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Coldplay Xylobands light up Devon company's profits | Coldplay Xylobands light up Devon company's profits |
(about 9 hours later) | |
By Jonathan Morris BBC News, Plymouth | By Jonathan Morris BBC News, Plymouth |
Inventor Jason Regler was facing bankruptcy and a failed relationship when he had an idea for a wristband that would glow in time with music. | Inventor Jason Regler was facing bankruptcy and a failed relationship when he had an idea for a wristband that would glow in time with music. |
Now nearly two million Xylobands have been made, thanks to Coldplay adopting them for their world tour, and Mr Regler is on a roll. | Now nearly two million Xylobands have been made, thanks to Coldplay adopting them for their world tour, and Mr Regler is on a roll. |
"I thought we must be mad," said Mr Regler who has an office in Honiton, Devon. "I was absolutely terrified that they were not going to work." | "I thought we must be mad," said Mr Regler who has an office in Honiton, Devon. "I was absolutely terrified that they were not going to work." |
The 43-year-old remembers unpacking 16,000 Xylobands that had been sent to Madrid for Coldplay's concert in October 2011. | The 43-year-old remembers unpacking 16,000 Xylobands that had been sent to Madrid for Coldplay's concert in October 2011. |
But with just three weeks from the time they were ordered by the band and the show, he had had no time to test them in an arena. | But with just three weeks from the time they were ordered by the band and the show, he had had no time to test them in an arena. |
"We had 25 people programming each one. After the show, I had no idea what the band had thought of it." | "We had 25 people programming each one. After the show, I had no idea what the band had thought of it." |
But when he got back to his hotel he had a message on his phone from lead singer Chris Martin saying they were "beautiful" and he wanted to do it again. | But when he got back to his hotel he had a message on his phone from lead singer Chris Martin saying they were "beautiful" and he wanted to do it again. |
Mr Regler's wristbands have now been an integral part of more than 60 Coldplay shows, along with balloons, confetti, lasers and of course the music. | Mr Regler's wristbands have now been an integral part of more than 60 Coldplay shows, along with balloons, confetti, lasers and of course the music. |
It is a huge leap forward for the firm which still employs only four people but is looking to expand. | It is a huge leap forward for the firm which still employs only four people but is looking to expand. |
"We're snowed under and we are looking to expand but it's all happened so quickly we haven't had time," he said. | "We're snowed under and we are looking to expand but it's all happened so quickly we haven't had time," he said. |
"We need more staff - we have even considered maybe partnering with someone." | "We need more staff - we have even considered maybe partnering with someone." |
The firm's success goes back to the summer of 2005. | The firm's success goes back to the summer of 2005. |
It had been making electronic technology for children's toys, but had to file for bankruptcy after another firm failed to pay for a year's work. | It had been making electronic technology for children's toys, but had to file for bankruptcy after another firm failed to pay for a year's work. |
"It was a really painful time," said Mr Regler, from Westbury in Wiltshire. | |
"I had moved out of the house and was living in the office. | "I had moved out of the house and was living in the office. |
"I had a couple of cans of beer and was watching Glastonbury on television when Coldplay came on." | "I had a couple of cans of beer and was watching Glastonbury on television when Coldplay came on." |
That is when the idea of a wristband came to mind, which glowed or flashed in time with music thanks to a tiny receiver inside. | That is when the idea of a wristband came to mind, which glowed or flashed in time with music thanks to a tiny receiver inside. |
Five years later he had the chance to pitch it to Coldplay after making the highest bid in a charity auction to meet the band. | Five years later he had the chance to pitch it to Coldplay after making the highest bid in a charity auction to meet the band. |
"Chris Martin loved it and ordered them for a couple of weeks' time, in Madrid," he said. | "Chris Martin loved it and ordered them for a couple of weeks' time, in Madrid," he said. |
"Madrid was the craziest time of my life. Within two months I was on a plane to Glasgow for the Coldplay world tour." | "Madrid was the craziest time of my life. Within two months I was on a plane to Glasgow for the Coldplay world tour." |
Since then the Xylobands have been on tour with the band and will possibly be seen at Coldplay's performance for the closing of the Paralympics. | Since then the Xylobands have been on tour with the band and will possibly be seen at Coldplay's performance for the closing of the Paralympics. |
A band member was quoted last year that the Xylobands cost £400,000 a show. | A band member was quoted last year that the Xylobands cost £400,000 a show. |
"It is a fraction of that," said Mr Regler. | "It is a fraction of that," said Mr Regler. |
"In fact they cost about £3 each, so a concert for 50,000 people would cost £150,000." | "In fact they cost about £3 each, so a concert for 50,000 people would cost £150,000." |
The band still consider them good value for money. | The band still consider them good value for money. |
After the success of Madrid, the band bought a share in the firm and the rights to a percentage of sales. | After the success of Madrid, the band bought a share in the firm and the rights to a percentage of sales. |
Newer versions are in the pipeline that can be used at home and have rechargeable batteries. | Newer versions are in the pipeline that can be used at home and have rechargeable batteries. |
Mr Regler wants to create a global event with the wristbands to raise money for good causes over four days "almost like a global Mexican wave". | Mr Regler wants to create a global event with the wristbands to raise money for good causes over four days "almost like a global Mexican wave". |
He said: "I really hope I get a chance or a way to do some good with them somehow. It was always part of the plan if they were successful to try and use them to raise money." | He said: "I really hope I get a chance or a way to do some good with them somehow. It was always part of the plan if they were successful to try and use them to raise money." |
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