PEOPLE ON THE MOVE – March
Fredrik Lundqvist, Vorwerk
Vorwerk LLC has appointed Fredrik Lundqvist as CEO. Lundqvist will lead the company’s presence and growth of the Thermomix brand in the U.S. and Canada. Previously, Lundqvist was country manager for Vorwerk International in China. He has nearly 20 years’ experience with Vorwerk, working in Switzerland and Singapore, among others.
Vallen Blackburn, Nature’s Sunshine
Nature’s Sunshine has promoted Vallen Blackburn to vice president and general manager of Latin America. Blackburn joined Nature’s Sunshine in 2016 to help build its business and intelligence strategies, using his prior financial knowledge. He will now leverage that experience in Latin America.
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE – August
Camelle Kent, Thirty-One
Thirty-One Gifts has named Camelle Kent as CEO. Kent assumes the role from Elizabeth Thibaudeau, who joined Thirty-One as acting CEO last July. Thibaudeau will remain a board member. Kent’s career spans over 25 years, and she has grown global brands including Gillette, Timberland, and Avon. Most recently, she was CEO at WellPet.
Dave Nash, 4Life
Dave Nash has been promoted to senior vice president of global markets at 4Life Research. Previously vice president of Greater China, Nash was hired by 4Life in 2018. He has spent considerable time in Asia on behalf of the company and will now continue his work in Asia while broadening his focus to include global sales and operations.
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE – June
Mark Schissel, Herbalife
Herbalife Nutrition Ltd. has appointed Mark Schissel as chief operating officer. Schissel will oversee worldwide operations for the company as well as global business services, finance, IT and infrastructure, and cyber and global security. Most recently, he served as executive vice president of worldwide operations.
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE – May
Ryan Reigle, Regal Ware
Ryan Reigle has been named president and CEO of Regal Ware Inc. He will succeed his father, Jeffrey A. Reigle, who will become chairman of the board. Ryan Reigle began his career with the company in 2007 and moved up to senior vice president in 2019. He was elected to the board in 2018.
With the impact of COVID-19, many people are feeling the pinch—both economically and socially—and it’s times like these that bring renewed attention to direct selling and the iconic “Avon Lady.” Particularly in the U.K., women, children, and even men, still have fond memories of “Avon calling.” They remember cheerful ladies ringing their doorbell, offering eyeshadow, lipstick and conversation. People still want that, according to recent numbers at Avon Products. The company announced it has seen a 114 percent uptick in the number of representatives joining its U.K. business since lockdown, and requests continue to come in. With the coronavirus still on the rise and a vaccine further in the future, good company and a little pampering is appealing for a lot of reasons.
Avon Philippines has launched its a line of intimate apparel through a campaign called “Welcome to the Nude Normal!” The campaign embraces “real women” by offering images shot at home by women representing various skin tones and body sizes. Avon is also showing the women in multiple occupational roles and demonstrating its support of diversity, a departure from the narrow ideal often promoted by brands. Since its launch on July 17, the 90-second spot has been viewed half a million times, and social-media users have also embraced #NudeNormal.
Women’s history month provides catalyst for new conversations
The month of March has been declared by Congress to be “Women’s History Month,” a time period dedicated to raising awareness and knowledge of women’s achievements and contributions, from the ordinary and everyday to the momentous.
Our channel is a celebration of women all its own with its icons and achievers: P.F.E. Albee, the first Avon lady, Mary Crowley of Home Interiors, Mary Kay Ash, Brownie Wise of Tupperware, Jan Day of JAFRA and Doris Christopher of Pampered Chef.
The channel itself grew into prominence with the help of these female icons who provided opportunity little available elsewhere for women at the time.
Most women I know are not just interested in seeing females find opportunity to excel professionally, tending to look around and make sure everyone is invited to the party, so to speak.
I think “people interested in diversity and inlclusion” may be terms better suited for describing the women, and many of the men, in our channel. These are the terms we’ve focused on for a part of this March issue.
In The Ranks (page 17-19), you will find a listing different than anything we’ve previously done: a list highlighting and celebrating midsized to large U.S.-based companies with diverse and inclusive C-Suites.
Diversity and inclusion actually have many dimensions beyond those key elements we’re highlighting (gender, ethnicity/race and age). But it’s certainly a start. We did our best in research to create a comprehensive list, although I am certain we’ve left someone out. Let me apologize in advance if it was you!
On page 28, you will find a terrific column full of research and data supporting the fact that “financial and cultural gains are the end result for companies willing to invest in women.” This information is presented by former President of OPTAVIA and former GM of Belcorp USA, Mona Ameli, currently managing partner of Ameli Global Partnerships. Ameli is nationally certifed in diversity and inclusion, and speaks with experience and authority on the subject.
This issue also includes information on a little known, but potentially troubling fact: your website falls under the requirements for the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Turn to Risk Roundup on page 24 to understand how this may affect you.
Our cover story once again deals with the FTC’s enforcement activity in our channel. This case is most interesting, not because the company is well-known, but because the FTC appears to be enlarging its net to include formerly “safe” elements in a multi-level compensation plan.
Please let us know your thoughts on this issue and on all the information we bring you in Social Selling News.
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