OpTree

Amway Co-founder, the late Jay Van Andel was remembered last night at the Republican National Convention in Minnesota.

Early in the night, before speeches by President Bush, Fred Thompson and Joe Lieberman, convention go-ers and leaders remembered Republican Leaders who have passed away during the last four years, including Van Andel, a large presence on the Republican political scene. Those remembered were honored for their generous contributions and life-long service to the Republican Party.

Van Andel, who passed away in December of 04 from Parkinson’s, was a close friend of former President Ford, who was also honored, and a large contributor to the Republican Party. In 2004 alone, Van Andel contributed $2 million to the re-election campaign of President Bush and over $400,0000 to the Michigan State Republican Party. Van Andel, in addition to contributing money, was active in politics as well, even serving as chairman of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

In other Amway/Republican convention News, the son of the other Amway C0-Former and former Amway Corp President, Dick DeVos, commented on John McCain’s choice of VP running mate Sarah Palin saying, “I think the American people are going to find a very straightforward woman who has lived in real life.”

As a side note, DeVos ran Governor of Michigan as the Republican nominee two years ago, running the most expensive gubernatorial campaign of all time- $41 million- only to lose to democratic nominee, Jennifer Granholm.

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This years Olympics have shown us the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Unfortunately, for many athletes, the repercussions of the events of the Olympics, might follow them and cost them long after the games are over. For Liu Xiang, a Chinese athletic hero, the injury that caused him to pull out of the games might affect not only his popularity, but his wallet.

To say Xiang is popular in China is a huge understatement. After winning gold in the hurdles in the 2004 Olympics, he was raised to almost God-like status. Xiang is the spokesperson for almost every major product in China, from sports drinks to cars. One of his biggest campaigns is for Nutrilite. Xiang has been a spokesperson for the company and its vitamins and nutrients for years. Nutritlite, who’s parent company is global giant Amway, has an enormous presence in China, and in fact, it is their largest market. The company spends millions of dollars every year on TV and print advertising in the country.

As we all know, an achilles tendon injury forced Xiang out of these games, and now Nutrilite, along with other companies is reconsidering the athlete as one of their top spokespeople Xiang has been featured in several high profile commercials over the years including an Olympic teaser that has been featured all over Chinese TV. Nutrilite has hinted that they will stand by the athlete, but people are hinting that that might change once the games officially end. No official word on their decision is expected until after the end of the Olympics.

Nutrilite was forced by the Chinese government to pull their ads off of Chinese TV a month ago as they are not an official Olympic sponsor.

Also, their pre-Olympic commercial features Xiang along with Asafa Powell, who also performed well below what was expected of him. Maybe the Nutrilite commercial is cursed. But…..here it is for all of you who have not seen it.

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Amway announced that they will launch a mobile brand experience tour in the US to raise awareness of two of its flagship brands, Nutritlite - the dietary supplement subsidiary of Amway, and Artistry, a skin care and cosmetics line.

The mobile tour will feature two customized motor coach buses and will travel to over 20 cities across the US during the fall of 2008. The tour will follow the Amway Global sponsored, Tina Turner Live in Concert tour which begins October 1st.

“This campaign is unlike anything Amway Global has done before,” says Steve Lieberman, Managing Director of Quixtar North America/Amway Global. “We’re incredibly proud of our ARTISTRY and NUTRILITE brands, but they’ve been two of the world’s best-kept secrets. We intend to change that by literally taking these brands on the road and introducing them to consumers. We’re excited to take to the streets, show consumers what we’re all about, and support the Independent Business Owners (IBOs) who sell these products and have made these brands global leaders in their categories.”

Artistry and Nutrilite, although not well known brand names, generate over a billion dollars in sales globally each year. Artistry itself generates over a billion dollars, and has been one of the top five best selling cosmetics brands around the world for over 7 years. Nutrilite, based on 2007 sales, is the leading brand of vitamin and mineral supplements in the world. Amway hopes that this mobile experience will make more consumers aware of that. Amway wants new and existing Amway customers to become aware of all of Amway Global’s brands and products, as well as the opportunity the company provides for independent representatives.

The customized coaches will include lounges for sampling Artistry and Nutrilite products, a spa station and interactive presentations outside the coach to teach new consumers about the products. The experience will also include a decked out semi trailer that will provide health assessments for those interested in the Nutrilite vitamins and minerals.

The mobile tour, along with the Amway Global Presents Tina Turner Live in Concert Tour, will kick off in Kansas City, October 1st. While Tina Turner will tour do over 36 concerts in 20 US and Canadian cities, the mobile branding tour will only follow Turner on the US stops in 2008. 2009 tour dates will be announced later in the year.

Amway is hoping that the tour will raise awareness of the company’s vast array of products. Currently, Amway operates as Quixtar in the US, however, they will be transitioning back to the Amway Global brand in 2009.

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Amway has partnered with the YMCA of the USA to work together to build healthier communities around the United States. Amway will help in the YMCA’s efforts to address the health crisis in this country and donate money to support Activate America, a program started by the YMCA to attack the health problems faced by millions across the country every day.

“Through Activate America, YMCAs are engaging their communities to better support people of all ages who are struggling to achieve and maintain well-being of spirit, mind and body,” said Lynne Vaughan, Senior Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer for YMCA of the USA. “This collaboration with Amway Global will provide YMCAs with new opportunities to reach beyond their walls and connect with more health seekers, who can benefit from the YMCA’s holistic approach to well-being.”

The financial commitment from Amway Global will help pay for a vast education campaign to increase knowledge about how to improve individuals health and wellness. Programs will include specially designed programs for teens, online wellness tools for adults and families, and grants to support health and wellness events at hundreds of YMCA’s across the country. Amway Global will also donate money to help fund America on the Move Week, a YMCA sponsored event designed to encourage families to incorporate exercise and healthy habits into their every day lives.

The YMCA has been around for over 160 years and is today the largest provider of well being programs across the United States. Amway’s funding for various health and wellness initiatives will enable the YMCA to continue helping millions of people stay mentally and physically fit and healthy.

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