brand-logo
Subscribe

Avon Products, Inc. Down 2% for 2018

by Leave a Comment

Avon Products, Inc. (NYSE: AVP) today announced its results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

For the fourth quarter 2018, total revenue was $1.4 billion, a decrease of 10 percent year-over-year. Active Representatives declined 6 percent.

For the fiscal year 2018, total revenue was $5.57 billion, a decrease of 2 percent year-over-year. Active Representatives declined 5 percent

“We are in the initial stages of our turn-around plan with fourth-quarter results showing sequential improvement in revenue trends in 4 of our top 5 markets, as well as some early signs of progress against our core strategies,” said Avon CEO Jan Zijderveld. “As I wrap up my first year at Avon, we have a clear strategy to Open Up Avon and are taking the necessary steps to return this company to growth. We understand that the foundation of our success lies in the training and retention of our Representatives. Empowering women to build successful businesses and generate relevant earnings in countries around the world will, in turn, enable us to grow. This is a large task that involves the efforts of every employee and Representative. It will take time but introducing training programs that empower women to become trusted advisors to their customers and sell higher value products, bundles and regimens help to improve Her earnings, and thereby Her success.”

 

To read the entire Avon Q4 2018 report, click here.

Kathleen Earle Named MyDailyChoice/Hempworx COO

by Leave a Comment

Las Vegas-based MyDailyChoice/Hempworx recently announced that Kathleen Earle has been appointed chief operating officer.

In her new role, Earle will be responsible for building the processes and structure to support the growth of founders Josh and Jenna Zwagil, including a new home office.

Earle is a 25-year veteran of the network marketing industry. She was first introduced to the industry by her mother, who had been an Avon lady. “Within a week I knew I would never leave the industry,” Earle said. “I loved it and I found my career.”

Hendrick Motorsports Names AdvoCare Official Nutrition Partner

by Leave a Comment

Hendrick Motorsports recently announced that the team has aligned with health and wellness company AdvoCare as its official nutrition partner through the 2020 season.

AdvoCare’s suite of nutritional and sports performance products will be used by HMS’s pit crews and teams in the NASCAR Cup series. The company’s products will be used in the team’s human performance areas, including its gym, training center, pit stop practice area and athletic field. AdvoCare also will work with HMS to develop digital content and promotional programs.

“Like Hendrick Motorsports, AdvoCare has long been committed to a high level of human performance,” said Patrick Perkins, vice president of marketing for Hendrick Motorsports. “They are a leader in health and wellness and have a terrific legacy in our sport over many years. We are proud to partner with AdvoCare and know their products will benefit our athletes and teams, from high-performance training to recovery. It’s a great fit for our organization.”

AdvoCare is Hendrick Motorsports’ 18th new partner or partnership renewal since January 2018.

Kay Nemoto Named Avon Products, Inc. Chief Strategy and HR Officer

by Leave a Comment

Avon Products, Inc. announced it has appointed Kay Nemoto as senior vice president chief enablement officer and chief human resources officer.

In this new role Nemoto will lead the change management and cultural overhaul underpinning Avon’s transformation. She will join Avon’s Executive Committee and report to CEO Jan Zijderveld.

“I’m delighted to be securing talent of Kay’s calibre to power our transformation,” said Zijderveld.  “She has high personal accountability and drive, and a deep understanding of the role that culture plays in delivering our strategy to Open Up Avon. What’s more, she is obsessive about putting the needs of our millions of Beauty Entrepreneurs at the forefront of decisions and actions. I’m excited to see what she can do in this new role as we open up Avon to future growth.”

According to the company, Nemoto has already been playing an integral role in Avon’s transformation while on secondment from Avon’s strategic partners Cerberus Operations & Advisory Company (COAC). She’s been involved in building the strategy and plans to “Open Up” Avon to growth, has sound knowledge of all areas of the business and a passion for the business model.

“This is an amazing opportunity to be part of the team that drives Avon’s transformation and opens up value and growth.” Said Nemoto. “Since working with Avon I’ve been astounded by the power of the iconic brand, the potential of the business model and the fantastic opportunity we have to leverage Avon’s associates across the world to deliver change and future success. We’ll continue to inject and leverage talent and will prioritize implementation of culture and change management to deliver growth through making our Representatives successful.”

Nemoto brings over 23 years of experience in consultancy and advisory roles, including with Ernst & Young and AlixPartners. As operating executive at COAC, she successfully led teams supporting turnarounds at multiple companies.

Iconic Longaberger Basket Headquarters for Sale

by Leave a Comment

One of the world’s most “unusual,” “bizarre” or “coolest” buildings in the United States, depending upon your perspective, is up for sale.

The iconic headquarters of the Longaberger Company is currently being marketed by NAI Ohio River Corridor’s Laurie Stanbro throughout the Midwest region. Utilizing the NAI Global, SIOR and CCIM network of offices and agents as well as regional and state economic development agencies, the building is getting exposure domestically and internationally.

“This building has had tremendous exposure worldwide due to its unique architecture and would make a perfect home for a tech company, professional services group, even a petrochemical or plastic company capitalizing on the natural gas and NGL’s found in the Shale Crescent area of Ohio,” said Stanbro. “This building is the perfect way to differentiate your business. How could anyone miss a seven-story basket less than 30 minutes from Columbus, Ohio?”

Built in 1997, the Longaberger building is listed in the Lonely Planets’ book Amazing Architecture: A Spotter’s Guide as one of the 120 world’s greatest human constructions. The architecture of the building shaped as the company’s biggest seller, “Medium Market Basket,” distinguishes itself from all the other bricks and glass structures that lack architecture originality.

Located in Newark, Ohio, the seven-story, 180,000-square-foot basket stands on 21.5 acres. Built at a cost of $32 million, it features C-suite offices, conference rooms, cafe, theatre, fitness center and 30,000-square-foot atrium.

The sale price of the building is currently undisclosed.

Youngevity to Acquire Hemp-Based CBD Extraction Equipment Manufacturer

by Leave a Comment

Youngevity International (NASDAQ: YGYI) announced that it has entered into a binding agreement to purchase all the assets of Khrysos Global, a manufacturer of hemp-based CBD extraction equipment.

The acquisition is intended to establish YGYI’s newly formed wholly owned subsidiary, Khrysos Industries, Inc, as a global player in the field-to-finish hemp-CBD oil, isolate and distillate market. It also would give YGYI ownership of INX Labs and its testing facilities, allowing the company capabilities in regard to formulation, quality control and testing standards with its CBD products.

“I’m ecstatic about this purchase and what it signals for this moment in our company’s history,” said Dave Briskie, president and CFO of YGYI. “The purchase of the assets of Khrysos Global should be the catalyst that launches YGYI into the hemp-CBD space. We expect it will serve as a cornerstone of our comprehensive strategy as it relates to the production, cultivation and extraction of hemp, CBD oil, as well as other CBs (cannabinoids).”

“Our agreement to acquire Khrysos is extremely exciting on a number of levels,” said YGYI CEO and Chairman of the Board Steve Wallach. “Beyond the fact that we believe Khrysos’ hemp-CBD extraction technology is far more efficient than most anything else on the market, we’re acquiring a turn-key business model here. Their systems are applicable to the entire industry and are immediately implementable across our own line of HempFX™ products, as well as in offtake agreements we have through our existing business relationships. We see this as providing not only immense value to our company, but also to our investors since we’ll be selling not just the extraction systems, but also generating income servicing and operating these systems via a rental model.”

The agreement to purchase the assets of Khrysos is just the latest move in YGYI’s increasing stake in the rapidly growing hemp-CBD market. In January, the company entered into an exclusive cross-marketing agreement with Icelandic Glacial bottled water with the expressed intent of developing a ready-to-drink CBD product with the company.

“For us, this partnership with YGYI was a unique proposition which we could not turn down,” said Dwayne Dundore, president of Khrysos. “We already have ongoing production operations and existing customers from coast to coast, so being able to partner with YGYI to upscale our extraction processes should provide a huge mutual benefit for both companies.”

Per the purchase agreement, all assets of Khrysos Global are to be acquired by YGYI, including all real property, joint venture agreements, contracts rights, intellectual property, trademarks, copyrights and service marks in exchange for a total consideration of $16,000,000, of which 1,794,972 shares of common stock (having a deemed value of $14,000,000) and $500,000 shall be paid at closing. In addition, YGYI agreed to issue to the principals of Khrysos, subject to the approval of stockholders and The Nasdaq Stock Market, contingent consideration warrants to purchase up to 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $10 per share upon the achievement of certain revenue and net income milestones.

The closing of the transactions contemplated by the purchase agreement is scheduled for February 15, 2019 and is subject to the satisfaction of various closing conditions. In accordance with the acquisition, Khrysos will provide ongoing consulting and advisory services to YGYI as it pertains to the manufacturing of its proprietary technology, as well as the production of both CBD extracts and finished goods.

Mannatech Celebrates 25 Years

by Leave a Comment

Mannatech, Incorporated is celebrating 25 years of operations with its independent sales associates at eight different MannaFest-type gatherings around the world.

“Arriving at the 25-year mark is a big deal for any business, but especially for a direct sales company,” said Alfredo “Al” Bala, CEO and president of Mannatech. “Many companies have come and gone in the last 25 years, but here we are operating in 26 countries and still transforming lives through Glyconutrition.”

Mannatech is celebrating throughout the year with eight unique MannaFest-type conferences in the USA, Korea, Macau, Australia, South Africa, Japan, UK and Mexico.

The North America MannaFest will be held April 3-6 in Arlington, Texas, and will feature two new products which represent new market possibilities for Mannatech.

“The products we plan to introduce at MannaFest 2019 in Texas will be game-changers,” explained Bala. “These are products that Mannatech Associates will find very easy to share, because they offer exactly the type of health benefits that many people are looking for.”

Direct Selling-Style Retail Expected to Thrive in UK in 2019

by Leave a Comment

Retailers using a business model similar to Tupperware parties or Avon’s door-to-door selling are expected to see strong growth in the UK this year.

According to a story in the Retail Gazette, an independently sourced news organization covering the UK’s diverse retail industry, the UK Direct Selling Association (DSA) said it expected to see strong growth within the sector amid a resurgence in popularity for social selling.

The prediction from the DSA, which represents brands such as Avon, Usborne Books at Home and The Body Shop at Home, was made by the newly appointed DSA director general Susannah Schofield. It comes as The Body Shop recently highlighted its direct selling arm as its main growth channel and the announcement back in November that Avon is planning to rebrand for the Instagram generation.

“Amidst continued decline on the high street, and almost 60 years after the first Tupperware parties and Avon arrived in the UK, direct selling is starting to see a resurgence in popularity,” Schofield said. “Consumer trends such as the demand for increasingly personalized retail ‘experiences’ are providing significant opportunities for growth in the sector. After all, it doesn’t get much more personal than trying a new moisturizer in your friend’s living room.”

Schofield said that the direct selling industry is benefitting from a millennial generation looking for more entrepreneurial ways of earning, which is helping to boost the sector’s independent salesforce and leading to the development of new, younger customer bases.

“It’s due to such factors that I expect 2019 to be a year of strong growth for many of our member companies, despite challenges such as Brexit,” Schofield said.

Research recently undertaken by Ipsos MORI outlined that under-34s now make up 23 per cent of those working in direct selling in the UK. The DSA predicts the younger demographic will be a key growth trend over future years as new generations reject the traditional 9-to-5 work structure in favor of portfolio careers and entrepreneurial styles of working. The DSA said this trend is also prompting an evolution of home selling parties taking place online via Skype or Facebook Live, with neighbors and friends joining from the comfort of their own sofa via a laptop of mobile.

Amway Reports 2018 Sales of $8.8 Billion

by Leave a Comment

Amway announced sales of $8.8 billion for the year ending December 31, 2018, a 2 percent increase over 2017 sales numbers.

The company said growth was broad-based across many of its top markets including China, the U.S., Thailand and India.

“Amway’s growth in sales is a result of our sharp focus on the experience Amway Business Owners and their customers have buying, selling and using Amway products,” said Amway Co-Chairman Steve Van Andel. “We’ll continue to make investments that enable every possible opportunity for ABO success.”

Amway attributes sales growth to significant investments in digital tools and mobile experiences as well as product innovations that have helped ABOs attract and retain more customers. This includes enabling more e-commerce and social selling, connecting additional products with digital experiences, and personalizing more nutrition and beauty products. The results of investments in e-commerce are most evident in China, Amway’s largest market and a leader in the business’ digital innovations. In 2018, 70 percent of Amway China sales were made through mobile orders.

“Amway is capitalizing on the world’s growing appetite for e-commerce,” said Amway Co-Chairman Doug DeVos. “Momentum is building, investments in digital and innovative products are increasing, and healthy, steady growth is anticipated to continue for the foreseeable future.”

According to the company, sales in nutrition and wellness were 52 percent of Amway’s market sales, up 3 percent from 2017. Beauty and personal care were 26 percent, up 1 percent.

Amway is celebrating its 60th year of business in 2019.

Avon CEO Rings Closing Bell at NYSE

by Leave a Comment

The New York Stock Exchange recently welcomed Avon Products Inc. (NYSE: AVP) to celebrate more than 130 years of championing economic empowerment for women around the world.

Avon CEO Jan Zijderveld was invited to ring the closing bell. He was joined by several Avon executives and guests.

The 133-year-old Avon was founded in 1886 by book salesman David H. McConnell as the California Perfume Company. Upon noticing women taking more interest in the sample perfume bottles he gave away with purchases, McConnell realized he could offer women the opportunity to become entrepreneurs by selling perfumes to one another.

McConnell manufactured his own line of perfumes and then recruited a team of women to be Sales Representatives. The very first saleswoman was the iconic Avon lady, Mrs. P.F.E. Albee.

The California Perfume Company was incorporated in New York in 1912. In 1939, the company was renamed Avon.

Tupperware Brands Announces 2019 Global Links Scholar

by Leave a Comment

Tupperware Brands Corporation recently announced that Dr. Denise Poiani Delboni of Brazil is the next scholar to be selected to its cross-cultural exchange program Global Links.

The program, co-founded with the Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College and supported by U.S. Department of State’s Office of Global Women’s Issues, is designed to build capacity for women’s social entrepreneurship and engage established female business or economics professors working at universities in the chosen country.

Dr. Delboni was chosen following a competitive selection process. A professor of Labor Law, Compliance, and Labor and Employment Relations at Fundação Getúlio Vargas (FGV) and Escola Superior de Propaganda e Marketing (ESPM) in Brazil, she has focused her career on advancing entrepreneurial opportunities for women in her home country.

“I am honored to be selected by the Global Links program and to be given the opportunity to expose the next generation of leaders to learnings from a leading academic institution and a global corporation,” said Dr. Delboni.

The first phase of the Global Links program starts with Dr. Delboni joining Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College to participate in training and classes focused on entrepreneurship and sustainable business practices. At the latter part of the phase, Dr. Delboni will complete a hands-on externship focused on business fundamentals at Tupperware Brands global headquarters in Orlando. Following her immersion in the United States, Dr. Delboni will return to Brazil for the second phase of the program where she will work with her students to partner with local non-profits or social enterprises to implement economic empowerment projects with women who are small business owners on the ground. The third and final phase of the program will see the scholar selecting a group of students to return to the United States and provide insight to the program’s stakeholders about their experience, the measurable impact of the program and its multiplier effect.

The 2019 program follows three successful programs with participants from Iraq and India, addressing societal and educational barriers to labor force entry and economic empowerment.

Mary Kay Inc. Recognized by Forbes for Diversity

by Leave a Comment

Mary Kay Inc. announced that it has been recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Employers for Diversity 2019.

Mary Kay is ranked number 150 of the 500 companies on the list.

“What sets Mary Kay apart is its enthusiastic adherence to the principles on which Mary Kay Ash, our founder, formed the company,” said Melinda Sellers, chief people officer. “She believed that everyone wore an invisible sign around their neck that read ‘make me feel important.’ We think she was right and use that philosophy in all of our diversity efforts.”

The top 500 of America’s Best Employers for Diversity were chosen based on an independent survey from a representative sample of 50,000 employees working for companies employing at least 1,000 people in their U.S. operations. For the majority of the company’s score, respondents were asked open-ended questions on a series of statements surrounding the topics of age, gender equality, ethnicity, disability, LGBTQ+ and general diversity concerning their own employer. The rankings were aggregated using four criteria: Direct Recommendations, Indirect Recommendations, Diversity Among Top Executives/Board Members and Diversity KPIs.

“We’re proud to be recognized by Forbes as one of America’s Best Employers for Diversity,” added Sellers. “At Mary Kay, we know our commitment to diversity makes us stronger.”