ViSalus’ Content Marketing department received an esteemed 2014 W3 Silver Award in Copywriting for its Vi Blog and its blog extension program, the Vi Today’s Share.

The W3 Awards honor creative excellence on the web, and recognize the professionals behind the creative and marketing teams of the award-winning sites, marketing programs, social content and mobile sites. In its ninth year, W3 is the major web competition where companies submit content to be sanctioned and judged by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Artists (AIVA), an invitation-only, membership-based organization of leading web professionals.

More than 4,000 entries worldwide were submitted — many from Fortune 500 companies and international agencies and firms. Entries were judged by the AIVA in four categories with criteria upholding a high standard of excellence.     

“We are so proud of our outstanding, hard-working and innovative team of marketing professionals,” said Blake Mallen, ViSalus Co-Founder and Chief Sales & Marketing Officer. “From sharing exclusive interviews and company news, to industry tips and inspirational stories from within the Vi Community, our marketing team uses storytelling to show how we are transforming lives across the globe.”  

Vi’s Content Marketing team is responsible for the Vi Blog, which has generated more than 1 million impressions this year. The Today’s Share has garnered more than 10,000 people opting in to receive daily Vi features from the blog directly to their smartphones by texting "SHARE" to 69979.

The W3 Award adds to the growing list of honors and awards ViSalus has already earned this year. In addition to the Kaltura Innovation Award and 4 Telly Awards, Vi has also been named Ragan Communications and PR Daily’s 2014 Content Marketing finalist for the “Best Blog” Award.

About ViSalus

ViSalus, Inc. is a healthy lifestyle company that is dedicated to Challenging the World… 10 lbs. at a Time. Founded in 2005, ViSalus develops high-quality weight-management products and nutritional supplements that it markets and sells direct-to-consumers through an international sales force of independent promoters.

ViSalus markets its products in North America under the ViSalus® brand and in Europe under the Vi™ brand, through the Body by Vi Challenge®. ViSalus is headquartered in Los Angeles, California and Troy, Michigan. For more information about ViSalus, please visit Vi.com and follow the Vi-Community on Facebook (Facebook.com/Vi) and Twitter (@ViSalus).

Avon Products Inc. (AVP)’s Chinese subsidiary bribed local officials with Gucci bags and foreign travel in order to sell products directly to the nation’s consumers, the U.S. said as the company ended a six-year federal investigation with a guilty plea and $135 million in fines.

Avon is also subject to a deferred prosecution agreement requiring it to adopt “rigorous” internal controls and avoid further violations for three years before the case will be dropped. The plea, which includes an outside monitor, was announced at a hearing today in Manhattan federal court.

The world’s largest door-to-door seller of cosmetics had said in May it would settle the probe. Its Chinese unit pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate U.S. anti-bribery law by falsifying records of a four-year scheme to pay off Chinese authorities, who ended a direct sales ban in 2006.

“For years in China it was ‘Avon calling,’ as Avon bestowed millions of dollars in gifts and other things on Chinese government officials,” said Manhattan U.S. Attorney Bharara today. “Avon China was in the door-to-door influence-peddling business and for years its corporate parent, rather than putting an end to the practice, conspired to cover it up.”

Avon China provided gifts and entertainment to Chinese officials, “and falsified these transactions on its books and records,” Avon general Counsel Jeff Benjamin told U.S. District Judge George Daniels. “Avon China’s conduct in this regard was wrong.”

Three Executives

Three Avon China executives and two lawyers paid at least $8 million in gifts and other gratuities to local authorities to circumvent China’s direct sales ban, the government said. The gifts allegedly included meals, expenses and travel, as well as the “personal luxury items like designer wallets, bags or watches.” In return, Avon China obtained direct sales licenses and favorable judicial treatment.

Included was an 18-day sightseeing trip in 2006 for four Chinese officials, with visits to cities including New York, Montreal, Las Vegas and Washington, the U.S. said. Avon China employees spent hundreds of dollars on accessories, such as an $800 Gucci bag, and $8,100 on meals and entertainment in 2006.

The payments were hidden on company records as “business entertainment,” “employee travel” or “public relations business entertainment,” according to the government.

The Securities and Exchange Commission filed a parallel lawsuit today, describing how Avon allegedly obtained the first sales license in March 2006 after it “provided over $100,000 in cash or things of value to government officials.”

Potential Wrongdoing

New York-based Avon learned of potential wrongdoing at the subsidiary in late 2005, the SEC said, but proposed reforms were never put in place.

Avon became one of the first companies to obtain a license in China to sell products directly to consumers -– the cornerstone of its business model — when the sales ban was lifted.

By July 2006, the company had hired more than 114,000 door-to-door salespeople in China. Then-Chief Executive Officer Andrea Jung said at the time the company viewed the country as a potential $1 billion market. Sales in China surged 28 percent to $67.2 million in the company’s fourth quarter that year.

Avon again began looking into allegations of improper payments in China in mid-2008, sparked by a whistle-blower’s letter to Jung. The law firm Mayer Brown LLP was brought in to conduct the probe, and the company reported the allegations to the Justice Department and SEC, Avon said in October 2008.

Avon Disclosure

By 2009, Avon disclosed the probe had expanded beyond China and also involved “use of third-party vendors and consultants,” “joint ventures and acquisitions, and payments to third-party agents,” according to a company filing.

In May 2011, Avon fired four executives connected to the bribery inquiry and the following year named a new head of its China unit.

The New York-based company spent at least $344 million on its internal investigation, more than twice as much as Weatherford International Ltd. (WFT), a Geneva-based oil services company that resolved a U.S. probe last year for $253 million.

In a 2010 meeting, government officials took the unusual step of questioning why Avon’s legal costs were so high, according to two people familiar with the meeting. Avon said its legal bills had ballooned in part because the company operated in more than 100 countries without consolidated transaction records, according to one of the people.

Originally reported by: Bloomberg

Justitie legt voor miljoenen beslag op rekeningen PlanB4you uit Den Bosch om piramidespel

From a beach in Bali, Angela Moore and Jordan Schultz, founders of The Freedom Fighter Network, told the world about their revolutionary system that was "guaranteed" to make you money.

The opportunity was launced in July 2014, Their Freedom Fighters Facebook group had 11,000+ members and an estimated 25,000+ marketers invested in the system.

Schultz and Moore closed down their operations in an unexpected move, leaving numerous affiliates in the dust. The reason seems to be a possible bankruptcy, so the owners decided not to pay out affiliates anymore, take the money and "jump ship".

According to their website:

"The Freedom Fighters Network is a product that has all the marketing system with all of the pieces (capture page, sales page, one time offers and followup) already put together for you including a traffic source. The marketing system funnels people thru and converts them to sales for you.

In addition to the marketing system and traffic provided for you there will also be training on how to find your own traffic sources".

Recently, Senior Vice President, International Jeff Kalinin named Manny Castillo as General Manager of Peru, which opened as 4Life's 16th international office in 2009.

Castillo joined the marketing department of 4Life Research® in 2009 as an International Marketing Manager. In 2011, he took a role in the International department as a Market Coordinator for the countries of Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, and Peru.

Jeff Kalinin: "Manny has excellent marketing experience, as well operational experience with new, emerging, and established markets. He'll make a great corporate leader for this growing marketplace."

Castillo is originally from Trujillo, Peru. He moved to the United States to pursue a college degree in business and graduated from Utah Valley University. Today, he and his wife Betty have two children. He will move his family to Lima, Peru, from Provo, Utah, in January 2015 to assume his new responsibilities.

October was 4Life's best sales month in company history. Additionally, 2014 produced a record-breaking 17 new Gold International Diamonds around the world with Dr. Jase and Dr. Jinsun Khyeam of South Korea and Sheri Din of Singapore advancing to the company's highest rank, Platinum International Diamond.

Manny Castillo: "I am honored and excited to accept the great responsibility of General Manager of Peru," he said. "My family is ready to move to Lima and I am ready to plug even more directly into our energetic network of distributors. I look forward to the opportunity to support their business growth and contribute to the company's global rank advancements in 2015 and beyond."

About 4Life

In 1998, 4Life Founders David and Bianca Lisonbee launched the company’s flagship immune system support product, 4Life Transfer Factor. As the first network marketing company to do so, 4Life’s leading group of doctors, scientists, and researchers continue to advance immune system science with innovations in product formulation, production standards, delivery methods, and more. Today, people in more than 50 countries enjoy the immune system support of 4Life products.

ForeverGreen Worldwide Corporation, a leading direct marketing company and provider of health-centered products, announced Ron Williams, CEO and founder of ForeverGreen, as well as several other senior executives traveled to Japan to meet with top leaders and prepare for the expansion of business in the region.

PowerStrips, an FGXpress product listed with the FDA as a Class 1 Medical Device for the temporary relief of minor pain, has greatly increased in popularity in Japan, prompting the company to accelerate business in the county. Using all natural ingredients, PowerStrips can be mailed anywhere in the world and are marketed in 174 countries by a growing network of ForeverGreen members, making the product attractive to business owners, entrepreneurs and consumers across Japan.

Japan captures approximately one ninth of worldwide direct selling sales. ForeverGreen expects Japan to be a top producing country in 2015. "Japan is considered one of the big three markets in our industry," Mr. Williams said. "It takes more time and resources, but the upside potential is worth the investment."

Mr. Williams as well as Jeff Graham, President of North America, and other management met with top leaders to discuss how to improve logistics and advance ForeverGreen's presence in Japan. According to Tomoko Tatematsu, ForeverGreen's Japanese Country Manager, having Mr. Williams share the company's vision in person encouraged top leaders in Japan to continue growing their businesses and to look toward ForeverGreen's Las Vegas conference in May.

About ForeverGreen Worldwide

ForeverGreen Worldwide Corporation develops, manufactures and distributes an expansive line of all natural whole foods and products to North America, Australia, Europe, Asia and South America, including their new global offerings, PowerStrips, SolarStrips and BeautyStrips. They also offer Azul and FrequenSea, whole-food beverages with industry exclusive marine phytoplankton, the Versativa line of hemp-based whole-food products, immune support and weight management products, Pulse-8 powdered L-arginine formula, TRUessence Essential Oils and Apothecary, 24Karat Chocolate and an entire catalog of meals, snacks, household cleaners and personal care products.

Business For Home is compiling the Top Direct Selling – MLM CEO in the world for 2014. Last year over 37,000 Direct Selling professionals voted for the 2013 poll and 500,000+ people visited the poll.

Michall O. Johnson - Herbalife CEO was voted nr. 1,  Andy Horner – Premier Designs nr. 2 and David Holl – Mary Kay nr. 3.

A Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the highest-ranking corporate officer (executive) or in charge of total management of an organization. Corporate leaders and visonairs, creating culture, building the team and leading the way. Setting strategy and vision.

The CEO’s duty is building culture. Work gets done through management and distributors, and they are profoundly affected by culture.

We have nominated 250+ Top CEO's in cooperation with numerous Direct Selling Professionals. If we have missed your awesome CEO, please send a Facebook message to Ted Nuyten or comment below.

According to industry experts:

"The CEO and/or owner is the most important factor in any business. If you have a good one with a good mind and good heart, that will solve almost any problem.

A good leader will always find a way to create a great opportunity for you. If you have a bad leader, it doesn't matter how good the product or compensation plan is, they will find a way to mess it up"

The poll will close January 31 – 2015

You need to be connected to your Facebook account to vote!

Scroll down to vote (Under the CEO photo's)

The Top 50 CEO's of the year 2014.

Below results are in Real Time:

1. Brain Abundance - Eric Caprarese 302 votes	2. WOR(l)D GN - Fabio Galdi 248 votes	3. Herbalife - Michael O. Johnson 202 votes	4. Trévo - Mark Stevens 141 votes
5. Total Life Changes - Jack-Fallon 140 votes	6. Monavie & Mynt - Mauricio Bellora 124 votes	7. Talk Fusion - Bob Reina 101 votes	8. Essante Organics - Michael Wenniger 95 votes
9. Jeunesse Global - Wendy Lewis 77 votes	10. Seacret Direct - Izhak Ben Shabat 73 votes	11. Skinny Body Care - Ben Glinsky 73 votes	12. Global Wealth Trade - Ramin Mesgarlou 68 votes
13. DS Domination - Roger Langille 42 votes	14. Zija Int. - Rod Larsen 40 votes	15. DXN Global - Lim Siow Jin 31 votes	16. FG Xpress / Forever G - Ron Williams 28 votes
17. Fuxion - Alvaro Zuniga Benavides 26 votes	18. ACN - Greg Provenzano 23 votes	19. Nuviza - Ahmad Evaji 22 votes	20. Vemma - BK Boreyko 22 votes
21. ARIIX - Fred Cooper 21 votes	22. SPX Nutrition - Rick Wall 20 votes	23. G1E - Global One E. - Rick Maike 18 votes	24. WorldVentures - Mike Azcue 17 votes
25. Isagenix - Jim Coover 16 votes	26. FM Group - Artur Trawinski 15 votes	27. Preiscoin - Jacek Dudzic 14 votes	28. doTERRA - David Sterling 13 votes
29. Empower Network - Jonathan Cronstedt 12 votes	30. LEO - Dan Andersson 11 votes	31. Organo Gold - Bernie Chua 11 votes	32. Stream Energy - Mark Schiro 11 votes
33. Bonofa - Martin Bohm 10 votes	34. Avon - Sherilyn S. McCoy 9 votes	35. Alliance In Motion - Ed Cabantog 9 votes	36. Nerium International - Jeff Olson 9 votes
37. OPN & Sitetalk - Frank Ricketts 9 votes	38. Younique - Melanie Maxfield Huscroft 9 votes	39. Javita - Stan Cherelstein 9 votes	40. Evolv Health - Brent Hicks 9 votes
41. USANA Health - Dave Wentz 8 votes	42. Youngevity - Steve Wallach 7 votes	43. Lyoness - Hubert Freidl 7 votes	44. iWowwe - Bill Starkey 6 votes
45. Mega Holdings - Michael Cheng 6 votes	46. Amway - Steve Van Andel & Doug DeVos 6 votes	47. 4Life Research - Steve Tew 5 votes	48. Zrii - William Farley 5 votes
49. Nu Skin - Truman Hunt 5 votes	50. NuVerus - Michael Jareou 5 votes	51. Scentsy - Orville Thompson 4 votes	52. Kyani - Michael Breshears 4 votes

How to vote:

1. Select your CEO in the drop down box on the left.

2. Push the vote button.

The full list

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post's poll.

Kirby McInerney LLP is investigating potential claims against the Board of Directors of Medifast, Inc. (“Medifast” or the “Company”) (MED) concerning the improper compensation of the Company’s executives.

Medifast’s key executive compensation increased drastically from approximately $2.12 million in 2012 to approximately $12.11 million in 2013. This is an especially significant increase given the fact that key executive compensation was under $2 million for each year from 2009 to 2011. While the key executive compensation has increased dramatically, there has not been any significant increase in the Company’s stock price.

If you are a Medifast stockholder and wish to obtain additional information, please contact J. Brandon Walker, Esq. by email at bwalker@kmllp.com, or telephone at (212) 699-1145, Melissa Fortunato, Esq. by email at mfortunato@kmllp.com, or telephone at (212) 699-1141, or toll free at (888) 529-4787

Kirby McInerney LLP is a New York-based law firm concentrating in securities, whistleblower, antitrust and consumer litigation. 

Jeunesse is honored to announce the addition of Bo Short to its global field leadership. As the company experiences continued exponential growth, Bo will use his decades of expertise in MLM to continue to stimulate significant growth around the world, while also designing a groundbreaking personal development initiative aimed at strengthening field leadership in the United States, while working closely with leading directors to further enhance Jeunesse culture.

“Very seldom in the network marketing industry does a company come along with this type of sustained growth, backed by category-creating products and a world-class compensation plan,” explains Bo. “ Jeunesse is such a company. It is a builder’s dream to mentor a team in that (type of) environment. I know the success that awaits distributors that come here and I am honored to be a part of that process.”

As a legendary figure in the network marketing industry, Bo has spent the past 25 years building successful MLM teams in 25 different countries. He most recently served as the President of Global Sales & Field Development for a large, publicly traded network-marketing company.

Ranked #31 in Business for Home's “Top 250 Lifetime Earners,” Bo was later singled out as “1 of 52 of the Brightest Minds in Network Marketing.” He was featured in a New York Times bestselling book about network marketing, appeared on Dateline NBC as an industry expert, and has been featured as a keynote speaker in 24 countries, with a cumulative audience of over 1 million.

Bo Short is eager to work with the sales force at Jeunesse. “My team and I look forward to giving our best and highest effort to ensure the success of those people that look to us for leadership,” Bo says.  “We are humbled to be a part of this global movement.”

About Jeunesse

Jeunesse is a leading direct selling company devoted to encouraging healthy living. Company research focuses on adult stem cell science, telomere support, DNA repair, fat loss technology, and nutrigenomics. Products are made in the USA and are exclusively formulated for Jeunesse.

With a multi-lingual customer service, back office support team, global enrollment system, and in-house programming already in place, the company is fully operational in 32 offices around the world. Its distribution channels extend to over 100 countries. Jeunesse and the Jeunesse logo are registered trademarks of Jeunesse Global, LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries. For more information, please visit: www.jeunesseglobal.com.

Follow Jeunesse on Facebook or Twitter

http://www.facebook.com/TheScienceOfYouthfulAging

https://twitter.com/jeunesseglobal

ViSalus' international expansion initiative supplies solutions for the growing European demand for healthier living by continuing its commitment to open four new Vi markets by year-end 2014. Vi Ireland launched in June, the Netherlands, Sweden and Finland in October, and Spain opened for shipping November 14th, completing Vi's global expansion ahead of schedule.  

"We have made a global commitment to bring our healthy living efforts, which have already transformed more than 3 million lives in North America, to many European fronts," said Ryan Blair, ViSalus Co-Founder and CEO. "Our goal is to Challenge these countries to create healthy living lifestyles for generations to come."        

ViSalus has fulfilled the next steps in its global initiative by opening October 1 in the Netherlands, Sweden and Finland, and offering Vi products to those consumer markets as of October 15. On Friday, November 14th, Spain also opened for shipping. The Netherlands, Sweden, Finland and Spain have surpassed a total of over 3,000 Vi Customers and Promoters since launch.                 

Blake Mallen, Vi Co-Founder and Chief Marketing & Sales Officer, and Nick Sarnicola, Vi Co-Founder and Global Ambassador, hosted Influencer Summits in each new market to connect with the international independent Promoter community and outline the short and long-term goals of Vi in each country. Several key UK and German leaders have already helped develop growing teams in the newer markets.  

"We are satisfying a desire for health initiatives and, more importantly, building an active lifestyle structure in places where health and wellness are key focal points in culture," said Mallen.

Vi's dedication to Challenging the World…10 lbs. at a Time went global in 2013 with the launch of Vi in the United Kingdom. In February 2014, operations in Germany and Austria opened, and in June, Vi Ireland became fully operational, further developing Vi's infrastructure throughout Europe.

For more information about Vi's EU Expansion, visit: euexpansion.vi.com

About ViSalus

ViSalus, Inc. is a healthy lifestyle company committed to transforming Life, Health and Prosperity around the world by creating meaningful connections, supporting physical transformations, and promoting entrepreneurial freedom. Through its flagship program, The Challenge, ViSalus has developed a leading platform for achieving weight-loss and fitness results. Founded in 2005, ViSalus develops innovative weight-management products and nutritional supplements that it markets and sells direct-to-consumers through an international sales force of independent Promoters.

ViSalus offers its products in North America under the ViSalus® brand and in Europe under the Vi™ brand. ViSalus is headquartered in Troy, Michigan, with offices in Los Angeles and throughout Europe. For more information about ViSalus, please visit www.Vi.com and follow the Vi-Community on Facebook (Facebook.com/Vi) and Twitter (@ViSalus).

It’s been two years since Bill Ackman launched the billion-dollar short bet heard ’round the world.

On Dec. 20, 2012, the founder of Pershing Square Capital Management LP announced his bet against the nutritional supplement company Herbalife Ltd. in a three-hour-plus PowerPoint presentation that spanned 334 slides. He called the company a “pyramid scheme” and said it has caused “enormous harm” to “vulnerable communities around the world.”

As of Thursday’s close, Herbalife’s stock was down about 11% from where it closed on Dec. 18, 2012 (word that Mr. Ackman was betting against Herbalife leaked the day before the presentation, causing the stock to drop). That change masks two years of massive volatility in the stock, millions spent by Mr. Ackman spelling out his case and millions spent by Herbalife defending its business model.

In the meantime, some of the world’s best-known money managers have piled into the stock, taking the other side of Mr. Ackman’s bet. Feuds between Mr. Ackman and some of his nemeses have been thrown into the public spotlight and at least one feud has morphed into perhaps a friendship.

Here’s a look back at Mr. Ackman’s Herbalife bet by the numbers:

Mr. Ackman’s short position in Herbalife: $1 billion

What Mr. Ackman has spent making his case that the company is a pyramid scheme:$50 million (as of July 2014)

What Herbalife has spent on its defense: $47.4 million (as of Oct. 30 2014)

Number of days that Herbalife’s stock has moved 10% or more: 12

Federal agencies that have been looking into Herbalife, according to filings and WSJ reports: 4 (FBI, DOJ, FTC, and SEC)

Major money-managers betting on Herbalife: 6 (Carl Icahn, George Soros, Richard Perry, Dan Loeb, Kyle Bass, and William Stiritz.)

Herbalife board seats held by Mr. Icahn’s associates: 5 of 13 directors

Analysts with a Buy rating on the stock: 4, according to FactSet (2 have neutral ratings and none have sell ratings).

Average price target on Herbalife’s stock: $63.80

Number of activist campaigns launched since start of 2013: 594, according to FactSet.

Number of those activist campaigns still pending: 286

Originally reported by: http://blogs.wsj.com/moneybeat

In a rapidly-changing world where new information and scientific data come to light faster than ever, beauty and skincare products continue to evolve.  

Artistry™, one of the world’s top-five largest selling premium skin care brands*, continues to leverage these changes to imagine new technologies and discover new breakthroughs. Through active collaboration and partnerships with universities, scientists and industry leaders, Amway and the Artistry™ brand remain on the forefront of global trends and are achieving transformational advancements in beauty and skincare.        

The future of forward beauty

“Research and advancements in dermatological treatment devices, DNA repair and stem cells are on the cusp of delivering breakthrough benefits to Artistry™ products,” said Dr. Paul Seehra, director of the Amway Asia Beauty Innovation Center.  “And we continue to investigate emerging areas of new science, including studying and monitoring the benefits that microorganisms have on an individual’s skin and overall health.”

Located in Seoul, South Korea, the Asia Beauty Innovation Center (ABIC) supports collaboration with the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.  The ABIC’s presence in Asia is significant because the market accounts for a significant percentage of Artistry™ sales and Seoul is currently the center of pop culture for the region.  In addition to advancing partnerships and research agreements, the location of the ABIC allows Artistry™ research and development (R&D) teams to engage with local customers and discover the latest beauty trends.

One beauty trend gaining momentum is the integration of digital technology into beauty products (for example, facial masks that incorporate technology components).  Many device applications, which at one time were only available at a doctor’s office, are now becoming more accessible for in-home use and are enhancing the customer experience.  Artistry™ R&D continues to look toward future avant-garde devices with groundbreaking efficacy that Amway beauty leaders predict will revolutionize the beauty industry. 

“There is an intersection between beauty, science and digital technology, particularly in Asia,” said Dr. Seehra. “The ABIC is well-connected to a wide-range of regional resources.  In the past year, collaborations with technology companies and scientists have been focusing on packaging and devices in Korea, botanicals and traditional Asian medicines in China, anti-aging and skin-evening ingredients in Japan and new startups in Southeast Asia.”  

In addition to partnerships with universities, scientists and industry leaders, the Artistry™  brand continues to leverage its Scientific Advisory Board.  These collaborations have enriched a complete portfolio of advanced skincare products that incorporate new technologies and include proprietary plant ingredients that target the biological and environmental signs of aging for men and women.

Simple, yet effective, beauty

Anti-aging continues to be the most vital beauty product benefit for women beginning in their mid-30s. To aid the beauty industry’s largest demographic in its crusade against wrinkling, age spots and sagging, Artistry™ products offer a full range of anti-aging benefits in skincare, as well as cosmetics.   

On the other end of the generational spectrum are Millennials.  This group of digital natives, who are under the age of 35, are demanding greater customization and products that multi-task as much as they do.  As a result, all-in-one solutions with multiple benefits have shaped a whole new class of beauty products.    

“Millennials are not interested in multi-step routines.  They want inventive products with many benefits,” said Sumita Butani, global product innovation lead for Amway Beauty.  “What Baby Boomers and Millennials have in common is a demand for simple, yet effective, products that yield visible results, quickly.”

Discovering sustainable beauty

The increasing number of people, from both generations, migrating from rural to urban areas is enhancing the demand for sustainable beauty.  According to the World Health Organization, more than half of the world’s population lives in an urban environment.  This is a trend that is expected to grow nearly two percent each year.** 

“Increased urbanization means more men and women with heightened concerns about the effects that urban pollution and dust have on the skin,” said Maud Pansing, vice president of global beauty for Amway. “These urban dwellers are also demanding personalized, sustainable beauty products that are made from natural ingredients and feature environmentally friendly packaging.”

The Artistry™ brand remains a leader in the movement toward sustainable beauty.  Researchers continue to explore the planet for natural ingredients while product developers discover innovative and sustainable packaging options.     

“Whether it’s using minerals from the Himalayan Mountains, Red Caviar from Norway, antioxidants from Africa or leveraging ingredients from Amway’s organic farms in Mexico, Brazil and the United States, the natural ingredients in Artistry™ products further the discovery of truly sustainable beauty,” said Pansing.      

Complementing global beauty

In addition to urbanization, ongoing globalization and the growth of multi-ethnic populations are challenging the traditional notions of beauty. 

“Artistry™ products are embracing the evolution of global complexions and the progression of regional ideas of beauty,” said Pansing. 

Using its sophisticated, proprietary diagnostic imaging system, Artistry™ R&D has analyzed 162,000 skin tones from around the world.  The result is a unique universal shade palette that truly complements any skin tone.

“Whatever the customer is looking for, whether it’s bronzing in the west, whitening in the east or anything in between, the Artistry™ brand offers highly-personalized products that address the needs of any skin tone in every geographical location,” said Pansing.

The following is an email from founder and CEO Harold Zimmerman to the Votre Vu Reps:

Dear Votre Vu Brand Ambassdors,

It is with an extremely heavy heart that I announce that Votre Vu will need to close our doors at the end of this year- 2014.

Even though the value of our products was validated repeatedly by prestigious beauty editors, celebrities, and business authorities, we simply did not gain enough consumer traction to keep our business in operation. 

Our sales have been in decline in the past 2 years, and the level of investments made to keep our operations running has reached its limit.  Trust me, we have looked every which way to keep this dream alive.  It has been my wholehearted focus for the past seven years – and I know all of you and our corporate staff also embraced the Votre Vu vision with the sincerest passion.    

I do not view this as a failure, nor should you. We dared to dream. We dared to create something truly unique, and we created quite a stir in doing so.  Our brand was given life by YOU, our beloved Brand Ambassadors.     \\You invoked passion and excitement amongst our consumer base at your soirees and one-on-one selling, at our coast-to-coast beauty tours, and even while making a big splash everywhere we went with our chic VuBAR…from the Hamptons in New York all the way to San Diego, and everywhere in between.  

While our spirits are deeply saddened by Votre Vu’s closing, we want to remind you once again how full our hearts are with gratitude for each one of you and the enthusiasm with which you’ve pursed the Votre Vu dream.  That is why, instead of just shutting our doors like so many companies, we want to exit with grace, allowing you time to sell off product as well as earn commissions on sales to those who wish to stock up on Vu’s exquisite formulas before they are no longer available.

Specifically, you may earn commissions as usual for the entire month of December. The final commissions run will be Friday, January 2, 2015. As of result, all orders must be in by Wednesday, Dec. 31.To help boost your final sales, we will discount the retail price of individual products by 50% for all customers and reduce the Brand Ambassador price by another 50% starting Thursday, December 4.  (Holiday Sets and the Haute Spot will be offered at half off the original retail price.) 

We will offer free shipping  for orders of $50 or more. The Host special for December will remain intact to close out any soirees, but theMal-ligne monthly special will be discontinued and the sérum will sell at 50% off like the remainder of in the line.   All sales will be final and no back orders will be accepted.As of today, Dec. 1, we will no longer accept sign-ups. Moreover, in good faith, we will offer refunds to anyone who purchased a startMEup pak in November and wishes to return it.

Unfortunately, the “Break the Ice,” “Success Collection” and “This Box Rocks” incentives will no longer be applicable.Starting Friday, January 2, the BA Centres will no longer be accessible.  However, we will provide email support through Customer Care at customer_care@votrevu.comthrough the end of January. Only a very limited supply of products may be available online after January 1 for inventory liquidation.   Tax information will be collected and sent to you as soon as possible—no later than January 31.  

While the Votre Vu star did not burn long enough for us, we are so glad for what we did accomplish.   We’ve paid out over $4,500,000 in commissions, donated over $80,000 to childhood cancer, and sent hundreds of Brand Ambassadors on luxurious dream vacations.  We’re so glad that even recently, we were able to treat you to Hawaii – and award 17 of you $1,000 gift cards for the holidays.  Yes, we have done so much good in such a short time. And we will all do more good again.  Because every ending is also a beginning.

Be brave. Be good. Be beautiful.

With my sincerest regrets and a full and heavy heart,

Harold Zimmerman and the Votre Vu Home Team

Both Randy Schroeder as Ed Mercer have made millions in the MLM Industry and have joined FG Xpress / Forever Green.

Randy Schroeder is 57 and resides in Southern California. Born in a middle class farming community in the mountain west, USA, Randy learned early in life the values of work and entrepreneurship. He has earned in excess of $1,000,000 in commissions for each of the past 20 years. Randy has reached the pinnacle of success on both in the corporate MLM world as distributor.

Ed Mercer became a self-made millionaire by the age of 27 and is the man behind the popularization of such toys as the bird that dips into a glass of water, the mood ring, and the glowing yo-yo. He moved to Costa Rica in the 1980s and became a champion of numerous environmental causes, creating the largest sanctuary for various tropical birds, turtles, and monkeys in the world.

Known as "Mr. Costa Rica", Mercer is the largest private landowner in the country, and was inducted him into the Environmental Hall of Fame in 2008. He has helped more than 50 people to become millionaires in the past.

About ForeverGreen Worldwide – FG Xpress

ForeverGreen Worldwide Corporation develops, manufactures and distributes an expansive line of all natural whole foods and products to North America, Australia, Europe, Asia and South America, including their new global offerings, PowerStrips, SolarStrips and BeautyStrips.

They also offer Azul and FrequenSea, whole-food beverages with industry exclusive marine phytoplankton, the Versativa line of hemp-based whole-food products, immune support and weight management products, Pulse-8 powdered L-arginine formula, TRUessence Essential Oils and Apothecary, 24Karat Chocolate and an entire catalog of meals, snacks, household cleaners and personal care products.

Mega Holdings  is incorporated in Hong Kong and its Management team is headed by Chairman/Founder Michael Cheng, a successful business entrepreneur with rich experience in network marketing and other business investments in several parts of the world.

On 29 December, Mega Holdings will held his convention in Turkey in Istanbul and expect to draw 7,000+ attendees and several top earners will be present such as Enes Olgun, Mesut Öpengin, Fatih Yazici, Hasan Acer, Hamit Dogan, Selim Doruk, and Selman Olgun.

Dr. Hedi  Khezrzadeh, the International Ambassador of Mega Holdings, shares his thoughts on the achievements of Mega Holdings in 2014 and the vision of 2015.

Mega Holdings’ achievements in 2014 can be classified into three categories i.e. product value, market expansion and sales growth.

Product Value: As the Company rides on the theme of “everyone can design, can create”, Mega Holdings’ corporate strategy is to focus on developing an Easy Builder to facilitate everyone who wishes to own a website, to build it quickly and effortlessly, and thereafter, to manage it.

As the objective of Mega Holdings is to create the best-value Easy Builder in the market, we now have a wide variety of themes and professionally-developed designs from which to choose to formulate a customer’s desired cyber home.  Website owners are able to make changes to their unique websites anytime to suit their specific needs without having to wait for approval from the hosting Company. These are value-added factors contributing to Mega Holdings’ success in 2014.

Market Expansion: We successfully penetrated the EU market in 2014 with the establishment of the Mega Holdings Agency in Germany to service the 28 EU countries. Mega Holdings’ presence in the EU has been received with great enthusiasm and excitement.

Sales Growth: With the continued support of customers, Country Agents and leaders, we achieved a phenomenal four-fold increase in sales in 2014.

The other important achievements in 2014 were: (1) two new leaders successfully attained their million dollar income status and became members of the MH Million $ Club, (2) six customers hit Mega Star status ‘a shining star in the sky’. These are two critically important milestones every MH customer would aspire to reach in their direct-selling career.

Our objectives and programs for 2015 include: (a) the launching in early 2015 of the Responsive Website (i.e. allowing mobile access), (b) adding more useful features and applications to the Easy Builder, which will make it even more user-friendly, (c) adapting to the US business environment in preparation for the possible eventual introduction of our business model to the US market, (d) the launching in the 1^st quarter of the Agency for the Balkan states to spearhead Mega Holdings’ presence there, and (e) targeting for a 5-fold increase in sales growth.

USA cosmetics company Younique is on mission is to uplift, empower, validate, and ultimately build self-esteem in women around the world through high-quality products that encourage both inner and outer beauty and spiritual enlightenment while also providing opportunities for personal growth and financial reward.

In the autumn Younique opened the United Kingdom and several distributors, reached the highest level.

Claire Cowan, Hayley Jackson,  Katie Hamer and Nadine Ward became Younique's first Black Diamond presenter in the United Kingdom

To become a Black Presenter it requirer $80,000 in team volume and at least 4 personally sponsored elite status presenters. To hit elite you must have $10,000 in team sales.

The UK’s first month selling was November 2014, Younique had 4 UK black level presenters  break in November 3 of which where on Amber Voight's Team Sparkle.

Other leaders on team sparkle who worked with these UK presenters to help them achieve black status are Natasha Good, Jade Macintyre, Katie Rickel, Heidi Boss, Cindy Brancato, Sheila Rickel, and Chrissy Nutter.

Younique is the first direct sales company to market and sell almost exclusively through the use of social media. The pioneered Younique Virtual Parties bridge the huge world of social media and the traditional home party business model. A Younique Virtual Party has no limits to your reach or who you can invite.

This makes it so the traditional home party is not even necessary unless you choose to do it. Younique providea the innovative and interactive tools and invite you to tap into your own resources and connections that you already have.

Total Life Changes is proud to announce William and Denise Lee as National Directors in December 2014.

From the famed city of brotherly love, cheesesteaks and multiple Rocky movie moments, lives a charming young couple that took a leap of faith seeking additional income.

“We found Total Life Changes through social media. I continued to see ads from a mother of six children stating that she was onto something really big and that this was a business that could provide much success, even on a part time basis” says Denise Lee.

In just a matter of days, Denise and her husband William Lee discussed looking into this opportunity more closely.

They did their homework, as most professionals do, before deciding to reach out to Lenika & Gregg Scott, current Ambassadors in Total Life Changes. “God put it in my spirit to reach out to Lenika Scott in December of 2013, after seeing a post on Facebook that she and Gregg were involved in something that was going to be big.

They told us about TLC and we joined right away.  But we sat on the opportunity for 6 months in fear that people wouldn't join us. We had been in a couple of network marketing companies before and we just did not get the kind of results that we had projected and it caused us to lose faith in the industry” adds Denise.

In July of 2014, Denise and William realized that Gregg and Lenika were receiving new rank rings and being recognized as National Directors in Total Life Changes. “William and I looked at each other and thought to ourselves, that could have been us. 

At that moment we decided to take a leap of faith and started working the business. We took massive action by doing opportunity calls daily and developed our own testimonies about the products. Before we knew it, we had a team of leaders.”

William and Denise Lee began hosting events on the weekends, known as “Super Saturdays”. Team Leaders seek potential clients through word of mouth, emails, postcards, “blitz” cards and of course social media. Attendees have the opportunity to sample TLC products, most notably their signature product, Iaso™ Tea, which has been a top seller for years.

The Super Saturday events continued to attract more and more prospects; many seeking a way to earn additional income on a part-time basis while others were planning to make TLC their primary business. “We went from considering downsizing our home and not knowing how we were going to pay for college for our daughter, to dreaming once again”.

“Our lives have completely changed in five short months. We now have an awesome team of over 3,500 people; and we accomplished this by working TLC on just a part-time basis. This is the first company that we have been a part of where the average person can make money.

The products sell themselves. God blessed us with this opportunity and we are going all the way to the top. 2015 is going to be an incredible year!”

About Total Life Changes

Total Life Changes maintains an active vision of selecting and providing superior products that have a lasting effect on consumer’s health while providing these same customers with an opportunity to CHANGE their socioeconomic status through a rewarding binary compensation plan.

"You may have learned that Minh Ho and Julie Campagna have sued Talk Fusion and Bob Reina in State Court in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Minh and Julie recently posted a statement and a copy of the complaint on the internet. Talk Fusion has not yet been served with the complaint and will respond accordingly once it is served.

The legal action against Talk Fusion and Bob is baseless. Minh and Julie were in a top position within Talk Fusion and successfully operated under Talk Fusion’s Policies and Pay Plan for years.

Talk Fusion recently received a complaint from another Talk Fusion Associate that Minh and Julie had engaged in cross sponsoring. Talk Fusion began an investigation which confirmed Minh and Julie had engaged in cross sponsoring and revealed a number of other major violations of Talk Fusion’s Policies.

Talk Fusion suspended Minh and Julie’s account, informed Minh and Julie of the violations, and provided them an opportunity to respond. Talk Fusion even attempted to work with Minh and Julie to reach an appropriate sanction that would keep them in Talk Fusion.

Minh and Julie were not receptive and left Talk Fusion to join another network marketing company. Minh and Julie’s suspension and their departure have had no discernable effect on Talk Fusion’s business.

Minh and Julie now allege the Policies and Pay Plan that made them successful were unfair.  Minh and Julie’s allegations are untrue.  The Policies and Pay Plan has not had any significant changes since Talk Fusion began operating.

Anyone familiar with Talk Fusion knows this. Minh and Julie were Independent Associates, and as independent business people they from time to time decided to make investments in their business.  They were not coerced to invest in their own business by Talk Fusion or Bob Reina.

The lawsuit by Minh and Julie was expected. Distractors of Talk Fusion and Bob Reina will try to take advantage of the unproven allegation in the complaint.  Anyone can make allegations in a lawsuit.  Proving them is a different matter. Talk Fusion and Bob are confident they will prevail, but the internet is not the appropriate forum to contest a lawsuit.  If anything, Minh and Julie’s lawsuit proves that if you work hard and play by the rules, you can have a long and successful business through Talk Fusion".

Sincerely,

Talk Fusion Corporate

Bidnessetc.com conducted a survey and the results are promising. They explain below: 

Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE:HLF) stock has dropped 51.18% year-to-date (YTD), due to weaker-than-expected financial results for its past two quarters and rising concerns of the company running a pyramid scheme.

To get some insight into the demand for Herbalife’s products and the company’s business model, Bidness Etc conducted a survey of Herbalife’s distributors.

The results of our survey support the argument that real demand for Herbalife’s products exists, distributors remain largely satisfied with the company, international regions like South Africa remain strong drivers of growth for the company, and company sales are continuing to grow in both developed and developing markets.

The survey was conducted from December 16 — December 19, on 26 Herbalife distributors from the US and 25 distributors from international markets, including China, South Africa, Germany, the Middle East, and India.

After analyzing the survey results, we have shortlisted seven eminent themes for Herbalife Ltd., which are as follows:

Strong Growth In Demand For Products

According to most respondents, from both US and international markets, sales for Herbalife products are growing at a high rate. 92% of the US respondents said their sales of Herbalife products have increased compared to last month, while 96% of international respondents stated the same.

Distributor Janet Gayle from New York, US stated: “I have sold more [Herbalife products] this month compared to last month.” Other respondents from US, Europe, and India were optimistic about further improvement in sales during Christmas, and the growing demand for Herbalife products.

An individual distributor from Germany stated: “Herbalife product sales are booming like crazy in Europe,” while a respondent from India claimed: “The Herbalife market is a growing market in the entire country.”

The distributors claim there is strong growth in sales for the company’s products, while many US distributors usually run out of stock as well. Demand for Herbalife products in the US is outpacing even distributors’ expectations. However, the stock outs are more common in the US than the international markets, as US distributors tend to order lower quantities to meet product demand for two to four weeks. Distributors in international markets order larger quantities.

According to various international respondents, higher-than-expected sales for certain new Herbalife products have caused stock-outs as well.

“Usually, the products with high demand run out of stock. Our new skin product was on a seven-day trial, and it was so good that its demand increased and the product went out of stock,” stated a distributor from Germany.

The following responses were received when the survey respondents were asked: “Did you have more stock-outs for Herbalife products this month, compared to last month?”

Distributors Remain Satisfied

Most of Herbalife’s distributors are content and pleased with the business opportunity with Herbalife. About 92% of the respondents said they want to continue doing business with Herbalife in the future, while the rest had mixed opinions. The responses from the US and other countries were surprisingly similar.

The Healthy Home Company has a mission to make the home a safer place to raise families. In-Vest USA is dedicated to supporting our communities by helping protect those who protect us – our first responders. Today, these two organizations have joined forces to save the lives of law enforcement officers by providing them with body armor through In-Vest’s USA’s Bless the Vest campaign to avoid future incidents like the tragic shootings that happened this past week in New York.

In-Vest USA’s Bless the Vest campaign provides law enforcement officers with protective body armor vests to wear while on duty protecting our families, communities and homeland. While many believe that officers are provided a vest as part of their equipment, this is far from the truth.

Facts: 

• An officer not wearing a body armor vest is 14 times more likely to be killed by a firearm than an officer wearing a vest.
• 40% of officers (almost 400,000) do not have a protective vest.
• Of those who do have a protective vest to wear on duty, nearly 20% of those vests do not fit properly. A properly fitting vest can mean the difference between life and death.
• Body armor vests must be replaced every 5 years and cost around $700 each, which is a small price to pay for the lives of our law enforcement officers.

In-Vest USA, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has distributed more than 3,500 free, bullet-proof vests to police officers through its grassroots volunteer organization. But that is just a drop in the bucket. The Healthy Home Company has partnered with In-Vest to give you a chance to make a difference and perhaps even save the life of one of our country’s first responders.