OpTree

Coming up towards the end of summer and there is not a great deal of news in the industry as many are taking well earned vacations over the next two weeks. One company who has no time for rest is YTB. The embattled company has been dealing with not only the lawsuit filed against them by the California DA but others have jumped on the bandwagon to attack the Co. What is great to see though is that there are a number of YTB distributors who have been coming to the support of the company.

As the Olympics come to a close this Sunday, there are a few bright spots for MLM sponsored athletes. USANA’s Becca Ward got the Bronze in fencing. Nutrilite’s Liu Xiang wasn’t as fortunate after pulling up with a tendon injury and forcing one of China’s most popular athletes to pull out of the track and field events. As we pointed out, one has to wonder about the “curse” of the Nutrilite commercial since other athletes who appear in the ad were all expected to do very well and haven’t at all.

Popularity: 12% [?]

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.

Popularity: 10% [?]

Amway’s health supplement brand, Nutrilite has just unveiled its newest global advertising campaign. The new Campaign will leverage Nutrilite’s relationship with Ronaldinho, worldwide soccer superstar and Nutritlite Spokesperson.

The new advertising campaign will be called, Number One Scores Number 10. Ronaldinho, a two-time FIFA player of the year, is a huge star all around the world, and his partnership with Nutritlite has been a great way for the company to promote the brand globally

The newest campaign, Number One Scores Number 10, has been designed to not only raise awareness of Nutrilite products, but also to make consumers aware of Team Nutrilite. Ronaldinho, the newest addition to the Team Nutrilite team roster, uses the Nutrilite Daily product every day as part of his training regime.

Other members of the Nutrilite Team include, former Worlds Fastest man, sprinter Asafa Powell, World Record holder, hurdler Liu Xiang and Sanya Reynolds a former world’s fastest woman in the 400 meter run.

The Number One Scores Number 10, campaign will be seen in over 50 countries around the world where Nutrilite products are sold.

In addition to the new campaign, Ronaldinho will act as a spokesperson for the Amway One by One campaign for children. Amway will donate $25,000 per goal Ronaldinho makes next season to the foundation which help needy children around the world.

Popularity: 8% [?]