Company Profile: National Companies

From the National Companies web site:

National Companies, Inc is a multi-million dollar direct sales company located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. National is a coast-to-coast business that markets 30 different products and services in over a dozen industries. National provides membership savings for benefit package owners who purchase goods and services such as home furnishings, communications, fine jewelry and more.

National is an active member of the prestigious Direct Selling Association, DSA. There are thousands of direct selling companies in the U.S. but just over 200 member companies. Every member company pledges to abide by a strict code of ethics, standards and procedures. National proudly supports their efforts.

National is a registered member of Dun and Bradstreet, a proud member of the United States Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Better Business Bureau of South East Florida.

In 1996 Dick Loehr, our founder, began developing a company to provide benefits and services. In 1997, he provided his benefits package to a small direct selling company that began business in 1992. Over the next 2 years, Dick and his leadership team continued to enhance the benefits and services provided in the package.

Read more about the history of the National Companies.

USANA plans for Philippines operations by 2009

CNN Money

Nutritional supplement maker USANA Health Sciences Inc. said Thursday it plans to begin operations in the Philippines by early 2009.

Direct-selling revenue totals about $500 million per year in the Philippines, the company said, citing the Direct Selling Association of the Philippines.

Mannatech slashes quarterly dividend

Forbes.com

Mannatech Inc.'s board has cut its quarterly dividend by 7 cents to 2 cents.

The dietary supplement and skin care product maker said Wednesday the dividend will be payable on Sept. 29 to stockholders of record as of Sept. 10.

"Reflecting our lower quarterly sales and recruiting, we believe it is financially prudent to adjust our dividend downward," said CEO Wayne Badovinus in a statement. "Strong liquidity is an important factor in our ongoing turnaround efforts and this action will make an important contribution."

Seventh International Phytochemical Conference Focuses on Health Promotion and Therapeutic Potential

PR Web

The Seventh International Phytochemical Conference, "Phytochemicals: Health Promotion and Therapeutic Potential", highlights the most current research on phytonutrients and their impact on a variety of chronic conditions. The conference is sponsored by the Nutrilite Health Institute and the Department of Human Nutrition and Food Science in the College of Agriculture at California State Polytechnic University (CSPU). It will be held Oct. 20-21, 2008, at the Nutrilite Health Institute's (NHI) Center for Optimal Health in Buena Park, Calif.

An international roster of recognized scientists will present a wide range of topics around phytonutrients including skin health, bone and joint health, brain health, obesity and metabolism, as well as cancer and vascular function.

"There is increasing evidence that certain phytochemicals may reduce an individual's risk for chronic disease", says Audra Davies, Director of Nutrition Product Development. "While there has long been an abundance of evidence that higher intakes of fruits and vegetables are associated with lower risks for chronic disease, specific mechanisms for these relationships have been more difficult to explain. This conference will provide a better understanding of these relationships, and will facilitate discussions that may serve to inspire important future research

Inc. Magazine Lists Isagenix® Among Fastest-Growing Companies

PR Web

The rapid growth of Isagenix® has earned the World Leader in Nutritional Cleansing™ a spot on Inc. magazine's 2008 list of the 5000 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. for the second year in a row. Isagenix is ranked No. 1,284, up 247 spots from last year.

"We are honored to be part of the Inc. 5000 list for the second year in a row as it recognizes Isagenix and our mission to become the largest health-and-wellness company in the world," says Jim Coover, Isagenix President and CEO. "Our growth represents the hundreds of thousands of people we have been able to impact by offering them greater health and wealth."

Isagenix has experienced a 296 percent growth over the last four years, which has also been fueled by its recent international expansion to Taiwan. Isagenix has more than 200,000 members worldwide who use the company's products and systems, which are currently sold in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Isagenix is also ranked No. 82 in Inc. 5000's list of the top companies in the health industry

Inc. magazine also recognized Isagenix as "notable" for its products and systems, which in addition to helping thousands achieve greater health and wellness, have helped 114 people lose 100 pounds or more and helped seven people lose 200 pounds or more.

Amway Global embarks on brand awareness campaign

PRWeek US

Amway Global, a manufacturer of products such as beauty brand Artistry and vitamin supplement Nutrilite, and direct-seller company, has embarked on a corporate rebranding campaign to raise awareness of the overall brand in the health and wellness category and phase out the Quixtar name and brand. The company has operated as Quixtar North America/Amway Global but is transitioning to the Amway Global name by 2009. Efforts are geared toward consumers and the company's independent sales representatives, and will feature specific products to aid awareness.

Beth Dornan, director of marketing services at the company, said that brand awareness among Americans is 80%, but consumers still associate Amway with the cleaning products it produced 50 years ago rather than its beauty and health offerings.

Working with its AOR Weber Shandwick Minneapolis, Amway has partnered with the YMCA in its consumer campaign to support the Y's wellness-oriented Activate America program. On September 20, the team will organize events at 100 different locations and announce the results of its joint "state of wellness survey."

Avon introduces its first podcast in London

domain-b.com

In an attempt to further move its business model from doorstep to digital, the 'digital Avon lady' will go live tomorrow. It will feature make-up artist Jackie Tyson and real life Avon representative, Hannah Rowlett.

The podcast aims at addressing Avon's customers, through the two women who will answer the typical questions posed by customers. The content will also include tips and handy hints on how to get the latest looks and which new products are a must this Autumn.

The opening podcast will focus on Avon's collaboration with Marimekko, the Finnish design house which lends its floral motif to Avon's colour collection.

Former TXU Vice Chairman, President and COO Invests in Ambit Energy

NewswireToday

Ambit Energy, L.P., announced today that former Vice Chairman, President and COO of TXU, David W. Biegler, has joined the company as an investor and advisor to the executive management team.

A 40-year veteran of the energy industry, Mr. Biegler currently serves as Chairman of Estrella Energy, L.P., a natural gas transportation and processing firm. He retired from TXU as Vice Chairman in 2001.

"This is the first time I have invested in a Texas-based electric retail provider. I like Ambit’s experienced management team, its home-grown systems, its expansion into New York and Illinois, and its remarkable business model. The company has had phenomenal growth and has demonstrated its ability to manage that growth very well. Ambit's strategic partnership with Shell Energy Trading speaks a lot about the respect Ambit has earned from the giants in the industry in such a short amount of time. I am excited about the opportunity to play a role in helping Ambit reach its potential and about joining this group of investors," said Mr. Biegler.

Chinese Professor Joins Herbalife's Nutrition Advisory Board

MarketWatch

Herbalife Ltd. , a global nutrition and direct selling company, announced that Dr. Linong Ji has joined the company's Nutrition Advisory Board.

The nutrition advisory board is comprised of leading experts around the world in the fields of nutrition and health who educate and train Herbalife independent distributors and, in China, sales employees on the principles of nutrition, physical activity and healthy lifestyle. The board is chaired by David Heber, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Ji is the director of endocrinology department at the People's Hospital of Peking University in China and a co-director of the Peking University Diabetes Center. He is also the president of the Endocrine and Metabolic Physician Society under the Chinese Physician Association, a director of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and the International Diabetes Federation Western Pacific region in Asia (IDF-WPR), and chief editor of China Diabetes Magazine. Ji's studies are focused on clinical work in endocrine and research in molecular genetics of diabetes mellitus and its treatment.

Melaleuca Scientists Make "Revolutionary" Breakthrough

KIDK.com

Melaleuca President and C.E.O. Frank Vandersloot unveiled a new product in front of thousands of excited customers.

"We've never announced any product as a big breakthrough. This is a breakthrough," said Vandersloot.

For years, the company has been working with some of the world's best scientists from George Washington University and the University of Iowa to come up with a product that will permanently change the vitamin and supplement industry.

"We think it's going to make a big difference in the nutrition world," said Vandersloot.

SimplyFun Offers Opportunity for Parents to Stay Home in Tough Economic Times

MarketWatch

Between escalating gas prices and continued cost increases with groceries, the current position of the economy has left many stay-at-home parents facing the issue of having to go back to work. However, the direct selling industry offers an opportunity for parents to go back to work, while staying at home.
According to Chief Funster and co-founder of SimplyFun, Gail DeGiulio, direct selling companies, like SimplyFun, allow parents to make their own hours, have unlimited earning potential and, most importantly, work from home.
Today, there are some 61 million direct sellers in more than 170 countries in the world, with sales of more than $111 billion, according to a recent report by the Direct Selling Association. Under preliminary figures from the Association's annual Growth and Outlook Survey, 15 million people worked as direct sellers in the United States last year.
DeGiulio attributes some of that growth to the advantages direct selling holds for stay-at-home parents.

RELV Reliv Celebrates 20th Anniversary With More Than 4,300 Distributors

Trading Markets

Reliv International, Inc. celebrated its 20th anniversary at its annual international conference here this weekend. The conference theme was "Cheers to 20 Years," and Reliv distributors from nine countries participated.

Highlights of the conference included:

* The announcement of a new automatic shipment program designed to improve customer retention and increase sales.
* A one-mile walk/5-K run involving more than 3,400 Reliv distributors that raised $68,000 for the Reliv Kalogris Foundation. The foundation provides free nutritional supplements to more than 42,000 people at more than 270 feeding centers. Separately from the walk/run event, the Reliv Foundation raised an additional $10,000.
* Recognition for hundreds of distributors' accomplishments over the last 12 months, including the announcement of winners of incentive trips.

Announcing Launch of Revolutionary Network Marketing Free Lead Generation Tool

PRWeb

A new free lead generation system designed exclusively for struggling network marketers is released August 18th -- the Viral Prospector System. Designed to assist all network marketers make money online and generate residual income using free marketing strategies and generating quality leads for free.

The Viral Prospector system reveals the secrets of internet and online marketing. The comprehensive Marketing training center and back office provides step by step video tutorials to leverage the network marketers time.

The Viral Prospector system trains the marketer on cutting edge internet marketing strategies, lying to rest old time traditional and now ineffective mlm marketing methods such as the "3 foot rule."

The Viral Prospector specifically addresses the biggest problem that most network marketing professionals face in their internet business which is the inability to generate enough good quality prospects to their products or services. The second problem the Viral Prospector address is the issue of team duplication. The Viral Prospector system is designed to teach each new member the specific marketing strategies that will create, for the user, a strong internet presence. By following the step by step video tutorials, and applying these strategies team duplication rates will dramatically increase. This duplication of lead generation is the foundation of online profits and residual income.

YTB Tells SEC It Will Defend Against CA Charges

Travel Agent Central

In a statement to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), YTB acknowledged the recent action by the California State Attorney General and said it will "vigorously defend" itself. "The complaint alleges that the defendants violated California’s unfair competition and advertising laws" YTB said. "The company believes it has operated in full compliance with California law and intends to vigorously defend the case."

Scott Tomer, CEO of the Company, stated "we are disappointed that the state has decided to take this action. We firmly believe that the facts in this matter support our position and our legal counsel has advised us that our position is strong."

On August 4, 2008, a civil action was filed against three subsidiaries of YTB International, Inc. and certain executive officers of the company in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, by the California Attorney General.

Philadelphia Lawyers, Pelagatti & Pelagatti, Sue GeneLink and Their Subsidiary for Fraud

MarketWatch

GeneLink, Inc. and its new marketing subsidiary, GeneWize Life Sciences, Inc., have been sued for fraud in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court by GeneLink's former CEO and Board Chairman, John DePhillipo and his wife, Maria for approximately twenty million dollars ($20,000,000).

DePhillipo claims that GeneLink's lawyer fraudulently misrepresented the financial state of GeneLink to him and the trial judge in order to induce the former CEO to settle his law suit for salary arrearages which he had filed against GeneLink in Atlantic County, New Jersey.

On April 14, 2008, at about the same time DePhillipo agreed to settle his lawsuit in court for cash by surrendering almost 4,000,000 of his shares for 6 cents a share, GeneLink intentionally released their late annual report disclosing the formation of its marketing arm, GeneWize, which had sold presidential founder memberships at $1,000.00 each and 4000 prospective dealerships for $500.00 each.

Amway shifts its strategy to the luxury segment

Business Standard

The company, working on the multi-level marketing (MLM) system, is promoting new products every year, as the market is "extremely sensitive to quality products," according to the company’s Branch Manager, George Popescu, for Business Standard.

"We recently launched the Luxury cream. Within the first month, it became the best sold Amway product, of a total 700 products we have," Popescu added.

He indicated that the company entered the luxury segment due to the demand on local and international markets. "We considered that the market is demanding such a product at this time, and that people are willing to spend more on such a product," Popescu said. Other luxury products are to be launched this fall, he added.

YTB Wins Support of Former ASTA President

Travel Agent Central

"YTB may well be the future of retail travel sales and deserves close study by the industry not condemnation," Phil Davidoff, president of Davidoff Associates and a former president of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) told Travel Agent in an interview.

Both Phil and his wife/partner, Doris Davidoff, taught two seminars at YTB’s recent national convention in St. Louis and offered praise for the quality of the estimated 15,000 to 20,000 agents who attended.

"The quality, degree of interest in travel as a profession and the awareness of the travel industry’s need for professionalism was clear to us," Phil said. Phil and Doris are CTCs, CTIEs and MCCs, and long-standing "establishment" advocates.

The Davidoffs have been working with YTB to enhance its travel agent program along with another respected educator, Marc Mancini, who is assisting YTB in creating a comprehensive professional education and training program. "YTB is aggressively expanding its professional education program and we believe will produce productive and professional agents that will be a credit to the industry," Mancini said.

Amway Global To Launch Mobile Brand Experiences

MarketWatch

Amway Global today announced that it will launch a North American tour of mobile brand experiences to increase consumer awareness of its two flagship brands, NUTRILITE(R) vitamin, mineral, and dietary supplements; and ARTISTRY(R) skin care and cosmetics.
The tour will feature two customized vehicles that will educate consumers about the brands and offer opportunities for product sampling. The vehicles, a customized motor coach featuring the ARTISTRY brand and a customized semi trailer featuring a NUTRILITE experience, will begin touring October 1 in support of Amway Global's Presenting Sponsorship of "Tina Turner Live in Concert."
"This campaign is unlike anything Amway Global has done before," says Steve Lieberman, Managing Director of Quixtar North America/Amway Global. "We're incredibly proud of our ARTISTRY and NUTRILITE brands, but they've been two of the world's best-kept secrets. We intend to change that by literally taking these brands on the road and introducing them to consumers. We're excited to take to the streets, show consumers what we're all about, and support the Independent Business Owners (IBOs) who sell these products and have made these brands global leaders in their categories."

BPI Finalizes National Network Marketing Agreement

CNN Money

Bionic Products, Inc. (PINKSHEETS: BNPD) announced today that the Company has finalized its exclusive agreement with a Major California National Network Marketing Group for Bionic-Tonic(TM) and LadyPink(TM) all natural Energy Drinks.

Mr. J.D. Pulver, Senior VP of Bionic Products commented, "The negotiations were finalized in Las Vegas on Friday for the roll-out of the Network Marketing Program with a leading California based marketing group. BPI products "Bionic-Tonic(TM) & LadyPink(TM)" will have the exposure to an established network of over 5,000 representatives from day one of the launch. This will generate immediate sales and revenues of the product, with continued growth as the network begins to expose the all natural BPI product line."

BPI intends to accelerate the awareness program with the launch of the company's enhanced website in the very near future. The web program offers consumers the ability to receive free samples of "Bionic-Tonic" & "Lady Pink," & Bionic-Inoculation, shot size, non-carbonated boosters, all natural energy drinks, with the ability to order Factory Direct products from the company's website with credit/debit card capabilities.

Henry Marsh: a success story

Deseret News

He's a full-time businessman now, but the wall of Henry Marsh's office offers the first hint of another life. There's a large photo of a man leaping over a water barrier in a track and field meet in Berlin. It's a younger, slimmer Marsh en route to setting an American record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase in 1983.

It's been 20 years since he ran his last race, but with the arrival of another Olympics, Marsh, a four-time Olympic distance runner, muses on the connection of careers.

"Athletics prepared me for this," he says in his office. "I haven't encountered any situation in business that even comes close to the pressure and stress you experience at the Olympics. I've been through the refiner's fire."

Reliv International Promotes Steven Albright to Senior Vice President

MarketWatch

Reliv International, Inc., a nutritional supplements and direct sales company, today announced the promotion of Steven D. Albright to senior vice president of finance. Albright also is the chief financial officer of Reliv.

Albright is responsible for materials management and purchasing, information technology, human resources and finance.

"Steve plays a key role on our Executive Management Team and continues to prove his value to Reliv," said R. Scott Montgomery, executive vice president and chief operating officer. "Steve's financial leadership is critical to our continued success."

XELR8 Holdings Announces Second Quarter and Six Months Financial Results

MSN Money

XELR8 Holdings, Inc., a provider of functional foods, beverages and nutritional supplements, announced today its financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008.

Financial and operational highlights for second quarter and six months:

-- Revenues increased 64% in the quarter and 71% in the six months period

-- Gross profit was $1.8 million in the quarter and $3.0 million during

Amway, YMCA To Team Up

Detroit Free Press

Amway Global and YMCA of the USA have announced that they will work together to expand the reach and impact of the YMCA's efforts to build healthier communities across America.

As part of the collaboration, Amway Global, based in Ada, is making a financial contribution to support Activate America, the YMCA's effort to improve the nation's health.

YTB Conventioneers Undeterred Despite Probes Into Business

STLtoday

Wood River-based travel company YTB International may be under a growing cloud of scrutiny over its business practices, but Friday morning, they still threw quite a party.

Some 18,000 YTB travel agents and sales reps came to America's Center for the company's annual convention, a four-day festival of inspiration and marketing themed "Liberty and Travel for All." And while by Friday they'd all pretty much heard about the $25 million lawsuit filed this week against YTB and its top executives by California Attorney General Jerry Brown, they didn't seem to be letting it much bother them.

They chanted "YTB! YTB!" before the show started and got to their feet time and again to applaud the company's founders and top salespeople. They wore matching T-shirts or YTB-themed Hawaiian shirts. They waved flags and snapped pictures. Some took careful notes.

Mannatech reports Q2 loss, pending litigation plays role

Dallas Business Journal

Mannatech Inc., a dietary supplement and skin care provider, posted an 800 percent profit decline in the second quarter on expenses relate to litigation, higher operating costs and charges related to layoffs.

Coppell-based Mannatech (Nasdaq: MTEX) posted a second quarter loss of $10.5 million, or 40 cents per diluted share, down from a profit of $1.5 million, or 6 cents per share, last year.The company’s also reported a pre-tax loss of $16.9 million during the most recent second quarter, compared to a pre-tax income of $2.6 million last year.

Sales fell 22.3 percent to $86.8 million from $111.7 million in the second quarter of 2007. Mannatech’s leadership blames the decline on a 31.8 percent decrease in North American sales and a 2.2 percent drop in international sales.

Ad company accused of bilking Tampa investors

Tampa Bay Business Journal

A lawsuit was filed against AdSurfDaily Wednesday claiming it operated a pyramid scheme against consumers in Tampa and Miami.

The suit was filed by the state attorney general’s office and is seeking civil damages on behalf of what it says are victims as well as an injunction preventing AdSurfDaily president Andy Bowdoin Jr. and its employees from engaging in any further deceptive marketing.

The lawsuit comes soon after the U.S. Secret Service raided the company’s headquarters in Quincy Aug. 5 and froze $53 million in bank accounts held by the company.

The attorney general’s office claims that AdSurfDaily conducted a multi-level marketing scheme that depended on new investments to fund returns, since the company had insufficient funds itself to support the returns promised.