In a letter to the New York Times, in response to a column by Joe Nocera titled The Pyramid Scheme Problem, US Direct Selling Association president Joseph Mariano has written this explanation:
To understand what constitutes a pyramid scheme, Joe Nocera (column, Sept. 15) points to a recent United States Court of Appeals decision that correctly concludes that a scheme exists when recruitment of sales people is at the heart of a company’s business. But the column doesn’t mention that there are additional standards offering useful guidance.
In 2004, the Council of State Governments suggested that every state adopt its model legislation that defines and prosecutes against schemes. The model, or similar legislation, was enacted by 18 states and is notable for its specificity.
We have helped prosecute pyramid schemes over many years and work
Tag Archive for Dsa
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Under 25 Group Increases By 16% In UK Direct Selling
by Ramya Chandrasekaran • • 0 Comments
The number of under 25 year olds working as direct sellers has increased by 16% since 2013, according to figures released by the Direct Selling Association (DSA) of UK.
The report – which surveyed the DSA’s member companies – found that the age group now makes up 22% of the industry, equating to 88,000 of the 400,000 direct sellers in Britain.
It was also revealed that there has been a 30% increase in the proportion of individuals whose income is generated solely by direct selling, with 104,000 counting it as their only job.
With recent data from The Social Entrepreneurs Foundation claiming that 47% of young people would like to start their own business, the DSA’s figures are thought to reflect the growing popularity of entrepreneurship in an increasingly competitive jobs market.
Direct selling includes products
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Medifast President Gets Appointed As Chair Of Direct Selling Association (DSA)
by Tina Williams • • 0 Comments
Medifast, Inc. (NYSE: MED), a leading United States manufacturer and provider of clinically proven weight-loss and healthy living products and programs, announced that Mona Ameli, President of its Take Shape For Life division, was appointed as the Chair of the Direct Selling Association (DSA) Diversity and Empowerment Council.
The Diversity and Empowerment Council strives to inform and support member companies on ways to achieve greater business success through effectively reaching and serving more diverse customer populations and partnering closely with DSA leadership to develop and implement strategies that expand access to a range of direct-selling opportunities for a diverse populace.
“Mona has been a dynamic member of the Council since its inception and her personal and on-the-ground experience will be instrumental in advancing the DSA’s diversity objectives,” said Meg Sheetz, CEO of Take Shape For Life.
“Mona is well recognized
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The Direct Selling Association – No Backbone When You Are Under Sieg
by Ted Nuyten • • 0 Comments
According to the Direct Selling Organisation (DSA) website: “DSA’s services to members are designed to meet the needs of one person critical to the industry’s growth and future success — you — the direct selling executive.
In addition, DSA’s portfolio of services includes offerings to meet the needs of your company, your staff specialists and your people in the field.”
Earlier Avon cancelled their DSA membership and more companies are reviewing their membership.
If there is one case in which the DSA could have been of added value then it is in the Vemma – FTC Case. Earlier DSA President Joe Mariano said:
“Receiving a DSA ETHOS Award is a testament to the commitment a company (Vemma) has made to being a model for the highest standards in business practices and ethics,”
However last week the
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Six Questions To Ask Before Joining Direct Selling
by Ramya Chandrasekaran • • 0 Comments
American publisher US News & World Report known for its authoritative ranking reports has published an article to help people who are interested in the direct selling industry.
From wine to workouts, candles to cutlery, you’ve probably had a friend or co-worker (or perhaps been the friend or co-worker) invite you to an in-home party or post about their products on social media. Direct selling is on the rise, so that’s no coincidence. Over 18 million Americans were involved in direct selling and estimated retail sales reached $34.5 billion last year (an increase of 5.5 percent), according to the Direct Selling Association’s 2015 Growth & Outlook Report.
Joseph Mariano, president of the Direct Selling Association, a trade association for firms in this space, attributes this growth to several factors, including “the incorporation of social
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DSA’s Joe Mariano: Lessons Learned From the Old, New Economy
by Ramya Chandrasekaran • • 0 Comments
President of the US Direct Selling Association (DSA) Joseph Mariano writes in the Morning Consult about the role of innovation and technology in the rise of the sharing economy and draws a parallel with the thriving Direct Selling industry in America.
The recent debate swirling around the so-called “gig” economy has policymakers at all levels paying closer attention to – and even weighing in on – the status of independent workers and how they’re faring in today’s economy. And while many consider this a relatively nascent issue that has arisen alongside the advent of new ride- or real estate-sharing services, the fact is, independent workers have been an important part of our economy for years. In reality, what’s changed more recently is not the sudden emergence of this workforce, but rather the
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Take Shape For Life in DSA Top 20 List
by Ramya Chandrasekaran • • 0 Comments
Medifast, Inc. a leading United States manufacturer and provider of clinically proven weight-loss and healthy living products and programs, announced today the company’s direct selling division, Take Shape For Life, was recognized as one of the 20 largest members of the Direct Selling Association (DSA), a national trade association of leading firms that manufacture and distribute goods and services sold directly to consumers.
The recognition, which was based on 2014 U.S. net sales, was announced at the 2015 DSA Annual Meeting in San Antonio, Texas.
This news follows an announcement the Company made in April after it was named to Direct Selling News’ 2015 Global 100 and 2015 North American 50 lists, accolades that were both based on revenue generation.
“Take Shape For Life, since day one, has been dedicated to providing our network of Health Coaches and Clients with products,
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All’Asta Recognized Rising Star By DSA, 352% Sales Increase
by Ramya Chandrasekaran • • 0 Comments
The Rising Star award recognizes up-and-coming direct selling companies that are dedicated to achieving a high standard of excellence in business opportunities and performance.
All’Asta was recognized for this achievement during the annual DSA Awards Gala in San Antonio, Texas on June 2, 2015.
“The Rising Star recipient must show a well rounded business strategy, a consistent pattern of growth, excellent prospects for continued success, a strong commitment to the DSA Code of Ethics, and an equally strong support of charitable giving as well as humanitarian and environmental efforts and initiatives,” said DSA President Joseph Mariano upon presenting this award to All’asta.
Kerry Shea Penland, Founder and CEO of All’asta, said this upon accepting the award for this achievement:
“We are proud of our business and unique party that allows our guests, our hosts
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DSA Announces ETHOS Awards
by Ramya Chandrasekaran • • 0 Comments
The American Direct Selling Association capped its annual meeting in San Antonio with this year’s ETHOS Awards at a Gala on Tuesday evening. The event revealed the winners of this year’s ETHOS Awards in 7 categories, as well as a new inductee into the DSA Hall of Fame.
Each year, the ETHOS Awards recognize a handful of DSA member companies for implementing programs that empower their sales force and bring greater awareness and understanding of direct selling to the general public. A panel of industry leaders and outside experts judges the entries with a focus on excellence, creativity and innovation.
Last month the DSA announced the ETHOS sub-category winners across seven categories. From those finalists, a panel of industry leaders and outside experts narrowed the selections on the criteria of excellence, creativity and innovation.
Recipients of this
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DSA Strengthens Regulatory Frameworks
by Ramya Chandrasekaran • • 0 Comments
Direct Selling Association’s (DSA) Board of Directors today approved a series of recommendations from its Ethics & Self-Regulation Committee that improve upon the Association’s more than 40-year commitment to the highest ethical business standards.
The recommendations further strengthen DSA’s Code of Ethics, a self-regulatory instrument enforced by an independent administrator that challenges direct sellers to make consumer protection and a positive purchasing experience their first priority.
“Today, we send a powerful message to the marketplace that our customers will always be the most important aspect of our business,” said Joseph N. Mariano, DSA’s President. “Trust – in our companies and their teams of independent sales consultants – is crucial. We’ll never forget that and continually strive to earn it as a result of our actions throughout the purchasing process.”
The approved recommendations include new requirements for