Dude Wipes
 | |
| Industry | Consumer packaged goods |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2012 |
| Founders | Sean Dudlicek; Brian Wilkin; Ryan Meegan; Jeff Klimkowski |
| Headquarters | Chicago , US |
| Website | Dude Products |
Dude Wipes are a disposable wipe product manufactured by Dude Products, a personal care brand based in Chicago.[1] Dude Wipes was launched in 2012 and received the 2013 Visionary Award at the Vision 2013 Consumer Products Conference.[2][3]
History
Dude Wipes were invented by founders and childhood friends Sean Riley, Brian Wilkin, Ryan Meegan, and Jeff Klimkowski from their apartment in Chicago, Illinois in 2010.[4][5][6] It was marketed as a flushable personal wipe specifically for men, as an alternative to traditional baby wipes.[1]
The product became available to consumers in retail stores and online in 2012, and are now available in Kroger, Target, Meijer, Ralphs, and Bass Pro Shops nationwide.[7]
In 2015, the founders of Dude Products appeared on ABC reality television program Shark Tank, and secured a $300,000 investment from Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban for a 25% stake in the company.[8][9][4]
In 2018, Dude Products were selected by Walmart for nationwide distribution as part of their Made in the USA program, which pledged to source $250 billion in US-made products by 2023.[6][10][11]
In 2023, Dude Products reached a settlement in a class action lawsuit ( Darnall et al. v. Dude Products, Inc. Circuit Court of DuPage County, Illinois, 18th Judicial Circuit Case No. 2023LA000761) while continuing to deny any wrongdoing as well as denying the Class Representatives’ allegations that the wipes claimed to be flushable are not flushable. [12] Dude Wipes has agreed to a $9 million class action settlement [1]
Promotion
During UFC 174, Dude Wipes trended worldwide on Twitter after sponsoring fighter Tyron Woodley, with their logo appearing on his trunks.[13] Dude Products also sponsored UFC fighter Justine Kish after she lost control of her bowels in the ring during a choke hold.[14]
In 2015, Dude Wipes were featured on an episode of Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory.[15][1][16]
In 2016, signs for Dude Wipes appeared numerous times during Fox's broadcast of the 2016 World Series at Wrigley Field as part of a guerrilla marketing campaign.[17]
After Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Archie Bradley revealed in an interview that he had a bowel accident while pitching during a game, Dude Products sent him a shipment of Dude Wipes, which Bradley shared on social media and subsequently went viral.[18]
In October 2018, Dude Wipes struck an endorsement deal with New York Jets running back Isaiah Crowell after Crowell celebrated a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns by pretending to wipe his behind with the football.[19]
During WWE’s WrestleMania XL in April 2024, the Dude Wipes logo was consistently displayed, surrounding the ring and venue during matches, as millions watched the global event. They have gone on to sponsor other WWE premium live events including SummerSlam 2024 where announcer Pat McAfee referred to wrestler Dominik Mysterio on commentary as "a Dude Wipe after you wiped."
Motorsports
Dude Wipes, in 2018, began sponsoring Matt DiBenedetto and the No. 32 Go Fas Racing team in the NASCAR Cup Series beginning at Pocono in July.[20] In 2020, Anthony Alfredo became the ambassador for the brand while he drove in the NASCAR Xfinity Series with Richard Childress Racing. The company has followed Alfredo to the Cup Series and back to the Xfinity Series despite several changes in teams.[21]
The company also sponsored the Dude Wipes 250 at Martinsville Speedway.[22]
References
- ^ a b c Lukach, Adam (October 16, 2012). "Dude Wipes...For The Discerning Man--And Woman". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ "Unique wipe product selected from five finalists in competition at VISION 2013 Consumer Products Conference in Orlando". INDA.org. February 5, 2013.
- ^ White, Martha C. (June 6, 2013). "The Straight Poop on Dollar Shave Club's Wet Wipes For Guys". Time.
- ^ a b Braff, Danielle (October 17, 2015). "Mark Cuban takes a chunk of Dudes' bathroom wipes on 'Shark Tank'". Chicago Tribune.
- ^ Gelman, Joey (June 2, 2017). "This Dude used some Kabbage to sell toilet wipes". WGN.
- ^ a b Ivory, Erin (May 25, 2018). "The story of Dude Wipes". WGN.
- ^ Rosenfeld, Laura (October 16, 2015). "Where To Buy Dude Wipes From 'Shark Tank,' Which Are Exactly What They Sound Like". Bustle.
- ^ Lebowitz, Shana (October 17, 2015). "Mark Cuban Just Made A $300,000 Investment In Wipes For Guys' Butts". Business Insider.
- ^ Silverman, Lauren (November 30, 2015). "Wet Wipes: To Flush Or Not To Flush?". NPR.
- ^ DePillis, Lydia (July 17, 2015). "Wal-Mart's self-interested shot at reviving the American factory". Washington Post.
- ^ "Wipes, Just For Men, Reach Bigger Market". WBBM News Business Hour. April 27, 2018.
- ^ ""Darnall et al. v. Dude Products, Inc. Circuit Court of DuPage County, Illinois, 18th Judicial Circuit. Case No. 2023LA000761"". Kroll Settlements Administration, LLC. November 30, 2015.
- ^ "Making the Grade: Passes/Fails from UFC 174". Fox Sports. June 15, 2004.
- ^ Dicker, Ron (June 30, 2017). "UFC Fighter Who Pooped Herself Gets Sponsor Offers For Butt Wipes". Huffington Post.
- ^ Cullers, Rebecca (August 18, 2018). "Wipes, Just For Men, Reach Bigger Market". AdWeek.
- ^ Donnelly, Matthew Scott (January 22, 2015). "ROB DYRDEK ADMITS THIS IS THE DUMBEST THING HE'S EVER DONE". MTV. Archived from the original on January 26, 2015.
- ^ "Wipes, Just For Men, Reach Bigger Market". Barstool Sports. October 31, 2016.
- ^ Cwik, Chris (July 9, 2018). "Archie Bradley scores best possible endorsement after poop mishap goes viral". Yahoo Sports.
- ^ "Jets' Crowell makes best out of butt-wipeTD celebration". SI.com. Retrieved 2018-10-07.
- ^ "DUDE Products to sponsor DiBenedetto and the Go Fas Racing Ford at Pocono". ESPN.com. July 23, 2018.
- ^ "DUDE Wipes Re-Ups with Anthony Alfredo for NASCAR Xfinity Series". DUDE Wipes. Retrieved 2024-09-09.
- ^ Staff Report (March 7, 2024). "DUDE Wipes and Martinsville Speedway Join Forces for NASCAR Xfinity Race in April". Martinsville Speedway.