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Natural Health Trends Corp. has appointed Linda Lucas Padilla to the newly created post of Senior Vice President of Marketing. Ms. Padilla will be the health company’s principal executive in charge of strategic global marketing support as well as branding, product marketing and development as well as play an active role in event planning.

The addition of this position further solidifies NHT’s position in the world of nutraceuticals and will allow the company to build a stronger global presence.

Chris Sharng, president of the company is excited about the new hire and the opportunity Ms. Padilla brings to expand the NHT Global brand. “With the addition of Linda to our executive team, we have made a concerted effort to move Natural Health Trends’ global focus toward a stronger product platform. She brings proven product expertise and strong global industry knowledge which further supports NHT’s plans to offer expanded and improved product offerings for our members worldwide.”

Prior to joining NHT, Ms. Padilla served as Vice President of Marketing for another direct sales giant, Mannatech. Within the direct sales industry, Ms. Padilla has held executive positions with Aerus Electrolux, Beauticontrol and Priceless Legacy. Her experience within the direct sales world spans over two decades. Ms. Padilla is an active member of the DSA with years of marketing, communications and creative product positions experience.

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Home Interiors and Gifts, the Dallas Based home good company that has had its fair share of financial troubles lately, has just been purchased by Home and Garden Party.

We had first reported about Home and Garden’s problems back in September when the company sent out a warning to employees.

Home and Garden Party, founded in 1996 in Marshall, Texas, has become a leader in the direct sales industry over the last decade. The company, founded by Penny and Steven Carlile purchased the assets of the U.S., Canadian and Puerto Rican assets of Home Interiors and Gifts last Thursday.

Carlile was pleased with the acquisition and the potential for success the joining of the two companies will have in the future. “Home Interiors has a storied history in the direct sales business for the past 51 years and has been a leader in this business for much of that time,” said Steve Carlile. “We’re very pleased to join forces with them going forward.”

Home Interiors was forced to file Chapter 11 to reorganize the company’s business and restructure its debt. Robin Crossman, the high profile CEO who was brought in last year to save the company released a statement regarding the announcement saying, “I am so proud of the Home Interiors field and the dedication they have to the heritage of Mary Crowley” (the company’s founder).

Penny and Steve Carlile issued a joint statement regarding the future of the two companies, “With all the necessary funds in reserve to complete the transaction, we can quickly and effectively assure the consultants of Home Interior that we’re committed to protecting the legacy of Mary Crowley and Home Interiors by building on the solid foundation that Home and Garden Party has enjoyed.”

The company will remain headquartered in Marshall. All parties involved hope that the acquisition will result in more jobs in the community in the coming months.

No word on what happens to the company’s status as part of the Direct Selling Association now that the company has been taken over.

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Creative Memories parent company, The Antioch Company, has just announced that they have come to an agreement with its lenders to restructure its debt. Antioch and six of its subsidiaries filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The company felt this was the best way to expedite the restructuring process, and also allowed the company to maintain its normal business operations without any interruption.

There was no specific word from the company on exactly why they had to file for chapter 11, though I’m sure the economy along with the advancement of online and digital scrapbooking products has impacted the company. Creative Memories says that they do not expect to have to lay off any employees or change its operating locations. The company will use the restructuring time to refocus on the business as well as expand product offering to meet the growing digital demands of the public.

After receiving advice from turnaround specialists, Antioch agreed to a prepackaged plan of reorganization that includes the debt restructuring. Company leaders say they expect the process to be completed by the end of this calendar year.

Asha Morgan Moran, global president of Creative Memories feels strongly that the restructuring plan will make the company better and stronger, “We are confident that the restructuring will provide strong opportunities for the company’s consultants, employees, and customers. This process demonstrates our commitment to the future of Creative Memories,” Morgan Moran said. “We will ensure that product development remains a top priority so that the company and our 55,000-plus global sales consultants will continue to benefit from our respected position in the traditional scrapbooking industry. At the same time, new product development will assist us in expanding our role into the digital market.”

Creative Memories is an active member of the Direct Selling Association (DSA).

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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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