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EVOLUTION

EVOLUTION

May 28, 1996
Founded in 1996

Wil Power Entertainment (WPE), founded in 1996, is a full-service lifestyle marketing agency.  

May 29, 2018
Agency Connects With 100 Million Customers Through Hair.

For its impressive brand activations, Wil Power Entertainment has an unexpected advantage: its vast network of over 100,000 independent salons and barbershops across the country. And this strategy seems to be paying off.  

March 3, 2019
Media Capabilities

Today’s toughest marketing challenges lie in making a real connection with African American consumer. Wil Power Integrated Marketing (WPIM) makes that happen.

WHO WE ARE

Wil Power Integrated Marketing (WPIM), founded in 1996, is a consumer engagement company specializing in African American beauty salons and barbershops. These spaces are more than businesses—they are cultural institutions deeply woven into the Black community.

Our founder, Wil Shelton, a licensed hairstylist with 27 years of industry experience and a former salon owner, recognized the untapped potential of beauty professionals as tastemakers. Hairstylists and barbers don’t just shape hair—they shape culture, driving trends and influencing billion-dollar decisions.

WHAT WE DO

WPIM gives brands unmatched access to the heart of the Black hair experience. By activating barbershops and salons as marketing hubs, we connect brands to authentic, culturally rich consumer engagement.

HOW WE DELIVER

  • Reach: A network of 50,000 salons and barbershops, connecting with 30 million consumers nationwide.

  • Digital Influence: A 15MM unduplicated social media footprint amplifies our offline campaigns.

  • Cultural Expertise: Decades of credibility within the Black beauty industry ensure our activations resonate authentically.

WHY IT MATTERS

Black consumers drive $1.6 trillion in spending power annually, yet salons and barbershops are underutilized by marketers. These spaces are cultural hubs where connections are built, trends are created, and communities thrive.

Through campaigns with brands like Netflix and Snoop Dogg’s Dr. Bombay Ice Cream, WPIM has proven that these institutions drive ROI by delivering authentic engagement.

OUR SUCCESS STORIES

  • Netflix: Paul vs. Tyson Campaign
    WPIM partnered with Netflix to create buzz for Paul vs. Tyson through barbershop activations, sparking conversations and driving grassroots excitement.

  • Snoop Dogg’s Dr. Bombay Ice Cream
    By integrating Dr. Bombay Ice Cream into barbershops, including branded capes and community giveaways, WPIM helped generate $10 million in revenue in its first year, proving the power of barbershops as tastemaker hubs.

THE WPIM DIFFERENCE

  • WHAT: We give brands access to the cultural capital of salons and barbershops.

  • HOW: Through a trusted network of 50K barbershops and a combined reach of 30MM consumers.

  • WHY: We connect brands authentically to communities, driving influence and measurable results.

GLOBAL NETWORK

 

West Palm Beach - Charlotte - Myrtle Beach - Norfolk - Phoenix/Flagstaff, AZ - Orlando, FL - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Miami, FL - Jacksonville, FL Detroit, MI - Jackson, MS - St. Louis, MS - Las Vegas, NV - Milwaukee - Philly - Pittsburgh - Memphis, TN - Nashville, TN - Houston , TX - Dalllas/Ft. Worth, TX - Austin, TX - San Antonio, TX - Beaumont - Columbus, OH - Atlanta, GA - Lafayette, LA - Baton Rouge, LA - New Orleans, LA - Shreveport - Monroe - Gary, IN - Indy, IN - Raleigh/Durham, NC - Charlotte - Columbus, SC - Burmingham, AL - New York, NY - Los Angeles, CA - Chicago, IL - San Francisco, CA - Oakland, CA - Washington, DC - Baltimore, MD

LET'S COLLABORATE

  • Ready to make an impact? Let WPIM help you tap into the cultural power of beauty salons and barbershops to amplify your brand and connect authentically.

WHAT WE DO

 

EXPERIENTIAL MARKETING
Tour Management, Event Planning
In-Market awareness, Street Teams
Screenings (TV Films)

CREATIVE
Creative Consulting
Advertising
Urban Salon Advertising

LIFESTYLE MARKETING
Faith-Based (Churches)
Black Colleges (HBCU)
Urban Professionals

 

IINTEGRATED MARKETING & PUBLICITY
Marketing Strategy
Brand Development
Outreach

ABOUT WILPOWER

OUR

WORK

WORK
OUR PARTNERS

OUR 

PARTNERS

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MEET THE PRINCIPAL

In the rhythm of clippers humming and the symphony of salon conversations, Wil Shelton found his calling. As President & CEO of Wil Power Integrated Marketing, he's transformed his intimate understanding of Black beauty culture into a revolutionary marketing force that connects global brands with the heartbeat of our communities—the salons and barbershops that shape culture from the ground up.

From behind the chair as a salon owner and stylist, Wil saw what Madison Avenue couldn't: the untapped power of these sacred spaces where trust isn't bought—it's earned. This insight birthed Wil Power Integrated Marketing, now a pioneering force in multicultural marketing that doesn't just reach audiences; it resonates with them.

Today, Wil orchestrates a network of over 50,000 African American salons and barbershops nationwide, creating authentic touchpoints that reach more than 30 million consumers annually and engage 15 million across social media. But numbers only tell part of the story. What sets Wil apart is his ability to translate cultural currency into business success, understanding that multicultural marketing isn't just a division—it's the future of brand growth.

Under his visionary leadership, global powerhouses like Amazon, Netflix, AT&T, and Snoop Dogg have found their authentic voice in the community through campaigns that don't just speak to the multicultural consumer—they speak with them. Each partnership is crafted with the precision of a master barber and the creativity of a veteran stylist, ensuring every brand interaction feels as natural as the conversations flowing through these cultural hubs.

As an industry pioneer, Wil embodies the perfect blend of entrepreneurial fire and cultural wisdom. He's not just building campaigns; he's building bridges between brands and communities, always pushing beyond "good enough" toward excellence. His approach combines the sharp eye of a strategist with the heart of a community leader, making him not just a CEO, but a cultural curator who transforms brand possibilities into cultural impact.

Known for his passionate leadership and innovative thinking, Wil continues to reshape the marketing landscape by proving that authentic cultural connections aren't just good ethics—they're good business. His expertise in brand building, business sustainability, and revenue growth through value management has made him the go-to voice for brands seeking to move beyond traditional marketing into genuine cultural conversation.

In Wil's world, every campaign is an opportunity to celebrate and elevate our community's voice, turning brand moments into cultural movements.

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Wil Shelton

President & CEO of Wil Power Integrated Marketing

MEET THE PRINCIPAL

AT&T CODES OF CULTURE

IT'S A (773) THING

Chicago Salon

IT'S A (347) THING

New York Barber

PROJECTS

SALONS IN ACTION: WHERE CULTURE MEETS COMMERCE

In the sacred spaces where stories flow as freely as coffee and styling products, Wil Power Integrated Marketing orchestrates something extraordinary—we turn everyday salon moments into powerful brand connections that resonate deep within the community.

Think of our network as a living, breathing ecosystem of influence. Within these 50,000+ African American salons and barbershops, we don't just place advertisements—we plant seeds of authentic engagement that grow into lasting brand relationships. Like a master stylist who knows exactly how to customize a look for each client, we tailor each campaign to speak the language of the culture while delivering measurable results for our partners.

Our approach transforms these trusted community hubs into strategic marketing powerhouses:

• Brand Loyalty Cultivation: We nurture authentic connections between brands and consumers where trust already exists—in the chairs where life-changing conversations happen daily

• Cultural Intelligence Gathering: Our network provides real-time insights into consumer preferences, trending conversations, and cultural shifts before they hit mainstream radar

• Community-Powered Marketing: Through custom-designed promotional materials, branded salon essentials, and integrated digital campaigns, we create touchpoints that feel as natural as the relationships between stylists and their clients

• Market Research in Motion: Every conversation, every campaign, every connection generates valuable data about what truly resonates with our community

This isn't just marketing—it's cultural conversation at scale. By embedding brands within these influential spaces, we're not just helping companies reach new markets; we're helping them become part of the community's fabric.

When you partner with Wil Power, you're not just accessing a network; you're tapping into a cultural force that turns brand awareness into brand belonging. Here, every campaign is an opportunity to write your brand into the ongoing story of our community.

Let's create something authentic together.

SALONS IN ACTION

TESTIMONIALS

WHAT PEOPLE SAY

My team had the privilege of working with Wil to promote one of our original series. Wil was incredibly enthusiastic, supportive, and solutions-oriented as we worked together to brand his network of barbershops, give back to the community, and drive awareness and viewership for our show. He was a true joy to work with and we couldn't be more pleased with how the giveaways and fan engagement turned out.

— Jerry Chang, Director Originals Marketing

Paramount+

TESTIMONIALS
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TOUCH

TALK TO US!

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We LOVE hearing our client's stories.
Please share your story with us, so we can share with others.  

If you would like to learn about our network, or become a member, let us know!

And when you're ready to promote your event or project to our audience, we can share more details of our exclusive marketing options.

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