What's Amway got to do with it?

MLive.com

Market research found only 3 percent of Americans recognized the Quixtar name.

But 77 percent still knew Amway, even after it had been shelved for eight years.

Perhaps more important, younger people knew Amway but did not associate the name with pyramids and legal battles that have dogged Amway in the past.

Company leaders realized they had an asset they weren't exploiting. "I'd rather build on 77 percent than 3," Lieberman said.

Beginning Tuesday, the North American operation takes on the Amway Global name and brand. By next spring, the slowly fading Quixtar name will be dropped altogether.

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

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."

Interleukin Genetics Launches Enhanced Heart Health Genetic Test Report Format

CNN Money

Interleukin Genetics, Inc. , today announced the launch of an enhanced test report format and information package for the company’s Heart Health Genetic Test. The test is currently marketed under the brand name Gensona(R) Heart Health Genetic Test by Quixtar/Amway. The new report will include quantified risk information on heart attack and coronary artery disease generated from clinical studies and conducted by the company. The company believes that this enhanced report format will provide individuals and their physicians more complete information about a person’s inflammation-based genetic risk factor for a heart attack. The new package also provides information on the science behind the genetic test and information to help people understand preventive measures and actions that can be taken to lower the risk of heart disease.

In addition, the company will conduct scientific lectures on the Gensona(R) test for interested Quixtar/Amway individual business owners at their scheduled conferences. The first of these lectures will be on Saturday morning and afternoon, July 26, 2008 at the Nardone/Melillo/Callendar conference at the Radisson Valley Forge Hotel & Convention Center in Valley Forge, PA. Thousands of attendees are expected at the conference.

Universal Forest Products, Inc. Announces New Director

MarketWatch

Universal Forest Products, Inc. today announced that Bill Payne, chief of staff for Alticor Inc., has been appointed to the Company's board of directors and is expected to stand for election at the Company's annual shareholders meeting in April 2009. The appointment was approved by the board at its July 16, 2008 meeting.

"Bill Payne is an excellent addition to our board of directors," said Executive Chairman William G. Currie. "He brings well-cultivated business skills, a strong aptitude for strategy and an understanding of our company, business and culture. We look forward to his contributions to our company and success."

Payne was appointed as part of the board's succession plan to fill the seat expected to be vacated by Chairman Emeritus Peter Secchia, who is set to retire in 2009 at age 72, in accordance with Company policy. Appointing Payne now facilitates a smooth transition.

Nutrilite's New Sport Cookie Revs Up Recovery

PR Web

NUTRILITE® introduces new Sports Cookies that provide an optimized carbohydrate-to-protein ratio for faster muscle recovery and reduced muscle damage. The cookies include the exclusive NUTRILITE® C-Lenium Blend to offer antioxidant protection from harmful free radicals generated by intense and prolonged exercise.

NUTRILITE Sports Cookies aid the recovery process of muscles after an intense workout. They're also effective as a higher carbohydrate energy snack that is also a good source of protein and fiber. NUTRILITE Sports Cookies come in two delicious flavors - lemon and cranberry oatmeal - and are a good source of vitamin C, and have no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

"NUTRILITE Sport Cookies are a perfect fit for our sports nutrition line because it's convenient for on-the-go people and has something for everyone, no matter what your fitness level," says Brian Geers, Manager - Health Marketing for Quixtar. "It's an ideal option if you're looking for faster muscle recovery after a tough workout or if you just want an energy-boosting snack that has a blend of carbs, protein, and fiber."

IBOAI Board of Directors Calls MonaVie Initiative a Publicity Stunt

Business Wire

The Board of Directors of the Independent Business Owners Association International (http://www.iboai.com), the primary advocacy organization representing hundreds of thousands of independent business owners (IBOs) powered by Quixtar/Amway Global (http://www.quixtar.com), today issued this statement in response to an initiative announced by MonaVie, a direct selling organization that competes with Quixtar/Amway Global.

“The so-called ‘Global Free Agent Initiative’ announced by MonaVie on April 2 is, we believe, nothing more than a publicity stunt, as they cannot actually expect to overturn scores of Court rulings that support the concept of short-term non-compete agreements for independent contractors. Independent contractors in direct-selling organizations such as Quixtar/Amway Global possess unique knowledge and networks that they have built with the extensive support of their parent organization. The parent organization, and other independent contractors who do not wish to change their affiliation, deserve a degree of protection when any individual wishes to resign or is terminated from his business.

“There is also no coincidence in the timing of MonaVie’s announcement, coming on the heels of their being joined, with great fanfare, by terminated Quixtar/Amway Global distributor Orrin Woodward. Woodward, along with certain associates, is already the focus of a lawsuit alleging that he has encouraged thousands of independent contractors to violate their non-compete agreements in order to join with him at MonaVie and in his other business enterprises. MonaVie is also the target of a similar complaint. Starting with the day of his termination, Woodward has orchestrated an Internet-centered propaganda campaign which has hurt those to whom he was previously loyal, including thousands of Quixtar/Amway Global independent business owners.

Amway Taking Back Its Name In Multimillion-Dollar Campaign

MediaPost Publications

Alticor's global direct sales units, Amway, is undergoing a brand revamp in 2008 that will be completed in 2009, the company's 50th anniversary.

The company, which since 1999 has made Quixtar North America its online brand ID--and de facto brand--in this country, is bringing back Amway as the global brand, and eliminating the Quixtar name entirely.

This year, the division of Ada, Mich.-based Alticor will consolidate under Amway Global and will launch what it is calling a multimillion-dollar effort to tout the Amway brand anew with advertising, media and PR efforts telling "a compelling and dynamic story of the business opportunity in North America."

Quixtar Files Suit Against MonaVie To Protect Consumers, Halt Unfair Competition

The Earth Times

Quixtar North America has filed a multi-count Complaint against MonaVie (Mona Vie, Inc. and MonaVie LLC), and several MonaVie distributors for unfair competition in federal court in Salt Lake City. The Complaint alleges that MonaVie competes unfairly by making false claims about its products. Utah-based MonaVie sells juice blend products featuring acai berries through a network of distributors. Quixtar, a sister company to Amway Corporation, sells nutritional products through its Independent Business Owners (IBOs) that directly compete with MonaVie. Some of Quixtar's products also contain acai berries.

Quixtar's filing is intended to protect consumers from false health claims as well as ensure its IBOs are not damaged from unfair competition stemming from false claims. Quixtar, a respected member of the Direct Selling Association, also hopes to protect other direct selling companies from MonaVie's deceptive tactics.

The Complaint contains numerous examples of false health claims made by MonaVie and its distributors. For example, the Complaint includes transcripts of MonaVie meetings with speeches by "doctors" who falsely claim that MonaVie can cure cancer, stop aging at a rapid pace, improve vision, and eliminate pain. The "doctors" describe "dosages" of MonaVie to falsely imply that it is a medicine.

Powered by ScribeFire.

Ronaldinho joins Team Nutrilite

Get The Facts

I've known about this for a while but thought I'd be nice and withhold it until Nutrilite made the official announcement on Thursday, February 28. However, as pointed out by aliveone, it's already made the papers nearly 2 months ago!

Brazil and Barcelona footballer Ronaldinho is the new spokesperson for Nutrilite and Nutriway, joining world class athletes Asafa Powell, Sanya Richards, Liu Xiang, and Jenn Stuczinsky.

While perhaps not so well known to American audiences, Ronaldinho is a superstar in much of the rest of the world, widely regarded as one of the best footballers of his generation. Ronaldinho first came to public attention as a 13 year old, when he scored all 23 goals in a 23-0 drubbing of a local team in his hometown! Since then he has won all of the major awards football has to offer.

Powered by ScribeFire.

Helping Americans Naturally Lose Weight, Quixtar Introduces Nutrilite Slimmetry

PR Web

The struggle to shed pounds through diet and exercise alone is a losing battle for many Americans, yet dietary supplements designed to help fight the battle of the bulge often over promise and under deliver. Quixtar Inc. and its sister company, Amway Corporation, are launching an all-natural dietary supplement that was shown in a human clinical trial to deliver statistically significant weight loss when used in conjunction with regular physical activity and a low calorie diet.

Quixtar is offering NUTRILITE® SLIMMETRY™ dietary supplement as part of the NUTRILITE product line. NUTRILITE is the world's leading brand of vitamin, mineral and dietary supplements*. It's the only global vitamin and mineral brand to grow, harvest, and process plants on its own certified organic farms**. Quixtar chose SLIMMETRY because it is all-natural and clinically tested, further supporting NUTRILITE's commitment to promoting optimal health through natural methods.

"NUTRILITE is excited to include SLIMMETRY in its product line as it is a clinically tested and patent-pending formula demonstrating statistically significant weight loss, and more importantly, significant fat loss, in a well-controlled human study," says Robin Dykhouse, Vice-President, Health & Beauty Research and Product Development for Access Business Group, a sister company to Amway and Quixtar, and manufacturer of NUTRILITE products.

Powered by ScribeFire.

Quixtar.com Details Fiscal 2007 Sales

Michigan Technology News

Quixtar.Com on Friday finally released more details for its fiscal 2007 sales - $1.072 billion, down from $1.12 billion in fiscal 2006. The Alticor eCommerce web site cracked the billion-dollar sales mark for the fifth year in a row. No net income figures were reported.

Results were affected minimally by actions the company took to terminate the business of a few Independent Business Owners in August of 2007 after they refused to change unacceptable practices.

Quixtar.Com doesn’t sell directly to consumers, rather through a multi-level marketing sales system. The middle men are called Independent Business Owners. The commissions earned by the IBO’s totaled $363 million, which also included $70.1 million in sales at Quixtar’s Partner stores.
Since 1999, IBOs have earned nearly $2.6 billion based on total Quixtar sales of more than $7.86 billion and Partner Store sales of more than $577 million.

Powered by ScribeFire.

Nitro: Case dismissed

Alticor Media Blog:

"Happy to report to you that the Nitro case in Missouri has been dismissed by a federal judge.

The ruling itself is under seal at this point, so we can’t discuss or quote the specific findings and conclusions—at least, not yet.

But the fact that the case has been dismissed is a matter of public record. So we decided to share the news because this was one of those cases where the trial lawyers on the other side made sliming us publicly part of their legal strategy. It’s a terribly cynical approach, designed to intimidate the company and shake the confidence of our business owners."

Quixtar Cracks $1 Billion Sales Mark For Fifth Straight Year

Michigan Technology News:

"Quixtar, the online business site for Alticor, reported Wednesday that its sales fell slightly in 2007, but remained above the $1 billion-mark for the fifth consecutive year.

But the company did not provide any further financial guidance on the exact sales figure for Quixtar or net income.

Quixtar in North America will gradually transition to the Amway name by 2009.

Alticor and its subsidiaries, including Quixtar, reported record sales of more than $7.1 billion for the year ended Dec. 31, a 12-percent increase over the $6.3 billion recorded in 2006.

The Quixtar.Com site was substantially revised in 2007, allowing easier and simpler navigation and offering more product information to consumers. Training and support to Independent Business Owners (IBOs) is bolstered by the launch of Quixtar University, which will provide IBOs with Web-based sales and brand training."

Warning! Amway Warns of Bogus Internet Charity Scam

SunHerald.com :

"Amway Corporation (Quixtar in the U.S. and Canada) has discovered an internet scam that uses a bogus Amway charity as a lure. Amway cautions individuals to be on the lookout for e-mails from a group calling itself the 'Amway Children Charity Foundation'.

Please be advised that this is not an Amway-sanctioned program and the name, program and people indicated in the e-mails are not related to Amway in any way and do not have Amway's authority or support.

The goal of the scam is to trick people into sending money to the fraudulent charity. The bogus group sends an e-mail informing the recipient that he/she has been selected as a recipient of a grant to help establish a children's help center to assist poor children in the area."

E-commerce: Amway's Online Optimism

Warsaw Business Journal Online:

"Poland has vast potential for growth in e-commerce, but investment in infrastructure and logistics are imperative, says Marek Sodolski, general manager of Amway Polska

Konrad Kiedrzyński: We hear voices of optimism and enthusiasm in the e-commerce branch, but is the picture really so rosy? What challenges does the sector face, both worldwide and in Poland?

Marek Sodolski: I am generally optimistic about e-commerce, including in Poland. Given the 30 percent [broadband] penetration in Polish society, the share of online transactions in our sales in Poland reaches 80 percent - a higher ratio than in the US. In addition, many 'traditional' companies are increasing their percentage of e-business activity in their operations."

Quixtar: A Message from the Chairman of the IBOAI Board of Directors

Crazy World:

"A quick reminder; the IBOAI Board and staff work for all IBOs in the Field. We will do our very best to make sure you hear from us regularly. We will keep the lines of communication open with the various LOS and LOA leaders. The fantastic IBOAI staff is always available to assist in any way they can.

When Quixtar announced the upcoming name change in June 2007, they titled the announcement: Brand New Day. I believe it accurately describes where we are going. This transformed new business model is not 'our Daddy’s Oldsmobile.' We are not going back to Amway. We are moving forward to 'Amway Global,' a business model that will make the world sit up and take notice. Together we will transform this business, partner with the Corporation with even greater enthusiasm, and establish a template for decades to come!

Working together, the best is yet to come,"

Here's Huckabee, but first a word

Illinoisans For Mitt Romney:

"Quixtar's blend of Christianity, conservatism and consumerism could be helpful to Huckabee, a Baptist minister, as he seeks the backing of evangelicals in his bid to win the Iowa Republican caucuses Thursday night.

Quixtar was created in 1999 by the DeVos and Van Andel families, the founders of Amway, who have donated more than $3 million almost exclusively to federal candidates and causes dating back years. The DeVos family also funded a push for school choice in Beasley's home state of South Carolina.

DeVos family members also have been involved in funding and serving in the Council for National Policy, a private organization made up largely of wealthy conservatives. In February, Huckabee won the backing of a majority of the group over rival Mitt Romney, according to a report in U.S. News & World Report.

Doug DeVos, president of Quixtar and Amway's holding company, also is co-chairman of Gospel Communications Network, which describes itself as using the Internet to spread the Gospel. A columnist for its Gospelcom.net last week raised questions about aspects of Romney's Mormon faith."

Dig They Must - Diamond Dig Brings Cash for Easter Seals and Prizes for Quixtar Employees

Reuters:

"Dig They Must - Diamond Dig Brings Cash for Easter Seals and Prizes for Quixtar Employees on the Beach in Hollywood, FL

What: During the annual Quixtar convention, hundreds of Quixtar Independent Business Owners, each contributing $10 for Easter Seals, will furiously dig in the sand to find buried treasures or prize vouchers. Raising funds to support Easter Seals services for children and adults with autism and other disabilities, Quixtar employees will have two minutes to dig on the beach in Hollywood, Florida, near the Boardwalk."

Quixtar Refuses To Pay Distributors?

MLM - Network Marketing Blog:

"Are you serious? Quixtar now pays it's IBO's at their discretion instead of actual qualifications. What the hell? How can any Quixtar IBO feel comfortable with that deal?

Quixtar and it's loyal IBOs are busy spouting off about the $60 million in new bonuses that the company has promised but from the looks of it, they can yank those bonuses out from underneath you at any time."