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Lori Bush Appointed New Avon Chairwoman of the Board of Managers

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New York City-based New Avon LLC recently announced that Lori Bush has been appointed chairwoman of the company’s Board of Managers, effective immediately. She succeeds Jack Stahl, who has served as chairman since June 2016.

“The Board of Managers and I look forward to working with Lori in this expanded capacity and are confident that she will be a strong partner to Chief Executive Officer Scott White in driving New Avon’s strategic growth agenda,” said Chan Galbato, chief executive officer of Cerberus Operations and Advisory Company, LLC, and member of New Avon Board of Managers. “Lori shares our strong belief in New Avon’s potential, and brings the visionary leadership required for this next stage of the company’s journey.”

Bush served as president and CEO of Rodan + Fields from October 2007 through January 2016. During her tenure, the company re-launched under a social commerce model that grew to become a billion-dollar business and one of the largest skincare brands in the U.S.  Bush has been an advocate for women’s quality of life, speaking at industry and academic events and writing a number of papers dealing with health, beauty and women’s leadership. She co-authored the bestselling beauty and wellness book, Write Your Skin a Prescription for Change.

“I’m honored to take on the chairwoman role at this iconic brand at a time when the social commerce channel is rapidly transforming to become more relevant than ever,” said Bush. “I am excited to work with the New Avon Board and Leadership Team to positively impact the lives of our Avon Representatives and their customers.  I believe the success of Avon will strengthen the channel, and importantly, strengthen the opportunity for the millions of direct sellers across hundreds of companies in the U.S. who depend on the sharing economy for their livelihoods.”

Reliv Q2 Net Sales Down 15%

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Chesterfield, Mo.-based Reliv International, Inc. recently reported its financial results for the second quarter of 2018. Net sales for the quarter were $8.5 million, compared with net sales of $10.0 million in the second quarter of 2017.

Net sales in the United States decreased to $6.3 million in the second quarter of 2018, which represented a 15 percent decline in net sales when compared to the prior-year quarter. Net sales in Reliv’s foreign markets decreased 17 percent in the second quarter of 2018 compared with the prior-year quarter. Net sales in Europe and Asia decreased by 21.2 percent and 10.5 percent, respectively, in the second quarter of 2018, along with decreases in all other regions except for Mexico.

“We continue the work of revitalizing sales in the United States and other markets around the Reliv world,” said CEO Ryan A. Montgomery.  “The results of the second quarter are not indicative of the process that’s underway. We have a number of initiatives in progress that we believe will lead to better results for the remainder of 2018 and forward.”

As of June 30, 2018, Reliv had 31,140 distributors and preferred customers—a decrease of 11.3 percent from June 30, 2017—of which 3,200 are Master Affiliate level and above. The number of Master Affiliates decreased by 14.2 percent compared to the year-ago total. Master Affiliate is the level at which distributors are eligible to earn generation royalties.

Montgomery stated the initiatives in progress include further product development, technology enhancements, refocus of distributor incentives and streamlining international operations.

Youngevity Reports Q2 Revenue Up 6.6%

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Chula Vista, Calif.-based Youngevity International, a leading omni-direct lifestyle company, recently reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018. Total revenues increased 6.6 percent to $44.3 million.

“We are encouraged to see our revenue and adjusted EBITDA bounce back from the levels achieved last year,” said Steve Wallach, CEO and co-founder of Youngevity. “A 6.6 percent revenue increase and over a $1.3 million improvement in operating income comparing the same quarter 2017 to 2018 is a step in the right direction.  I am most encouraged by the contribution coming from our global expansion, which contributed over 17 percent of our direct selling revenue.”

In the second quarter, revenues increased 6.6 percent to $44,255,000 as compared to $41,527,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2017. The company derived approximately 83 percent of its revenues from direct selling sales and approximately 17 percent of its revenues from commercial coffee sales. Direct selling segment revenues increased by $1,308,000, or 3.7 percent, to $36,846,000 as compared to $35,538,000 in 2017. This increase was primarily attributed to revenues from new acquisitions and price increases on certain products that went into effect on January 1, 2018.

For the first six months of 2018, Youngevity revenues increased 8.7 percent to $87,249,000 as compared to $80,260,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2017. Approximately 83 percent of revenue has been from direct selling sales, which have increased by $3,377,000, or 4.9 percent, to $72,157,000 as compared to $68,780,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2017.

To read the full Youngevity Q2 financial report, click here.

ARIIX Promotes Brandon John to Executive Vice President of Business Strategy

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Bountiful, Utah-based ARIIX recently announced that Brandon John has been promoted from vice president of Global Tax to executive vice president of Business Strategy.

In his new position, he will be responsible for further developing ARIIX’s global tax strategy along with international logistics and operations.

Brandon John

Brandon John

“We are honored that Brandon accepted this new position,” said Jeff Yates, ARIIX chief financial officer and founder. “What he has accomplished at ARIIX in such a short amount of time has been incredibly invaluable. Brandon has a uniquely qualified background that will ensure success in each and every goal we set before him. I speak on behalf of all the owners when I say that we have complete confidence in his capabilities.”

John joined the company in 2016. He facilitated the merge of ARIIX and NuCerity and led the company through a complete tax restructure. For his new role, he will be relocating to Europe next month to join newly promoted President of International Cameron Bott.

“I am ready for the challenges set before me,” said John. “I plan to continue building our merger and acquisition profile while working alongside the ARIIX founders to strategically deploy resources, which will not only grow our current markets, but create new opportunities as well. I’m thrilled to be taking on a bigger role as an influencer in ARIIX becoming a global industry leader.”

Modere’s Asma Ishaq Named to DSEF Board of Directors

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Modere CEO Asma Ishaq was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Direct Selling Education Foundation (DSEF).

“We welcome Asma to the DSEF Board,” said Joseph N. Mariano, president of the Direct Selling Association and sitting member of the DSEF. “I am confident her talents as a direct selling corporate leader will be great assets as the Foundation pursues its mission of mainstreaming understanding of the channel and reaching more than 60,000 students per year with an accurate understanding of direct selling.”

Ishaq was appointed CEO of Modere in January of this year after leading her company, Jusuru International, Inc., through its acquisition by Modere in February 2017. Previously, Ishaq served on the Board of Directors of the Direct Selling Association.

“As creative occupations are the largest and fastest-growing segments of the freelance economy, it is important that direct selling is recognized in its deserved context,” said Ishaq. “I am honored to have the opportunity to serve on the board of the DSEF and look forward to working with the other board members to help educate tomorrow’s entrepreneurs and industry captains on the merits and potential of this distribution channel.”

Ishaq has also served the nutrition industry as a committee member of the Council for Responsible Nutrition and the personal care industry as an advisory board member of the Fragrance Creators Association (formerly known as the International Fragrance Association of North America (IFRANA)).

Natura Reports Strong Q2 Growth in All Brands

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Sao Paolo, Brazil-based Natura & Co, the Brazilian beauty and cosmetics giant, recently reported results from the second quarter ended June 30, 2018. Revenue was up 13.6 percent to R$3.1 million from R$2.729 million in 2017.

Revenue growth was up in every brand: Natura, up 9.8 percent; The Body Shop, up 14.8 percent; and Aesop up 55.2 percent.

“We are very pleased with the second quarter results” said Roberto Marques, Natura & Co’s chairman of the board. “Natura continues to revitalize its business model through its revamped relationship selling approach, digitization and growing multichannel presence; the Body Shop’s ongoing transformation plan is delivering encouraging initial results and Aesop continues its stellar growth trajectory. Natura & Co is well positioned to deliver further growth, reach its medium-term and long-term ambitions, with continuous advances in sustainable business practices.”

Natura’s growth was despite a trucker’s strike impact, with both Brazil and Latin America showing great momentum. Natura continued to gain market share in core categories in Brazil and show productivity gains, positively advancing the company’s new Relationship Sales model and digitization of its channel.

Natura & Co began to implement The Body Shop’s transformation plan this quarter with initiatives including organization redesign, store footprint optimization and measures to improve operational efficiency. Over the first half of the year the company has seen significant improvements in sales, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin, excluding transformation costs booked in Q2, in line with expectations.

Aesop again delivered another remarkable quarter with high double-digit growth in sales and EBITDA across all channels and geographies. The steady performance was driven by strong like-for-like sales in signature stores and by the addition of 25 new stores in the past 12 months.

To read the full Natura Q2 financial report, click here.

Isagenix Legacy Foundation Raises $2.3 Million in First 24 Hours

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Gilbert, Ariz.-based Isagenix International recently announced that its newly established Isagenix Legacy Foundation raised $2.3 million during its first 24 hours of fundraising.

Foundation Fundraising Launch

All donations will fund grants to nonprofit organizations that further the Foundation’s mission to provide healthy nutrition for underserved children, wellness education for all and aid for those affected by natural disasters.

 

The Foundation was launched August 6 during the Isagenix Global Celebration 2018 event in Nashville, Tennessee. Co-founders Jim and Kathy Coover pledged to match every dollar raised for the Foundation during the first 24 hours of fundraising, up to $1 million. The Coovers are donating $1 million.

Jim and Kathy Coover

Jim and Kathy Coover

“Jim and I are so moved by how the Isagenix family has embraced the Foundation,” said Kathy Coover, Isagenix co-founder and executive vice president. “Our company and those connected to it have a long history of contribution, so we knew we would see a positive response, but people have truly gone above and beyond. Together, we will demonstrate the power of collective impact to leave an enduring legacy in communities around the world.”

In 2017, Isagenix contributed $6.4 million in monetary and product donations to charitable and disaster relief organizations around the world. Since 2012, the company and its customers, independent distributors and employees have raised nearly $10 million in 12 countries for Make-A-Wish®, helping the nonprofit grant over 938 wishes.

Cameron Bott Named President of International at ARIIX

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Bountiful, Utah-based ARIIX recently announced that Cameron Bott has been promoted from vice president of Partner Support to president of International.

Cameron BottBott has been integral in the advancement of strategic goals at ARIIX since 2013, and in his new role, he will take the lead in greater integration among international markets.

“We view Cameron as the perfect individual in implementing ARIIX’s international agenda,” said Mark Wilson, ARIIX president and founder. “In the time that we have been lucky enough to have him on our team, he has not only proven his ability to lead, but also to forge partnerships and nurture programs to fruition. We’re eager to see the international growth that occurs under Cameron’s passionate influence.”

Bott will be relocating to Europe in September 2018 to establish a new office location, which will not only support the expansive European growth by providing improved local operations and focused attention but will also assist in establishing additional international markets.

“This is such an exciting time for ARIIX,” said Bott. “We have so many opportunities ahead of us as a company, and with the tremendous strength and enthusiasm of our field leaders, we will become a top company. The future is extremely prosperous for ARIIX and I feel fortunate to help lead the way.”

Primerica, Inc. Reports 13% Increase in Q2

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Duluth, Ga.-based Primerica, Inc. recently announced financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2018. Total revenues and adjusted operating revenues each increased 13 percent to $467.8 million and $466.9 million, respectively.

“We achieved 43 percent growth in EPS year-over-year and 24.5 percent ROE in the second quarter, reflecting solid performance, ongoing share repurchases and the benefits of Tax Reform,” said CEO Glenn Williams. “Income before income taxes grew 18 percent over the prior year period driven by increases of 23 percent and 9 percent for the Term Life and the ISP segments, respectively. Our sales force leadership continued to perform well, with the size of our life insurance licensed sales force exceeding 130,000, Term Life productivity remaining at the top of historical levels and Investment and Savings Products (ISP) sales near record highs. We delivered for our stakeholders in the second quarter and continue to be well positioned to provide meaningful value creation on a long-term basis.”

During the second quarter:

  • Term Life continued to show solid growth with net premiums increasing 14 percent year-over-year, favorable claims in comparison to both historical experience and the prior year period, and stable persistency.
  • Strong ISP performance was driven by 12 percent growth in total product sales and a 10 percent increase in average client asset values year-over-year.
  • Insurance and other operating expenses increased approximately $16 million from the prior year period, including about $6 million of higher account-based expenses from revisions to ISP record-keeping contracts.

To read the full Primerica Q2 financial report, click here.

Gene Tipps Named COO of Plexus Worldwide

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Plexus Worldwide, the Scottsdale, Ariz.-based direct-selling health and wellness, recently announced that Gene Tipps has joined the company as chief operations office. He will lead the Operations, Manufacturing and Logistics teams.

Gene Tipps

Gene Tipps

“Gene is a proven leader with exceptional experience leading global operations for network marketing companies around the world,” said Christopher Pair Garza, president of Operations and International for Plexus. “He is one of the industry’s top experts and we are pleased he chose to join Plexus as the company enters its second decade with a focus on domestic growth and expansion into new international markets.”

Tipps’s career includes executive positions in which he has helped to open international markets for several direct sales companies, and as director of Global Logistics, managing operations in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

“I have spent more than 20 years building high-performance teams in fast-growing environments in the United States, as well as Latin American, Europe and Asia-Pacific,” said Tipps. “Plexus has a stellar reputation, and this is a fantastic opportunity to further develop a world-class international supply chain as we continue to bring health and happiness around the globe though our unique products and opportunity.”

Nature’s Sunshine Reports 12% Increase in Q2 Net Sales

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Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc., the Lehi, Utah-based natural health and wellness company, reported its net sales for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018, increased 12.2 percent year-over-year to $91.3 million compared to $81.3 million in the second quarter of 2017.

“We generated strong second quarter sales growth compared to the prior year period, which combined with our focus on cost controls led to improvement in both net income and EBITDA compared to the prior year,” said Gregory L. Probert, chairman and chief executive officer.

According to the company, sales growth was primarily related to continued growth in Synergy Asia Pacific, NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe and NSP China, offset by a $1.0 million decline in net sales in NSP Americas and a $1.0 million decline in Synergy Europe. In China, where Nature’s Sunshine remains in the early development of direct selling operations, the company dedicated management resources to increasing the engagement of independent service providers over the past several months and will continue to focus on broadening its leadership and driving a long-term growth opportunity in the market.

For the year, net sales increased 8.6 percent to $178.6 million compared to $164.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017. Growth was primarily related to continued growth in Synergy Asia Pacific, NSP Russia, Central and Eastern Europe and NSP China, offset by a $3.8 million decline in nets sales in NSP Americas and a $1.3 million decline in Synergy Europe.

To read the full Nature’s Sunshine Q2 report, click here.

Oriflame Q2 Local Currency Sales Up 1%; Euro Sales Down 7%

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Switzerland-based Oriflame Cosmetics, the direct seller of cosmetics and beauty products, announced financial results for the second quarter of 2018.

Local currency sales increased by 1 percent while Euro sales decreased by 7 percent to €321.9 million (€347.6 million). The number of registered actives decreased by 1 percent to 2.8 million.

“Despite facing significant currency headwinds, we are pleased to report an improved operating margin for the quarter,” said CEO Magnus Brännström. “However, the overall sales development during the second quarter was weak due to challenging market conditions in key markets such as Russia, Indonesia and Turkey. Sales were in most regions further negatively impacted by less successful product launches as well as timing of catalogues and conferences. We are taking measures to enhance sales growth by emphasized focus on categories that help us drive activity and recruitment. Oriflame has a solid financial position and we are confident in our ability to return to sustainable growth.”

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, local currency sales increased by 4 percent and Euro sales decreased by 5 percent to €656.1 million (€687.8 million).

To read the full Oriflame Q2 financial report, click here.