Npros.com MLM and Home Based Business Newswire

MLMRankings.com Posts July 2008 Update

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 08:00:00 GMT

MLMRankings has posted their latest updates for Home Based Business and MLM Company Metrix.

Top Gainers for the beginning of summer include:

Tahitian Noni International 28.22% Gain Discovery Toys 25.93% Gain Jafra Cosmetics International 25.61% Gain Zija International 22.78% Gain BEAUTICONTROL 21.83% Gain Oxyfresh Worldwide 21.02% Gain Xango 20.60% Gain Shaperite Concepts 20.00% Gain ELYSEE COSMETICS 20.00% Gain Natural Air Products 20.00% Gain

About MLMRankings.com

MLM Rankings takes a monthly snapshot of internet MLM interest by compiling a count of internet MLM searches from various sources, and providing them on this site in a simple format. Want to compare two MLM companies? Use our comparison tool and see just what percentage of the public interest a given MLM opportunity captures.

Xocai in the Sydney Morning Herald

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Xocai and its founders, Jeannette and Martin Brooks, receive some harsh scrutiny in an article in the Sydney Morning Herald. The article discusses more than $336 million in claims from 25 individuals in part of a bankruptcy proceeding in Reno at the time Xocai was launching.

...THEIR company has reached through the internet into hundreds of Australian pockets with the promise of fortunes to be made from a "healthy chocolate". This chocolate, they claim, helps weight loss, lifts people's moods, lowers cholesterol, improves dental health and even makes insulin work better for diabetics.

But just three years ago, as they were launching their Xocai chocolate range through their network marketing company MXI Corp, Jeanette and Martin Brooks were facing more than $US36 million in claims from 25 individuals, companies and government agencies as part of bankruptcy proceedings in their home town of Reno. ...

Silpada Designs Convention Attracts over 4200

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Silpada Designs attracted over 4200 independent representatives to its convention on July 25th in Kansas City. The Kansas City Star posted a video of representatives at the convention.

Reliv International Profits Drop

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Reliv International reported Wednesday a second-quarter profit of $569,000, or 4 cents a share, compared to a profit of $823,000, or 5 cents a share, a year ago.

Its net sales for the second quarter were $24 million, compared to net sales of $26.3 million in the second quarter last year. The nutritional supplement company cited weakening U.S. sales.

Reliv said it plans to close its corporate office in Germany but continue to serve distributors in Germany and other European countries. All other European operations are now headquartered at Reliv's United Kingdom office.

Taste of Home Entertaining SOLD

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 08:00:00 GMT

The Reader's Digest Association Inc., said that it has sold the stock of Taste of Home Entertaining Inc. of Brookfield to a group of private investors led by Eric Schrier, former president and CEO of Reader's Digest.

Terms of the transaction, which will result in the company relinquishing its name, were not disclosed. Taste of Home is the popular food magazine brand acquired by Reader's Digest (NYSE: RDA) when it purchased Reiman Publications of Greendale in 2002.

Bill Shaw, Taste of Home's president and founder, is also an investor and will retain his operating role.

Taste of Home Entertaining will change its name by year end, Reader's Digest said July 25. Taste of Home Entertaining, launched in 2006, is a party plan business focused on entertaining products sold by independent consultants who host sales events in homes all across America.

Florida Terminates Green Mountain Energy Program

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Green Mountain Energy responded to the recent termination of the companies relationship with the Florida Power and Light company:

"We are disappointed the Commission voted today to end FPL's very successful Sunshine Energy renewable energy program. Green Mountain Energy Company helped FPL grow Sunshine Energy to one of the Top Ten utility green power programs in the U.S., out of more than 800 such programs*. "Sunshine Energy provided tens of thousands of FPL customers an affordable, easy way to voluntarily reduce their carbon footprint. The Sunshine Energy program has helped avoid more than 1 billion pounds of CO2 emissions since 2004. "The Sunshine Energy program has delivered on its promises to customers. Our management of the program has been stellar by industry standards. Green Mountain has fulfilled every customer purchase, kilowatt hour for kilowatt hour. In fact, since the program began in 2004, Green Mountain has served more than 1.15 billion kilowatt hours of green power to Sunshine Energy customers. Additionally, Green Mountain has supported the construction of 450 kilowatts of new solar electric power in Florida, including the largest solar electric array in the State, at Rothenbach Park in Sarasota. More than 100 percent of Sunshine Energy customer revenue has been put back into the program. "Sunshine Energy has been ranked among the 'Top Ten' utility green power programs in U.S. for four consecutive years, as ranked by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) of the U.S. Department of Energy. There are more than 800 utility green power programs nationwide. "In 2004, Sunshine Energy received a national Green Power Leadership Award for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy." Green Mountain, the nation's leading provider of cleaner energy and carbon offset solutions, was founded in 1997 "to change the way power is made." Today, the company is the longest serving green power marketer in the U.S. Green Mountain offers consumers and businesses the choice of cleaner electricity products from renewable sources such as wind and water and carbon offset products through its ( www.begreennow.com) division. Green Mountain customers have collectively helped avoid over 4.1 million tons of CO2 emissions. For more information, visit www.greenmountain.com.

Paul Markovich, senior vice president, Green Mountain Energy Company.

YTB Travel Considers Dropping Network Marketing Model

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:00:00 GMT

YTB Travel says that they are considering converting to a franchise model. The change is under consideration for as early as 2009, though the company says existing RTAs would be treated favorably under its forthcoming proposal.

Princess House Helping Relief Effort

Sun, 13 Jul 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Princess House received noteworthy commments in the Abiline Reflector-Chronicle in this article about their fundraising efforts for the Chapman Schools...

Residents who wish to help raise funds for the Chapman Schools will have an opportunity to do so while taking a chance to win over $1,000 in retired Princess House products on Friday night in Abilene.

Local Princess House consultant, Gloria Picking and area organizer, Lorie Weaver, along with several team members will be hosting a casino and silent auction at the St. Andrews Parish Hall at 6:30 today.

Metabolife in Newsweek

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:00:00 GMT

So you're feeling a little thick around the middle and you've heard enough about abstinence and exercise. Wouldn't it be nice if you could pop a pill, stretch out in the BarcaLounger and incinerate calories like a long-distance runner? That's the idea behind a hot herbal supplement called Metabolife 356. Americans are downing it like candy, and some are claiming remarkable results. "Metabolife has been absolutely amazing for me," says 43-year-old Anna Hamersly of Woodbridge, Ill. Hamersly says she weighed about 270 pounds when she started using the product last year. She's now down to 200--and expecting to drop an additional 20 pounds by New Year's. "I feel like a new person," she says.

Launched four years ago by a former San Diego cop with no formal medical training, Metabolife is now one of America's best-selling herbal products. Enthusiasts peddle it from living rooms and kiosks, as well as retail shops. And Metabolife International, the privately held company that produces the stuff, says its sales will approach $1 billion this year--a figure that places Metabolife in the same league as such blockbuster pharmaceuticals as Prozac and Viagra. The catch is that the stimulants it contains can be dangerous: the Food and Drug Administration has warned that products like Metabolife can cause "cardiac arrhythmia and death." Several states have moved to ban or restrict their use, and a few users have filed lawsuits claiming injury. Yet consumers continue to down an estimated 225,000 pills every hour.

FTC Settles with BurnLounge

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:00:00 GMT

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced that one of the operators of BurnLounge, a digital music distribution service the agency had determined was actually a pyramid scheme, has settled charges and agreed to give up $20,000 in ill-gotten gains.

The FTC charged BurnLounge in June 2007 with operating a pyramid scheme, where consumers were recruited to operate their own online digital music stores -- but instead of selling music, money was made mainly through signing up new store operators at $29.95 to $429.95 per year.

A federal court ordered BurnLounge to halt its network marketing scheme, and froze the defendants' assets.

Mannatech Supplements to Bear NSF Certification

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Mannatech, Incorporated (NASDAQ - MTEX), a leading developer and provider of dietary supplements and skin care solutions, today announced the quality and purity of Mannatech�s Ambrotose and Advanced Ambrotose glyconutritional supplements have been certified through an independent, accredited laboratory.

NSF International�an independent, not-for-profit organization�ensures a product�s label reflects the contents of the supplement, that all ingredients are openly disclosed on the label and that the product�s purity is acceptable. Additionally, NSF assesses each manufacturing site for Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) compliance and only when the site meets these rigorous audits will it issue the NSF certificate for the product.

Herbalife Sued

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:00:00 GMT

The Law Offices of Christopher Grell have filed a lawsuit against Herbalife Ltd. NYSE: HLF in the Superior Court of the State of California (case BC392373, dept. 48) today on behalf of a 29-year-old woman who acquired acute liver problems after taking Herbalife products.

The lawsuit, which also names several companies that manufacture Herbalife products and ingredients, alleges that Phillis Chen, a resident of the State of California, suffered acute liver problems that required hospitalization as a result of using a combination of Herbalife products. Ms. Chen is suing Herbalife for Breach of Express Warranty, Breach of Implied Warranty, Strict Liability, Negligence and Fraud.

Herbalife Distributor Sues UpLine

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:00:00 GMT

In an unprecedented legal action, Dietary Supplement Safety Committee Co-Founder Christopher Grell, has expanded the scope of a recently filed law suit against Herbalife Ltd. (NYSE: HLF | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating) in which the company has been accused of fraud and product negligence by adding a new category of defendants; specifically the plaintiff's direct 'up-line distributor,' Ms. Yucong Chen.

The plaintiff was recruited into the Herbalife multi level marketing business opportunity and subsequently became the 'down-line of Ms. Chen. The newly named defendant also earned commissions on products purchased by the plaintiff through Herbalife.

Denise Richards Hosts Passion Party on Reality TV

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Actress and former model, Denise Richards, hosted her first "Passion Party" with her sister and friends on the reality show. Pat Davis, president of Passion Parties and author of the Random House best-selling book, "The Passion Parties Guide to Great Sex," conducted the party while showcasing the company's signature body products and passion essentials.

"Who would have thought this is what I needed...to get me out of my rut?" Denise Richards asked.

"A Passion Party is just what every woman needs to have fun with her girlfriends and discover her inner Passion Diva. Denise was very receptive to the party, toys and education. A lot of times, single mothers tend to get bogged down with the daily routine of being a mother, forgetting about themselves and their own needs. Denise is just like every other woman with children," said Pat Davis. "She's just trying to be the best mother, daughter and woman she can be."

Mary Kay Looking to Make Green Dollars

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Direct seller Mary Kay is looking to make green dollars with its new refillable compact it estimates will help eliminate 60,000 tons of carbon emissions.

Cosmetics manufacturers are considering different options to help reduce the environmental damage from packaging from biodegradable materials to reusable containers.

Lia Sophia on StyleHive

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Casual Date A neutral eco dress looks great with a jean jacket, which has made a major comeback this spring in lighter 80s washes. Mine�s actually from Gap Kids! Add some light metallic like my champagne Botkier and Michael Kors wedges and you and your pup are ready for a stylish playdate. (Want your pooch to go green too? Check out this ridiculously cute heather fleece hoodie!).

Night on the Town Dress up a natural color palette with lotsa, lotsa bling. My favorite line of costume jewelry is Lia Sophia because each piece is a statement in itself. When you start piling it on, nobody will notice that your dress is made out of hemp or banana leaves. Top it off with a metallic bag and shoes like my Laura Merkin and Manolo Blahniks and you�ll shine your way through any velvet rope.

Tahitian Noni in the Nassau Guardian

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Residents and workers in the south-west have been saved in more ways than one, by the team that is operating The Noni Way Cafe, Coral Harbour Blvd., Coral Harbour.

The distributors of Tahitian Noni have brought a healthier style of fine dining to that end of the island, which is expected to have residents traveling from as far east to dine at the restaurant. The team of Tahitian Noni distributors operating it pride themselves on preparing foods with health-conscious and health-oriented people in mind.

Xocai Endorsed by Wally Joyner

Tue, 17 Jun 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Salt Lake City, Utah � Xocai chocolate is packed with health and wellness benefits, and provides a business opportunity for those who would like to become distributors, according to professional baseball star Wally Joyner.

Joyner and his team of independent distributors offer detailed information about Xocai chocolate, as well as the business opportunity at http://thatprguy.xpowerresults.com/?SOURCE=D

�If you would have told me 10 years ago that I would be promoting healthy chocolate, I would have said you were crazy,� said Joyner in a 3-minute endorsement video. Now he says he is convinced that Xocai dark chocolate is not only healthy, but it offers an opportunity to make extra income or even a full-time income.

Mannatech Settles Shareholder Lawsuits

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Mannatech Inc., the Coppell nutritional supplement maker being sued by the Texas attorney general, agreed Friday to pay $850,000 to settle five shareholder lawsuits. The company did not admit wrongdoing.

An attorney for the plaintiffs did not respond to an interview request Friday.

Between October 2005 and July 2007, four Mannatech shareholders filed five lawsuits accusing top executives of damaging the company through "gross mismanagement, waste of corporate assets" and not monitoring the Web sites of sales staff.

Plaintiffs Lawyer Tests Herbalife Products for Lead

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Attorney Christopher Grell ordered lab tests on behalf of his client on three popular Herbalife (NYSE: HLF) daily regiment vitamin products that were initially tested by the Fraud Discovery Institute.

On May 19th the Fraud Discovery Institute released the findings on 6 of Herbalife�s most popular products which showed lead levels that exceeded the amount of lead allowed under Proposition 65 without a warning label.

Herbalife first responded by dismissing Prop 65 as irrelevant but then changed that position this past Sunday, June 8th, 2008 when they implied that 2 independent labs had vindicated their products and confirmed that they were not in danger of violating Prop 65. However, their press release failed to include the supporting lab results from either lab that allegedly vindicated the company.

Pharmanex on WPTV

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:00:00 GMT

One by one, people sat down to get their hands scanned at a health luncheon on Friday in Manalapan. The BioPhotonic Scanner is supposed to read the level of antioxidants in your skin.

Dr. Mark Bartlett's company, Pharmanex, supplies the scanners. He says he was scanned a while back and got a low score. So he upped his intake of fruits and veggies. "I've noticed just feeling better day to day, but what's really striking is what other people have noticed. I meet people all the time and the people that I know say what have you done to your skin what moisturizer are you using? I said I haven't changed anything. At first I didn't belive them but it happens so often now that I believe them, it can change your physical appearance".

Dr. Bartlett's children also took the test. "They love pizza and fast foods, they were scanned and it was at a sports shop and they came home and said, dad our score wasn't great. What do I need to do? Which is amazing because we started having the talk about fruits and vegetables".

MLMRankings Posts May Updates

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 08:00:00 GMT

MLMRankings.com has posted their May updates. Top companies by percentage interest include:

AVON, INC. 13.46% Tupperware 9.81% Kirby 4.66% Herbalife International 4.62% Longaberger 4.13% Mary Kay Cosmetics 3.80% AMWAY 3.12% PartyLite Gifts, Inc 2.61% Pampered Chef 2.57% Arbonne International 2.50%

Top Gainers over the last sampling period: Mia Bella Scent Sations 137.96% Gain Nutrimetics 118.06% Gain Success University 110.95% Gain YTBTravel 109.75% Gain YourTravelBiz.com 109.75% Gain Amazon Herb Company 107.91% Gain NEXX 100.14% Gain Latasia Jewelry 100.00% Gain Xocai 93.72% Gain AMWAY 90.34% Gain

Reps Report Weekenders Closed

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Reps have reported Weekenders has closed their doors after filing for bankruptcy. An email was forwarded to the home party company's representatives:

This email was reportedly sent to reps:

From: liak@weekenders.com

Sent: Monday, June 09, 2008 1:18 PM

Subject: [Bulk] Urgent message from Lia to pass on to your unit

Dear Managers and Coordinators,

It is with much sadness that I tell you effective immediately, Weekenders Global has declared bankruptcy. Our owners have ceased all operations in all countries effective immediately. We all know that our company has been struggling for the past few years. Unfortunately, the end has come, faster than anyone could have predicted and I still find it hard to believe, as I was informed at 11:30 this morning. This is not the way I wanted to tell you, unfortunately, due to circumstances beyond my control, I did not find out in time to set up a call or to call you directly as I would have wished, please understand that..

We are doing everything possible to fill all orders and backorders for orders received up to and including noon today Monday, June 9.

I want each and every one of you to know how much the past 23 years have meant to me, how much YOU have meant to me. You have helped me grow both personally and professionally and in so many ways. The opportunity that Weekenders provided has been the best thing that ever happened to me and to you too! You are a dynamic, knowledgeable, classy, fun and utterly fantastic group of women. I am so thankful to have known you, worked with you, cried with you and most of all laughed with you.

I am so proud of you, what you have accomplished and the amazing skills that each and every one of you possess. Take pride in who you are, always remember how proud and privileged I am to have been your friend, your colleague, your coach and your President. I hope you remember all the fun we had together and I am sure our paths will cross again.

Please know, I am ok and I want you to be to. I love you.

Lia "

From: liak@weekenders.com

Mannatech Names New CEO

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Jun. 6--Mannatech Inc., the Coppell nutritional supplement manufacturer being sued by the Texas attorney general for allegedly exaggerating the benefits of its products, said Thursday it has hired a new chief executive.

Wayne L. Badovinus, 64, who was CEO of Eddie Bauer Holdings Inc. in the late 1980s and early 1990s, will join Mannatech June 16.

Mr. Badovinus has 43 years of experience with retail and catalog companies, including as a vice president at Nordstrom. Most recently, he was senior operating partner for JH Partners, a San Francisco private equity firm.

Pre-Paid Legal Completes 10 Mil Financing

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. (NYSE: PPD) announced that we have received additional financing from Bank of Oklahoma for $10 million on an unsecured basis repayable in 12 equal monthly payments beginning June 30, 2008, together with interest at LIBOR plus 165 basis points. The $10 million has been funded and is immediately available to the Company and is in addition to existing debt of approximately $65 million.

We will use proceeds from the new financing to fund additional treasury stock purchases as we currently have Board authorization to purchase approximately 798,000 additional treasury shares. Since April 1999, the Company has purchased 13.2 million shares, totaling $385.3 million, or an average cost per share of $29.18 per share. As a result of this aggressive treasury stock purchase program, the Company has reduced shares outstanding by approximately 50% during this time.

Herbalife Gives to Instanbul Charity

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Children from Istanbul's AIP, Urgent Need Project Foundation (UNPF), ran side by side with Herbalife independent distributors and employees in a fun run to celebrate the opening of a Casa Herbalife program at the center. The grant will allow UNPF to help provide healthy meals and nutritional education to hundreds of children and their families.

UNPF has been providing assistance to at-risk children since 1995. The charity provides many services, including tutoring, educational scholarships, medical care and hot, healthy meals. In addition, UNPF also assists families of the children they serve in navigating government programs for much-needed financial assistance.

Stampin Up in the Biloxi Sun Herald

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 08:00:00 GMT

SALT LAKE CITY and ST. PAUL, Minn., June 5 --Scotch 3M's Stationery Products Division, major manufacturer of adhesives and computer accessories, and Stampin' Up!, a leading manufacturer of decorative rubber stamps and crafting supplies, have formed a joint marketing agreement. Both companies anticipate the agreement will produce substantial increased reach to crafters in the billion-dollar US craft market and beyond.

"The synergy created by this program will be outstanding," says Stampin' Up! CEO Shelli Gardner. "We are very excited about the cross-promotional opportunities with a great company like 3M."

Nu Skin Expands in Key Asian Markets

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 08:00:00 GMT

US specialist skin care player NuSkin has announced its expansion into the key Asian markets with the launch of new skin care products in the region.

The expansion of its portfolio in Asia is also being accompanied by the introduction of new business initiatives, a global brand positioning and a new corporate identity.

The company says it recently had 20,000 independent distributors from throughout Asia that attended sell-out conventions in Tokyo and Hong Kong.

Nu Skin Unveils New Corporate Logo

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Nu Skin Enterprises of Provo unveiled its new logo on the side of its corporate office building in Provo as part of its global branding campaign, "The Difference. Demonstrated," launched on Wednesday. Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. presided at the event.

As part of Nu Skin's Fifth Annual Force For Good project, hundreds of its employees and their families also helped assemble 10,000 school supplies kits to be donated to 14 elementary schools in the Alpine, Provo, Jordan and Nebo school districts and also to children at Nu Hope Schools in China and the Pathway Orphanage in India. The company also collected nearly 9,000 books donated by its employees and local businesses including Costco, Mandalay Industries, Friends of the Provo Library, Scholastic Books and Worldwide Books to be included in the school kits.

XanGo Walks with Childrens Wish

Mon, 09 Jun 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Parade Ambassador and Wish Child, Carter, was joined by Glen Oliver, Country Manager for XanGo Juice who was in town to announce XanGo's title sponsorship of The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada's national Wishmaker Parade.

"This Parade brings thousands of people together in communities across Canada - not just for the fun and excitement of the day, but to help grant wishes to some extremely special children who live in many of these same communities," says Glen Oliver, Canadian Country Manager for XanGo Juice, the creator of a premium mangosteen beverage. "XanGo is very proud to be the title sponsor of the Wishmaker Parade, and looks forward to the contribution that our many Canadian distributors will make to help wishes come true!"

Fittingly announced in Halifax, the birthplace of the Wishmaker Parade more than 20 years ago, the event will take place in more than 100 communities across Canada over the October 18 and 19, 2008 weekend. The XanGo Wishmaker Parade has become a premier national fundraising event for The Children's Wish Foundation of Canada, raising $1.3 million in 2007.