OpTree

Michael Johnson, Herbalife’s Chairman and CEO, took a big step today by going on Jim Cramer’s Mad Money show this afternoon.

Cramer, who is known for putting CEO’s to task, didnt hold back with Johnson at all. First Cramer asked about the Probert resignation which he answered and said it was a sad day. He even mentioned “FDI” aka Fraud Discovery Institute but never mentioned Mankow by name or the full name of the organization which was brilliant.

When asked about the lead issue, Johnson said that everything has been tested and that the issue is a non-issue. Even when asked about the Spanish Ministry claim, Johnson didn’t duck at all and said it was based on a article from 2004 and they have dealt with it. He also mentioned that not a single Herbalife product has been pulled anywhere in the world.

Johnson did great. He answered every question, didnt flinch and came across incredibly professional as he usually does. He was very impressive in defending both the allegations as well as the question about potentially taking the company private. Cramer even suggested that may be the best course of action to which it seemed Johnson seems like they have discussed it internally but doesnt seem like that is happening too quickly.

Big kudos for Johnson who was in NYC at the Avondale Conference today, for going on Cramer’s. You have to respect the guy for meeting the issue head on and addressing it using a national platform. Great job!

You can see the full video here which is worth a look.

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Reportlinker.com has introduced an interesting report that covers an area in which many MLM/Network Marketing companies focus on, Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements.  Some interesting findings in the report:

The UK market for vitamins, minerals and supplements (VMS) grew by only 0.4% in value terms in the 12 months ending August 2007. This follows a history of market declines in 2001 and 2002, significant growth in 2003 and 2004, but only marginal growth since then. Virtually all growth has been in supplements, with vitamin products accounting for just over 30% of the market in 2006/2007 by value, and minerals and supplements representing nearly 70%. The VMS market is forecast to grow only slowly over the next 5 years (to 2011/2012).

The aging population profile of the UK (and US) will continue to benefit VMS products sales, since, in general, consumption rises with age. Manufacturers are increasingly producing supplements more specifically targeted at age-related conditions, such as those affecting the heart, the brain, the eyes and joints; the most successful products in recent years have been glucosamines and omega-3 fish oils. In addition, there is an overall greater interest shown in a healthier lifestyle, and greater affluence among the older population than previously.

However, the market has been held back by the periodic publication of research studies concluding that many of those taking VMS products do so unnecessarily.

It is, nonetheless, agreed that certain groups of people do benefit from their consumption. There is no scientific proof that supplementing the diet generally with extra vitamins or minerals is beneficial, and there could be a danger of overconsumption.

Multivitamins and fish oils continue to represent the largest segments of the VMS market, followed by single vitamins and, now, glucosamines. Sales in several sectors of the market are declining, although those of multivitamins, single vitamins and minerals appear to have stabilized.

What was interesting in the report was the declining amount of people purchasing VMS at health-food shops while a small but growing market share is held by direct-selling channels such as mail order and the Internet.

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