A crucial Supreme Court ruling, FTC strategy shifts and social media challenges impact direct selling in an eventful year.
January Headlines FTC Launches ‘Operation Income Illusion’ The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), along with 19 federal, state, and local law enforcement partners announced a nationwide crackdown on consumer scams promising income and financial independence. Although no direct selling companies were targeted by this operation, it marked a beginning to the COVID-19-era scrutiny of work-from-home-scams, pyramid schemes and coaching courses, among other businesses.
DSA Rolls Out New Compliance Certification Program
The Direct Selling Association (DSA) began a comprehensive compliance program to be made available to member and non-member companies. The Direct Selling Compliance Professional Certification Program (DSCP-CP) was created for individuals and does not certify an entire company. The program includes four three-hour online sessions for a total of 12 hours and is designed to be taken over several days. Modules include topics such as “Claims Substantiation and Disclosures”; “Product Claims”; “Monitoring and Removal of Claims from Social Media Platforms”; “The Role of Compliance in Your Organization”; and “Conveying the Right Marketing Message.” 
Cultural differences create challenges and opportunities for regulators and companies
By: David BlandEuropean policy and decision-making are always cyclical. There are different cycles of policymaking, and we’re in different phases of policy proposals that affect the direct selling sector. —Laure Alexandre, Executive Director, SELDIA
On Jan. 7, 2020, the European Parliament and Council of the European Union entered into force a comprehensive legislative Directive. Often referred to as the Omnibus Directive as part of the “New Deal for Consumers,” Directive (EU) 2019/2161 was crafted to bolster consumer rights within today’s modern digital landscape. 
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.
The channel surges to record growth during difficult year
The halfway point to 2021 has arrived. I suppose it is appropriate that I find myself both reflecting on the year to date and looking forward toward what’s to come. When thinking about my interactions with many of you during the past six months, the words that come to mind are—energy, adaptability and humility.
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