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Immunotec, global distributors of health and nutritional supplements, has announced the appointment of their new Vice President, marketing and Investor Relations Consultant.

Ron Wigdor will now serve as the company’s Vice President of Marketing. Wigdor has over two decades of experience in the marketing industry. Prior to joining Immunotec he held senior positions in the fields of packaged goods and corporate services marketing, specializing in brand building and market share growth.

Serge Comeau, will serve as a consultant for Immunotec’s Investor Relations department. Comeau is a specialist in representing public companies that focus on life sciences and resources. Comeau will help the company gain increased exposure in the financial and life sciences sectors and help improve communication between shareholders, the company and the investment community.

“I am very pleased that Ron and Serge will be utilizing their skills in the roles of Vice President, Marketing and Investor Relations Consultant, respectively, at Immunotec,” said James A. Northrop, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Both bring with them a wealth of experience and knowledge that will be invaluable.”

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Some sad new today for the MLM community, Bonnie Jean Longaberger, the 100-year-old matriarch of the Longaberger basket company has passed away.

Bonnie and her late husband, J.W. Longaberger, raised 12 children in Dresdon, Ohio, where J.W. worked at a basket company that was next door to the family house. He taught the children the art of making the baskets by hand. The couples’ late son, Dave Longaberger went on to found the Longaberger Basket Company which is now run by Dave’s son.

Tami Longaberger, the company’s Chief Executive and President put a letter on the Longaberger Co. website to inform all customers, saying that her grandmother had remained active in the company and the community until recent years. She describes “Grandma Bonnie” as a resilient, loving woman with a zest for life. Condolences may be sent to bonniesympathy@longaberger.com

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2008, at the Dresden United Methodist Church. Those who wish to make contributions in Bonnie’s memory may do so by making checks payable to the “Grandma Bonnie Fund” and send to The Longaberger Foundation, 1500 E. Main Street, Newark, OH

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The Direct Selling Association will be on hand this week to help the Today Show kick off their annual Toy Drive. The 15th Annual TODAY Show Holiday Toy Drive will be launched Monday November 24th at 8:30 AM. This will be the fifth year that the DSA has been a part of the annual drive.

The DSA will kick off the drive by presenting the direct selling industry’s donation live in Rockefeller Plaza. Thirty two direct selling companies have come together to donate products to the drive, the total donation coming in at over $9 million dollars in products. Seven of the DSA’s companies will be featured in spots on the TODAY show during the holiday season.

Items donated include books, clothing, toiletries and of course toys for children and families all across the United States. Over the past five years, DSA member companies have donated over $37 million dollars in cash, product and services to the Toy Drive.

This is a a brilliant move on the part of the DSA and the member companies that are a part of this. Given the economic times, network marketing companies are going to continue to thrive as more and more people seek additional forms of income.

The following direct selling companies donated products to this year’s Toy Drive:
4Life
Advocare
Amway
Arbonne
Avon Products, Inc
Blessings Unlimited
Butterfly Worldwide, LLC
Clever Container
Cookie Lee
Creative Memories
CUTCO
DeMarle at Home
DeTech
Essential Bodywear
Fifth Avenue Collection
The Happy Gardener
lia sophia
The Longaberger Company
Mary Kay Inc
National Companies
Nature’s Sunshine
Oxyfresh
The Pampered Chef
PartyLite Gifts
Purse Party, Inc
Shaklee Corporation
Signature HomeStyles
Southern Living at Home
The Southwestern Company
Stampin’ Up!
UDesign Jewelry
Vantel Pearls

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As a brief follow-up to a story we posted last week, Terrence O’Day, the now former Executive VP and Chief Operating Officer who recently announced his departure from Mannatech was just named the new Senior Vice President, Global Operations, of Hershey - His position there will become effective December 1.

O’Day kept pretty quiet about his departure and the reasons behind it- but now it seems all question have been answered. Still no word yet on his resplacement at Mannatech.

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