has amassed over 2.7 million followers on Instagram and 3.8 million on TikTok. According to NCAdvertiser, she has also become a lure for NIL deals. She's landed partnerships with Gatorade, StockX, and Cash App, and was the first NCAA athlete to sign NIL deals with both Gatorade and Nike. And her first beauty brand collaboration came from Madison Reed during her time at UConn, is no exception. While at UConn, Bueckers launched her own ColorWonder hair care shade, 'UConnic Blonde,' which not only drove sales but also brought in new followers and expanded the brand's audience. The choice to work with her was intentional. 'Paige harnessed her powerful social influence to make this a truly digital-first launch,' says Madison Reed CEO and founder Amy Errett. She continues, 'She crowdsourced the name for her signature shade, receiving thousands of submissions in the first hour. Paige also unveiled the limited-edition shade on her Instagram and TikTok, inspiring her followers to share their own 'UConnic Moments.'' 'I've been very impressed by Paige's connection to giving back to the community, and that was an important part of this collaboration,' Errett says. As part of the launch, Madison Reed made a $10,000 donation to the UConn Women's Basketball Team. Additionally, in partnership with Paige, a portion of proceeds from UConnic Blonde sales is being donated to Good Sports, Inc: an organization dedicated to driving equitable access in youth sports by providing high-need communities with essential gear to reduce costs. 'With the launch of our ColorWonder demi-permanent hair color, we were looking for a way to authentically engage a Gen Z audience by spotlighting athletes whose confidence and individuality resonate with a new generation that embraces self-expression,' says Errett. UCONN WOMENS BASKETBALL TEAM FOR MADISON REED 'Our 360-degree partnership connects us with the power of the UConn fans through first-of-its-kind court naming rights, on-campus and game-day events, as well as direct partnerships with athletes,' she continues. Madison Reed was drawn to this particular team not only because the founder is an alumna, but also because 'these women are examples of how passion, determination, and focus to succeed on the court apply to future professional endeavors. From the beginning, we knew we wanted to offer more than a sponsorship and create real opportunities beyond the court.' For Madison Reed, this unique opportunity, described by the founder as 'not typical,' includes providing Team ColorWonder with an equity stake in the Madison Reed business, opportunities to franchise a Madison Reed Hair Color Bar in the future, access to internships with Madison Reed for UConn students for class credit, and exposure to Madison Reed's internal and external networks. 'We were inspired by the long history UConn has had in recruiting and developing female athletes who are trailblazers pushing the boundaries that Paige Bueckers, Azzi Fudd, and the UConn team embody,' Errett explains. 'And UConn is a powerhouse with a highly engaged audience. It is exciting to be the first female-founded, grad-founded brand with court naming rights at UConn.' But the partnership didn't end in college, his endorsement followed Bueckers as she was drafted to the Dallas Wings. 'We watched draft night eagerly, knowing that we would be joining Paige on the next stop of her athletic journey,' says Errett. The brand launched a partnership with WFAA in Dallas, celebrating the impact of women's sports and the power of confidence with a new broadcast ad and sponsorship of their halftime coverage with 'Empower Plays' and a fourth-quarter 'Game Changer' segment. Looking ahead, Errett shares, 'I'm heading down to Los Angeles next week to host the UConn team at our Madison Reed Hair Color Bar for a fun, confidence-fueled 'Get Ready With Me' event for the ESPYS, where they are nominated for Best Team. We are offering professional hair styling—color, gloss, blowouts—for all UConn players attending the event.' Women's sports is a profitable industry that will only continue to grow, And while many beauty brands are still figuring out how to authentically bring their commitment to empowering women through sport to life, the interest is clear. Who knows? Maybe one day Suni Lee could be the next face of M.A.C, or Diana Taurasi the face of Milk Makeup. What's certain is that the connection between beauty and women's sports is eminnent.
Associated Press
07-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Madison Reed Expands Its Omnichannel Presence Through a Retail Partnership with Sally Beauty
The Strategic Partnership Seeks to Expand Sally Beauty's Hair Color Portfolio with Madison Reed's All-in-One, Salon-Quality Hair Color Kit Solutions SAN FRANCISCO, April 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Madison Reed, the prestige beauty brand that has revolutionized the hair color industry, today announced its expansion into select Sally Beauty stores nationwide and on This strategic move furthers the disruptor brand's mission to empower women to demand more—both in their hair color and in their lives—while expanding their omnichannel growth by adding Sally Beauty, the industry-leading destination for professional quality hair color, to their existing mass and prestige retail presence. 'Madison Reed is founded on the belief that women should have access to salon-quality hair color, made with ingredients they can feel good about, on their own terms. Through this mission, we are the first and only prestige hair color company to make the same salon-quality hair color our colorists use in our 94+ Hair Color Bars accessible to our guests at home. We are honored to partner with Sally Beauty and provide their customers with a new way to experience hair color through our all-in-one hair color kit that is colorist-loved and approved,' says Amy Errett, Madison Reed CEO + Founder. This marks the latest milestone in Madison Reed's retail growth, which has seen expansion to over 3,800 retail stores nationwide, driven by a strong presence at Ulta Beauty, select Target and Walmart locations along with Amazon, Madison Reed's 94+ owned-and-operated Hair Color Bars and thriving DTC business. Madison Reed's comprehensive retail strategy has enabled the brand to maximize accessibility of their prestige hair color portfolio to meet their guests wherever they are. Unlike most hair color brands, Madison Reed formulas never use harsh ingredients like ammonia, resorcinol and PPD, and are enriched with conditioning and strengthening ingredients like argan oil and ginseng root extract. The same salon-quality formulas used and loved by Madison Reed's team of 1,000+ licensed colorists in Madison Reed Hair Color Bars are made accessible at home to Madison Reed's guests through an all-in-one kit. Madison Reed is widely recognized as a category leader and is an eight-time winner of the highly coveted Allure Best of Beauty Awards. 'At Sally Beauty, we're constantly evolving our product assortment to meet the diverse needs of today's beauty enthusiasts. Partnering with Madison Reed allows us to bring another prestigious, salon-quality hair color brand to our customers in a convenient, accessible way,' says Maryann Herskowitz, Group Vice President of Merchandising at Sally Beauty. 'Madison Reed's commitment to quality ingredients, professional results, and customer empowerment aligns perfectly with our mission to provide innovative beauty solutions that fuel self-expression.' Madison Reed products will be available at and in select Sally Beauty stores nationwide. In total, Madison Reed will have 34 SKUs available, including their best-selling Radiant Hair Color Kit in 18 shades, Root Perfection in 5 shades, NEW! ColorWonder Demi-Permanent Hair Color in 10 shades and The Ultimate Pro Color Tool Kit. For more information, please visit About Madison Reed: Founded in 2013, Madison Reed is a prestige beauty brand that has revolutionized the hair color industry. Madison Reed offers 85+ shades of high-quality hair color, Smart 8-Free formulas made in Italy, technology, personalized service, and the freedom to get high quality results whether they color their hair at home or by a professional colorist in one of Madison Reed's 94+ Hair Color Bars across the country. Products can be found online at Madison Reed Hair Color Bars nationwide, Ulta Beauty, Amazon and select Sally Beauty, Target and Walmart stores. Stay up-to-date by following us on Instagram and TikTok. About Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc.: Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SBH), as the leader in professional hair color, sells and distributes professional beauty supplies globally through its Sally Beauty Supply and Beauty Systems Group businesses. Sally Beauty Supply stores offer up to 7,000 products for hair color, hair care, nails, and skin care through proprietary brands such as Ion®, Bondbar®, Strawberry Leopard®, Generic Value Products®, Inspired by Nature® and Silk Elements® as well as professional lines such as Wella®, Clairol®, OPI®, L'Oreal®, Wahl® and Babyliss Pro®. Beauty Systems Group stores, branded as CosmoProf® or Armstrong McCall® stores, along with its outside sales consultants, sell up to 8,000 professionally branded products including Paul Mitchell®, Wella®, Matrix®, Schwarzkopf®, Kenra®, Goldwell®, Joico®, Amika® and Moroccanoil®, intended for use in salons and for resale by salons to retail consumers. For more information about Sally Beauty Holdings, Inc., please visit . Praytell
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Madison Reed taps Athleta vet as chief marketing officer
This story was originally published on Retail Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Retail Dive newsletter. Hair color brand Madison Reed on Thursday announced Sheila Shekar Pollak was hired as chief marketing officer. She reports to the brand's founder and CEO Amy Errett. Shekar Pollak previously held marketing leadership roles at Gap Inc.-owned Athleta, outdoor apparel brand Orvis and skin care brand Biossance. She succeeds Brad Lande-Shannon, who operated in a dual-role of chief people officer and chief marketing officer. Lande-Shannon will retain his role as chief people officer, according to a company press release. Shekar Pollak spent over nine years at Athleta, according to her LinkedIn profile. She was an integral part of Athleta's 'Power of She' brand platform and helped launch the Athleta Girl clothing line. As Madison Reed's new marketing chief, Shekar Pollak will oversee marketing and creative elements seeking to 'focus on inspiring women to demand more, in their hair color and their lives, through the brand's revolutionary hair color offerings,' per the company release. As part of this, Shekar Pollak will help develop campaigns like Team ColorWonder, which centers on women in sports, according to Errett. Madison Reed has sought to expand the company's culture with female sports celebrity endorsements. In August, Madison Reed signed name, image and likeness deals with four University of Connecticut women's basketball players, including Paige Bueckers, to promote its ColorWonder hair color product. Shekar Pollak sees her mission at Madison Reed as an extension of what she was able to achieve at both Athleta and Orvis. "I am honored to join Madison Reed, a female-founded, industry disrupting brand that is dedicated to inspiring women to unapologetically live their truth and feel unstoppable, confident and beautiful," Shekar Pollak said in a statement. "From launching 'The Power of She' brand platform at Athleta to Athleta Girl to inspire the next generation of girls to be confident, my most cherished career highlights have been rooted in building a passionate community that uplifts women and girls.' Madison Reed has made other executive changes in recent years. In 2023, it hired a chief revenue officer to lead its hair color bar business and e-commerce revenue operations, while also building new revenue streams. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Norwalk bakery products did not label certain allergens
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection Food and Standards Division (DCP) has issued a warning that several products from a Norwalk bakery may be recalled due to not listing potential allergens on the labels. Wave Hill Breads' Frozen Cookie Dough Logs sold at the Norwalk bakery and farmers markets had undeclared wheat, milk and soy. The affected products are 24-ounce Frozen Cookie Dough Logs for the flavors of Chocolate Chip, Snickerdoodle, Ginger Molasses and Oatmeal Cranberry. Madison Reed launches Paige Bueckers-inspired hair color shade The Wave Hill Breads website says their products are sold at farmers markets in Westport, Greenwich and Litchfield, as well as several others in New York City and Westchester. Their products are also sold in several retail stores in Connecticut and New York. The recalled items can be identified by its flavor on the label, which are in white parchment paper sealed with green twist ties, and its rolled log shape. Consumers who have purchased Wave Hill Breads' frozen cookie dough logs are urged to return it to Wave Hill Breads' retail location at 239 Westport Avenue in Norwalk, CT for a full refund. Anyone with questions about the recall may contact Wave Hill Breads at 203-762-9595. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
