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Once stocks are split, all percentage data is reflective of the split. Direct Selling News has based this information on sources believed to be reliable; while efforts have been made to assure its accuracy, no guarantee can be made.
by Katherine B. Ponder
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose/ By any other name would smell as sweet.” —Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene IIby Barbara Seale
In the fall of 2009 Silpada Designs Co-Founders Bonnie Kelly, Teresa Walsh and Co-Founder and CEO Jerry Kelly began to consider partnerships that would help their sterling silver jewelry company continue to thrive for years to come. They had lofty standards. Their high expectations paid off in early July, when Avon announced that it would acquire Silpada Designs for $650 million.Who do you think is making a Positive Difference in supporting and enhancing the Growth and Public Perception of the direct selling business model? We encourage you to take a moment to reflect on those you know and nominate a person you have observed to be making a positive difference.
On the Cover Tales of Whoa!—When and How Rebranding Is the Right Move “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose/ By any other name would smell as sweet.” —Romeo and Juliet, Act II, Scene II Shakespeare’s phrase may be true, but who among us, as modern consumers, would even give a trial sniff to a flower that has a less than alluring name? So it is with corporate branding, and rebranding is even more challenging.
The big news within the industry over the past 30 days has been the Avon acquisition of Silpada! When we saw the first release come through we could only think: “WOW! What a story!” Having been around the direct selling industry for many years it was not difficult for me to remember the beginnings of Silpada, for it was only about 13 years ago that they started. If you don’t know the story, it is definitely worth a trip to their website to browse this company and review its beginnings and its mission. Talk about dreams coming true, this is quite a story, but there are many stories within this story.
by Tori Brown
Amway’s Corporate Citizenship Program has been around for a long time, even before it was named. Jesse Hertstein, Amway Senior Corporate Citizenship Specialist says, “Before we started calling it Corporate Citizenship, it was just a way we did business—an ethic and value that was baked into the DNA of our company.” Originating as simply helping out in the local community, Corporate Citizenship has now grown into a central, not to mention global, part of the Amway culture that’s been fostered since it was founded by Rich DeVos and Jay Van Andel. “When we talk about Amway, we talk about Corporate Citizenship and our charitable initiatives around the world, and it’s just part of the Amway experience, whether you are an employee or a distributor,” Hertstein says.Dear Readers, First of all, I would like to introduce myself to you! My name is Kathy Slater, and I am the new managing editor of Direct Selling News Europe. I have worked as assistant editor to Paul Southworth on our European publication since its inception in 2008.
by Lauri Dodd
Thirty-One Gifts is turning heads for their ability to rack up incredible growth numbers, while maintaining a close-knit family feel.by Barbara Seale
If the history of financial services direct seller Primerica were captured in a book, its latest chapter would have opened on April 1. For Primerica, that wasn’t April Fools’ Day. It was Independence Day—the day of its initial public offering (IPO), one of the most successful Wall Street has ever seen.Second-Quarter 2010 Results Herbalife Ltd. Announces Record Second Quarter Herbalife Ltd. (HLF—NYSE) reported second-quarter net sales increased 20.5 percent to $688.8 million. The record revenue reflects volume point growth of 19.9 percent and an increase in average active sales leaders of 11.9 percent, both compared to the second quarter of 2009. For the quarter ended June 30, 2010, the company reported net income of $81.9 million, or $1.32 per diluted share, compared to $48.3 million or 77 cents per diluted share in the second quarter of 2009.
by Gordon Morton
The recent month-long global saga of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa provided plenty of dramatic moments and proved the power of sports to bring people together across cultures. At XanGo LLC, we’ve experienced the benefits of pioneering sports sponsorships. Under the right circumstances, such a partnership could be an effective marketing tool for your company, too.with Richard Wright
Reputation is everything in the game plan for success. Behind every successful business is a reputation of excellence. How would you grade yours? Do you know or care? You should.by Kimberly Medaglia
One need only look at the growing number of brand marketers using virtual events to see the industry’s rapid growth. In 2009, The Event Marketing Institute cited 300 percent growth in this sector. In addition, a 2009 report by American Business Media and Forrester Research found that 75 percent of business decision makers said they attended three or more Web-based events during the past 12 months.by Cortney C. Carroll
After months of internal meetings, site visits, late nights and planning, the first day of the annual convention is finally here! At the registration desk, everything is calm and organized as attendees from all over the country eagerly line up to receive their conference packet full of important information regarding general sessions, breakouts and events to be held during the convention. Behind the scenes, however, there is a different scene full of last-minute changes to scripts, finishing touches on the stage, audio-visual setup, VIP arrivals, room gifts, airport transfers, lost luggage and unimaginable organized chaos. All of these details are carefully arranged and facilitated by the meeting planner.The Direct Selling Association community recently suffered the loss of two devoted servants of the industry: DSA Vice President of Finance Kathy Lindner and DSA Vice President of Research Eileen O’Neill. Between them, they worked for DSA for nearly 65 years. Along the way, they impacted many lives, both directly and indirectly. They were friends and colleagues to many and will be sorely missed.
