Monday / May 29. 2023
menu-logo menu-logo
brand-logo
Subscribe
Subscribe
Monday / May 29. 2023
  • Read
    • Daily News
      • Financial
      • Insights
      • U.S.
      • International
    • Digital Issue
    • Cover Stories
    • Feature Articles
    • Company Spotlights
    • Executive Announcements
    • For You | For Your Field
    • Digital Selling Trends
    • Forward Thinking
    • Working Smart
    • From the Publisher
  • Listen & Watch
    • Direct Approach
    • Iconic Insights
    • Disruptors
    • The DSN Podcast
  • Attend
    • Upcoming Events
    • Direct Selling University
    • Global Celebration
    • Deep Dive Events
  • Achieve
    • Global 100 List
    • CCR Program
    • Best Places to Work
    • Bravo Awards
    • Legends
  • Research
    • Digital Momentum Index
    • Stock Watch
    • Stock Ticker
    • Supplier Directory
    • Resources
  • Engage
    • Supporter Program
    • VIP Text Alerts
  • About
    • About DSN
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise
    • Connect
  • Search
Subscribe

Direct Selling’s Pop-Culture Prominence: It’s All Good

BY Joseph Mariano | October 01, 2019 | read / Feature Articles

Avon, Mary Kay, Amway and countless more brands: direct selling is an integral part of the American consciousness. It’s not surprising references to us show up in popular culture all the time.

I’ve seen direct selling featured in movies and TV shows dating back decades. Media often refer to direct selling by focusing on flexibility and possible income opportunities—both those real and promised.

At DSA, I work to ensure that everyone has the full story about our remarkable business, what it does for people, and what we are doing to ensure that our salespeople and customers are getting the most from the channel.

Rarely does one see a or hear a commercial for a direct selling company: direct selling does not advertise. Our reputation is built from word-of-mouth by those who share their personal experiences.

As an industry, we tell our story to the media, with investors, and most significantly, to policymakers who want to understand the positive impact we have in their communities.

We all tell this story. Most recently, the industry has engaged in partnerships with hundreds of academics across the country to ensure that they and over 75,000 college students understand this economic engine.

In an age of misinformation and speculation, people sometimes get the facts wrong. What does surprise me is how so few get an outsized platform on social media or investor websites to misrepresent—or at least misstate—facts.

I often ponder the motives—financial and otherwise—behind these misguided campaigns.

Some benefited from short selling of stocks of companies they attack. Others served as “expert” witnesses in class action nuisance lawsuits designed to push settlements. One particular critic seems to spend more time criticizing direct selling than pursuing his professional duties as a college administrator.

Of course, I’m glad that people are paying attention to direct selling. We are a hidden giant in this new gig economy; we’ve provided modest opportunities to millions for generations.

Increased attention also results in increased scrutiny, and I am happy to entertain legitimate criticisms of our model because fact-based observations allow us to improve.

Direct Selling Association is committed to helping our members ensure the highest level of business ethics and service to consumers. In fact, the Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council is a direct result of the industry’s desire to follow regulators’ observations.

I am confident that even in an era of misinformation, direct selling will be understood to be doing the right thing, and that everyone—our sellers, customers, the general public, and our member companies—will benefit.

No doubt we will continue to see direct selling featured in movies, television, and the news. And maybe with a bit of luck and hard work, the portrayals we see will always be accurate, fun, and highlight all the good that direct selling does.

Posted in Feature Articles and tagged Amway, Avon, Direct Selling, Direct Selling Association, Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council, DSA, Mary Kay.
Related Articles
Take It to the Next Level May 17, 2023

Take It to the Next Level

Read more
Industry Superstars: 3 Consecutive Years of Growth May 12, 2023

Industry Superstars: 3 Consecutive Years of Growth

Read more
The Rise of Shein & Temu May 10, 2023

The Rise of Shein & Temu

Read more
brand-logo
The News You Need.
The Name You Trust.
Subscribe

Breaking global news, emerging trends and powerful stories conveniently curated to help direct selling executives stay informed, engaged and a step ahead.

  • Read
  • Listen & Watch
  • Attend
  • Achieve
  • Research
  • About
  • Connect
5717 Legacy Drive
Suite 250
Plano, Texas 75024
info@directsellingnews.com
Copyright 2023 Direct Selling News | All Rights Reserved
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT