In this episode of ICONS, Roman Kirsch interviews Charlie Bowes-Lyon, Co-founder and CMO of Wild, the refillable deodorant brand recently acquired by Unilever. Starting with a mission to remove single-use plastic from the bathroom, Wild transformed a £5 million UK natural deodorant market into a global sustainable brand worth hundreds of millions. By rejecting the traditional "eco-aesthetic" and instead creating colorful, lifestyle-focused products, Wild made sustainability approachable for mainstream consumers. Their journey from launch during COVID lockdowns to a major Unilever acquisition demonstrates how purpose-driven products can achieve commercial success when product quality and brand experience take priority over sustainability messaging.
Topics Discussed:- Creating a sustainable brand that appeals to mainstream consumers beyond eco-conscious audiences
- Developing a refillable deodorant product that's environmentally-friendly without compromising on quality
- Executing a multi-channel, multi-geography marketing strategy to reduce dependency risks
- Using limited edition scents and case designs to drive both acquisition and retention
- Building a community-driven product development process
- Navigating retail expansion both domestically and internationally
- Managing the acquisition process with Unilever while maintaining brand integrity
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