Nate Calima's MLM Newsblog | NateCalima.info | MLM review, opinion, rumor, speculation...

MLM Industry News: ACN, Vemma, drinkACT, Nutrazon, Oriflame, Revolucion, Pre-Paid Legal, AVON/Silpada

2010-09-11T00:09:00.000-07:00

ACN - announces MVNO at international convention. This means that they will be able to have branded phones and control billing just like Lightyear Wireless first did with Verizon and Sprint. They are also reentering the energy market - lets hope this time around it goes well.

Vemma - Opens in Canada, possibility of rolling New Vision (BK's original company) into Vemma.

drinkACT - Revenue up 25%

Nutrazon - Sources report company may be closing doors due to financial constraints

Oriflame - Oriflame under attack in Iran. source: Rod Cook's MLM Watchdog

Revolucion - Derek Broes (Formally of eFusjon) resigns from company he helped to co-found. Possible merger with another company.

Pre-Paid Legal changes compensation plan once again, adds bonuses and makes it harder to hit Executive Director (in order to reward leaders and create more breakage).

Avon aquires Silpada - Source: Direct Selling News

AMWAY sues bHIP Global

2010-09-09T14:42:00.000-07:00

http://www.mlmwatchdog.com/mlm_nhtc_bhip_lexxus.html

AMWAY said if the court does not issue the temporary restraining orders, Amway, the Plantiff will suffer irreparable injury and be harmed because their Independent Business Owners leaving for Bhip have “trade Secrets” that will harm Amway. BHIP, the defendants, knowingly continue to wrongfully interfere with platiffs contractural rights with Amway IBO’s (distributors)...

Anthony Anderson wins verdict against AmeriPlan (MLM For discount medical plans)

2010-09-08T17:23:00.000-07:00

http://sanfrancisco.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/othercities/houston/stories/2010/09/06/story3.html?b=1283745600^3890211&i=insurance&s=industry

A Dallas County jury has awarded a $5.5 million verdict in a contract dispute to a Houston man who was a former independent sales agent for AmeriPlan USA.

The plaintiff’s Houston attorney, meanwhile, is pursuing two similar cases and says AmeriPlan’s promotional materials pose a challenge for the Plano-based company.

Anthony Anderson worked nine years as a sales contractor for AmeriPlan in the Humble area until the company terminated his contract Nov. 1, 2005. It ceased paying him sales commissions at the end of that month, according to court records.

Anderson argued in court that his contract as a regional sales director entitled him to a vested, lifetime contract for his work signing up health care providers and other sales representatives.

“That was their candy stick, and their drawing card that set AmeriPlan apart from any other network marketing company I’ve ever seen,” Anderson says...

RIP Darrel Utterbach - Royal Black Diamond - Monavie

2010-09-01T16:00:00.000-07:00

Darrell Utterbach's Facebook

A damn shame...Another great network marketer lost...

God Bless

BREAKING NEWS: EFUSJON DEAD

2010-08-31T16:59:00.001-07:00

http://app.bm23.com/public/?q=preview_message&fn=Link&id=fs07nfx7oposfw7&t=6

Dear eFusjon Distributors:

It is with great sadness that we announce today that we must cease the direct sales multi-level marketing business of eFusjon, Inc. as of September 1, 2010.

The independent contractor distributor agreements will terminate as of this date. See Distributor Agreement, Section 7 (“The Agreement shall continue in effect between the parties hereto until either party terminates the Agreement…”). Qualified distributors will receive their last compensation check for the month of August, less offsets against any amounts that are owed to the Company, on September 10th. Any commissions due will be available in your “Hyperwallet” account until October 31, 2010, after which date you will need to contact the corporate office (to access your “Hyperwallet” account please go to www.efusjonpay.com, or contact customer service for assistance). The Company will send refunds of the $30 membership fee to those distributors who became members in August 2010....

Donna Valdes resigns as (Frontline) Distributor of LiveSmart360

2010-08-30T19:19:00.000-07:00

Donna Valdes resigns as (Frontline) Distributor of LiveSmart360

It was a somber tone, today at 7:00 came onto the conference call and gave the announcement. As of today on August 30th, 2010 Donna Valdes resigns. After a strong launch on May 15 this was a big surprise to everyone. Me and Donna talked about this a day before the conference call and I completely understood why she did it (I'll let you speculate on comments what it was, but i'm sure a LiveSmart360 Rep will chime in). I personally have been a BIG fan of Donna Valdes ever since I first met her while she was in Waiora. Donna has always treated her distributors as a family and whatever decision she makes on where to go will not only be in her own best interest, but the best interest of her organization as well. Have faith and know that Donna is truly a class act and the type of leader that you'd want to follow.

-Nate Calima

Quirky MLM Finds (August 2002): Pilipino Abu Sayaaf terrorists & Avon Reps

2010-08-30T14:20:00.000-07:00

"Now my hair is silky smooth thanks to Avon, and now my shotgun shells smell like cookies"

The Telegraph

By Alex Spillius, South East Asia Correspondent
Published: 12:01AM BST 22 Aug 2002

Three weeks after an American military mission claimed to have disabled the notorious Abu Sayyaf guerrilla group in the southern Philippines, the rebels kidnapped eight Avon cosmetics sales staff, it was reported yesterday.

A single gunman abducted the five women and three men in a rural area of the island of Jolo on Tuesday afternoon, according to their driver.

Police found boxes of Avon cosmetics in their vehicle. The American beauty products firm has thousands of salespeople in the Philippines, where skin-whitening lotions are particularly popular. The sales team were working their way through jungle villages of shabby concrete and bamboo houses.

The army responded by shelling Abu Sayyaf positions and launching patrols looking for the gang.

The kidnappings were the first since America sent 1,200 military personnel to support a Philippine army campaign to wipe out the al Qa'eda-linked Muslim militants seven months ago.

It was the first expansion of the US war on terrorism outside Afghanistan
.

Nate Calima: And you thought cold calling was scary.

SHOCKING NEWS: First rumors of eFusjon demise, now add 2 more to the list?!

2010-08-28T21:19:00.000-07:00

BREAKING NEWS

What two MLM companies WILL have rough waters ahead?

by Nate Calima

Company One: Today, I got confirmation of a resignation which may BLOW people away, in fact, this resignation may be so significant that it may DEVASTATE the company, perhaps into an early death. After a very successful pre-launch and huge checks being paid out, i've got confirmation that there were things behind the scenes that occurred that destroys the integrity of the company and some of the executive team. The person resigning is a person of INTEGRITY and would only do this if they thought that the company was spiraling in the wrong direction. More updates as the drama unfolds!

Company Two: I cannot say much other than this move may tear the company into two, perhaps halving volume . This is a fairly well known and established company and I cannot say more since everything in process. But with this drama comes new beginning.... More to come as I am allowed to say more

Is efusjon near DEATH?

2010-08-26T16:12:00.000-07:00

The vultures are swirling efusjon...

Commentary/Opinion:

Nate Calima: I've been hearing the rumors as well, after Ty Tribble broke the news out on his mlm blog, the speculation has continued to mount. After all the hype can eFusjon really be going out of business? Some sources say that eFusjon will be eliminating the network marketing portion which would be an absolutely idiotic idea since it's proven time and time again to accelerate the death of a company (Remember Bazi?). If they think they can survive without it's distributor force then think again. As the old MLM adage goes, "Volume does not go away, it simple goes to another company". Perhaps maybe they grew too fast and their infrastructure could not handle it. Either way, it's another black mark for the network marketing industry and you can hear the vultures swirling.

XANGO superjuice BANNED in Germany?

2010-08-26T04:52:00.000-07:00

BusinessForHome.org

Lack of the required novel food authorisation.

(This is how Tahitian Noni is bringing the news to their users;)

http://blog.noniusers.com/?p=395

As XanGo produced their product using the fruit rind, an ingredient so far lacking any significant consumption in the markets of the European Union, it would be necessary to provide the European Commission with comprehensive scientific studies regarding the safety of the product.

These studies would then have to be reviewed by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). It is only upon receipt of the official approval as a Novel Food that the distribution of XanGo® Juice would be legal. As XanGo lacks the authorisation required for Novel Foods, the distribution of the product has now been (retroactively) prohibited through a final judgement by the Munich Regional Appeal Court (Oberlandesgericht München).

(Source: ZLR-Food Law Journal- booklet 4/210, p. 474 – 493.) According to our sources, XanGo even referred this legal dispute to the German Federal High Court of Justice for a decision. However, XanGo withdrew the request after the oral proceedings – presumably in order to avoid another defeat. As to the consequences of this decision with regards to the distribution of this company within Europe, one may only speculate. What is certain, however, is that the German market will remain inaccessible for XanGo Juice for years to come.

------

Nate's Commentary: Xango's original juice although not compliant in Germany, has been replaced by Xango Reserva.

Source: http://www.xango.de/

Direct Selling Association Philippines wants to END PYRAMID SCHEMES

2010-08-25T17:55:00.000-07:00

The P25-billion direct selling industry is crafting a bill that would regulate and rid the industry of pyramiding scams masquerading aslegitimate direct selling businesses.

The Direct Selling Association of the Philippines (DSAP) headed byAdor Bonquin, who is also country manager of Amway Philippines, is taking the lead in the crafting the legislation.

Bonquin said they are just awaiting for the formation of the Housetrade and industry committee although the Senate counterpart committee is already formed under the chairmanship of Senator Manny Villar.

"It came to a point to look that we have to look at the contribution of the industry to population in general, but in the absence of a legislation there is no government agency that is protecting the consumers against pyramiding scams," Bonquin said.

The direct selling industry, which is growing at a conservative 14percent annually in terms of sales revenues to hit P25 billion and employing 2.5 million people, has only the Consumer Act of the Philippines to run to...

MONAVIE COMPENSATION PLAN OK

2010-08-25T17:33:00.000-07:00

MONAVIE GERMANY

We are committed to the Germany market and are excited about the tremendous growth this market has experienced since launching full business operations in May 2010.

This past week, you may have heard rumours and allegations that parts of the MonaVie compensation plan are unlawful and that a temporary injunction has been obtained in a Frankfurt court against two MonaVie distributors. MonaVie has not been officially notified of any court proceedings nor have any MonaVie distributors notified MonaVie corporate of any legal proceedings. MonaVie has every reason to believe that such salacious rumours or ungrounded injunctions are retaliation by an unscrupulous competing firm who we believe has infringed upon protected assets of MonaVie and whom MonaVie has sued in order to protect its rights and the business opportunities of its valued distributors...

Nate's Opinion: WOW Great, fast response from Monavie Corporate!

MonaVie Compensation Plan BANNED in Germany?

2010-08-25T17:17:00.000-07:00

MLM Recht (Germany)

By its decision of 24.08.2010 (Az: 3-12 O 98/10) the district court of Frankfurt am Main elemtare has forbidden parts of the compensation plan MonaVie LLC. Accordingly, contrary parts of the plan to the prohibition of canvassing progressive gem. § 16 para 2 UWG. This was done by our firm for our client acted in accordance with request made in full.

Already dated 13.08.2010 (AZ: 3-11 O 94/10) adopted the Regional Court of Frankfurt am Main, a decision against two identical MonaVie distributor. It is therefore clear that not only the organizing company in the provision may be defined agent , but each distributor, the new sales recruits or for advertising does.

It is worth noting in this connection that it is justified to § 16 para 2 UWG not just a competition rule that injunctive relief and damages claims, but is also a penal provision, sanction to the infringements by imprisonment up to two years.

Opinion: The article states that PARTS of the compensation plan are banned in Germany, more to come.

Red Bull & Coke: Energy from COCAINE?!

2010-08-25T17:11:00.000-07:00

Time Magazine

About a year ago, the makers of Red Bull, the famous caffeine-loaded energy drink, decided to come out with a soda, unsurprisingly named Red Bull Cola. The shared name implied the same big kick. But could the cola's boost — supposedly "100% natural" — come from something else? Officials in Germany worry that they've found the answer — cocaine. And now they have prohibited the soda's sale in six states across the country and may recommend a nation-wide ban.
Want an incredible alternative to sugar filled, unhealthy energy drinks? Try A.C.T. Energy

ENERGY DRINK WARNING

2010-08-25T17:07:00.000-07:00

Salt Lake City ABC 4 News

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) Most parents wouldn’t want their children or teens drinking several cups of coffee a day, much less in one sitting, but energy drinks that are now popular with young Utahns often contain several times the caffeine found in a standard cup of Joe.

The Utah Poison Control Center, University of Utah Health Care and Primary Children’s Medical Center teamed up today to warn parents about the sometimes serious consequences of drinking energy drinks. Doctors say they are marketed to young people with names like Red Bull, Rock Star, Full Throttle, Amp and Monster. They say because they are sweet and taste good kids are drinking several in succession and that is causing caffeine overdose....

Want a healthier energy drink? Buy A.C.T. Energy Drink here