Wednesday, September 29, 2010

In health, prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Johns Hopkins Update


AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY ('TRY', BEING THE KEY WORD) TO ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY .




Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins :


1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer
Cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have
Multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients
That there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after
Treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the
Cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable
Size.


2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a
person's lifetime.


3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer
Cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and
Forming tumors.


4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has
Nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic,
But also to environmental, food and lifestyle factors.


5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing
Diet to eat more adequately and healthy, 4-5 times/day

And by including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing
Cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells
In the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract etc, and can
Cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.


7.. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars
And damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.


8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often
Reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of
Chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor
Destruction.


9. When the body has too much toxic burden from
Chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either
Compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb
To various kinds of infections and complications.


10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to
Mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy.
Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other
Sites.


11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer
Cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.


*CANCER CELLS FEED ON:


A. Sugar substitutes like
NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made
With Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute
Would be Manuka honey or molasses, but only in very small
Amounts.
Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in
Color Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.


B. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the
Gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting
Off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk cancer
Cells are being starved.


C. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment.
A meat-based
Diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little other meat,

Like chicken. Meat also contains livestock
Antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all
Harmful, especially to people with cancer.


D. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole
Grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into
An alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked
Food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live
Enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to
Cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance
Growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building
Healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most
Vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw
Vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at
Temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C)..


E. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high
Caffeine
Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer
Fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or
Filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap
Water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.


12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of
Digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the
Intestines becomes putrefied and leads to more toxic
Buildup.


13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By
Refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes
To attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the
body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.


14. Some supplements build up the immune system
(IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals,
EFAs etc.) to enable the bodies own killer cells to destroy
cancer cells.. Other supplements like vitamin E are known
to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's
normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or
unneeded cells.


15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit.
A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior
be a survivor. Anger, un-forgiveness and bitterness put
the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to
have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy
life.


16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated
environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to
get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen
therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer
cells.


1.
No plastic containers in micro.

2.
No water bottles in freezer.

3.
No plastic wrap in microwave..

Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters. This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well. Dioxin chemicals cause cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic. Recently, Dr Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital , was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers. This especially applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food. You get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper The dioxin problem is one of the reasons.

Please share this with your whole email list.........................


Also, he pointed out that plastic wrap, such as Saran, is just as dangerous when placed over foods to be cooked in the microwave. As the food is nuked, the high heat causes poisonous toxins to actually melt out of the plastic wrap and drip into the food. Cover food with a paper towel instead.

Former 2by2.net/ixp.net Top Producer Dr. Luis Arriaza Video

Former 2by2.net / ixp.net top producer, Chiropractor & Motivational Speaker Dr. Luis Arriaza speaking at a recent presentation for his new network marketing venture True2Life.

For after almost 5 years in network marketing hiatus, Dr. Luis Arriaza & Dr. Michael Shalhoub are back founding their own company True2Life in the Health & Wellness industry. It's great to see former colleagues back in the game!
















Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Orange County 1on1/Table Talk Locations

These are Approved 1on1/Table Talk presentation locations in Orange County. More will be posted.


Crowne Plaza Hotel FULLERTON

1500 S. RAYMOND AVE.
FULLERTON, CA 9283
1

Hotel Front Desk: 714-635-9000 | Hotel Fax: 714-520-5831

  • Free Parking
  • Meeting Location: Passed the Front Lobby, seating area by the bar.





Driving Directions

From South: 5 north to the 57 north to the 91 west. Exit Raymond, the hotel is on the right hand side. From North: 57 south to the 91 west. Exit Raymond, the hotel is on the right hand side.

From West: Take the 105 east to the 605 south to the 91 east. Exit Raymond and make a left. The hotel is on the right hand side. From East: 10 west to the 57 south to the 91 west. Exit Raymond, the hotel is on the right hand side.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Travel Pyramid Scheme? YTB investigated




Travel Pyramid Scheme?



A FOX 11 News investigation.

Updated: Friday, 27 Mar 2009, 7:23 PM PDT
Published : Wednesday, 25 Mar 2009, 10:57 PM PDT

Los Angeles (myFOxla.com) - Bernie Madoff may be the biggest, but his pyramid scheme is hardly the "only" one out there.

Hundreds of multi-level marketing companies make their money by recruiting more and more unsuspecting members. Now California is fighting back.

Phil Shuman shows us how one company got hit where it hurts in this video report.



More Info:

The Better Business Bureau of St. Louis-Southern Illinois, where "yourtravelbiz.com" is based, tells Fox News "YTB" is also being sued by the State of Illinois in a suit that's seeking class action status. In addition, the BBB tells Fox it's received complaints from 31 states and countries, resulting in a "F" rating on their Web site.

The Better Business Bureau also cautions Fox viewers to....

* Avoid plans that includes earnings primarily based on commissions for recruiting members.
* Beware of claims of enormous earnings.... they could be from "shills"... Decoy's paid by promoters to describe stories of fictional success.
* Verify the numbers promised with your own research.... if you decide to become a rep, you are legally responsible for the claims you make and if they prove false, you could be liable.

For additional details, click on:
http://stlouis.bbb.org/WWWRoot/Report.aspx?site=142&bbb=0734&firm=110220794

If you would like to file a complaint, go to: https://odr.bbb.org/odrweb/public/getstarted.aspx

http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/news/local/Travel_Pyramid_Scheme_20090325

ACN: Good Opportunity or Pyramid Scheme?





ACN: Good Opportunity or Pyramid Scheme?


Published : Saturday, 29 Nov 2008, 7:28 PM PST

Some say a company called "ACN" is a great business opportunity that's changed their lives. Others call it an illegal pyramid scheme. Which is it?

In this Fox 11 Investigation, Phil Shuman reports on controversy surrounding the international communications company.



http://www.myfoxla.com/dpp/news/investigative/ACN_Good_Opportunity_or_Pyramid_Scheme_20091129

For more info on ACN go to:

www.acninc.com

www.ripoffreport.com

www.scam.com

To contact the Federal Trade Consumer Department, see below:

Phone: Call our toll-free helpline: 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357)
TTY: 1-866-653-4261

Federal Trade Commission
Consumer Response Center
600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20580

Lindeen shuts down alleged pyramid scheme by ACN in Montana





Lindeen shuts down alleged pyramid scheme by ACN in Montana

Posted: Aug 3, 2010 6:00 PM

HELENA - Monica Lindeen, the Montana Commissioner of Securities & Insurance, has issued a cease and desist order and notice of proposed agency action against ACN, Inc., of North Carolina, for allegedly operating a pyramid scheme.

Lindeen charges that ACN enticed hundreds of Montanan residents to sign up with the company through deceptive claims that members could earn large sums of money through the recruitment of new participants and through the sale of phone services.

In announcing the order, Lindeen said, "Pyramid schemes are immensely profitable to a few individuals at the top and a complete loss for almost everyone else. The actions against ACN and its officers seek to shut down the company's alleged unlawful operation before more people lose their hard-earned money."

According to Lindeen, members who enroll with ACN earn compensation for each new person they enlist. The company attracts new members by claiming that "the bottom line in building your ACN business is that you are acquiring customers and sponsoring 'customer getters' in order to build a residual income for yourself."

The actions also allege that the only way an ACN participant can earn compensation is the recruitment of new participants to sell a phone service that is largely not available for use in Montana.

The Commissioner's Office found an overwhelming portion of revenues earned by ACN representatives was derived from participants who must personally buy a telephone service that allegedly does not work in many parts of Montana in order to become managers or recruit new participants into the program.

According to Lindeen's office, in 2008, ACN recruited 91 Montana participants who paid approximately $61,741 to be a part of the program. Only two of the participants made any money, with one participant making $696 and the other making $700. In 2009, ACN recruited over 300 Montana participants who paid approximately $234,813 to be a part of the program. ACN's records indicate a mere $896.86 was paid out in compensation to these participants. ACN's records indicate participants are located throughout Montana.

Individuals and companies promoting a pyramid promotional scheme in Montana can be fined as much as $10,000 per violation.

People who believe they have been victimized by ACN should contact the Securities Division of the Office of the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance at 1-800- 332-6148.


The ACN website states:

ACN is the largest direct selling telecommunications company in the world, providing services people need and use every day like local and long distance calling, Internet, wireless, home security and satellite TV - as well as the very latest in technology and cutting edge services of the future with Digital Phone Service and revolutionary video phone. ACN's Video Phone provides consumers with the unique opportunity to communicate face-to-face right from the comfort of home.

For nearly two decades, ACN has provided individuals with a home-based business opportunity - their own company within the company - marketing these outstanding products. The result is impressive services with more value for the consumer, and for those who understand the importance of timing, an incredible business ownership opportunity with lucrative personal and financial rewards.

Related Articles

http://www.ktvq.com/news/lindeen-shuts-down-alleged-pyramid-scheme-by-acn-in-montana/

FTC says POM juice ads are deceptive about health



FTC says POM juice ads are deceptive about health

FTC says claims that POM Wonderful treats or prevents disease are false and deceptive

, On Monday September 27, 2010, 11:50 am

NEW YORK (AP) -- Federal regulators filed complaints Monday against the makers of POM Wonderful Pomegranate Juice, saying there's no science to support claims that the products treat or prevent diseases such as prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction.

The Federal Trade Commission says POM Wonderful LLC, its parent company Roll International Corp., its creators and an executive violated federal law by making false and deceptive claims about disease prevention and treatment.

The agency's complaint names POM Wonderful President Matthew Tupper and company founders Stewart and Lynda Resnick, a billionaire California couple whose holdings also include florist retailer Teleflora, Fiji Water and companies that produce Wonderful Pistachios and Cuties clementines.

POM Wonderful is seen as starting the pomegranate craze that has spread to everything from tea to smoothies, hitting ice cream, martinis and salad dressings on the way. The company's health claims are a hallmark of its advertising.

POM Wonderful says on its website that it has spent more than $34 million to support scientific research on POM products since 1998. Study topics include muscle recovery, diabetes, antioxidant potency, heart disease, prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction.

Regulators said the ads were misleading in saying the research shows the juice or related pomegranate supplements prevent or treat certain diseases.

"Any consumer who sees POM Wonderful products as a silver bullet against disease has been misled," said David Vladeck, director of the FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection. He said companies using scientific research in their advertising must have research that supports the claims.

POM and its principals did not immediately respond to a call for comment from The Associated Press.

FTC complaints are not a conclusion or ruling that the law has been violated. The FTC will hold a hearing within eight months before an administrative law judge.

The FTC cited advertisements in national publications including The New York Times and Prevention, on Internet sites run by the company including pomwonderful.com and pompills.com, and elsewhere. Regulators question the scientific methods used and said some studies cited did not show POM Juice to be effective against the diseases.

The claims in POM ads that the FTC cites include:

-- "New research offers further proof of the heart-healthy benefits of POM wonderful juice. 30 percent decrease in arterial plaque ... 17 percent improved blood flow ... promotes healthy blood vessels...."

-- "Clinical studies prove that POM Juice and POMx prevent, reduce the risk of, and treat prostate cancer, including by prolonging prostate-specific antigen doubling time."

-- "You have a 50 percent chance of getting (prostate cancer). Listen to me. It is the one thing that will keep your (prostate-specific antigens) normal. You have to drink pomegranate juice. There is nothing else we know of that will keep your PSA in check.... It's also 40 percent as effective as Viagra."

The complaint asks that future claims about pomegranate-based products comply with Food and Drug Administration regulations, though that is not typically required for compliance with trade laws. Having the FDA approve claims would give the company more guidance, the FTC said.

The agency also wants to prevent POM and its parents, founders and the executive "from making any other health claim about any food, drug, or dietary supplement without competent and reliable scientific evidence."

The FTC said it reached a settlement in a related case with Mark Dreher, the former head of scientific research and regulatory affairs for POM Wonderful. He has agreed to a settlement that bars him from making any disease treatment or prevention claims in POM Wonderful advertising unless the claim is backed up.

Dreher also must not make health claims for other products without scientific evidence.

Such settlements do not mean there has been an admission of violating the law, the FTC said.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/FTC-says-POM-juice-ads-are-apf-3200889123.html?x=0

Friday, September 24, 2010

Wall Street's Celluloid Heroes: Brolin's "Evil" Addiction, LaBeouf's $650K Payday





Wall Street's Celluloid Heroes: Brolin's "Evil" Addiction, LaBeouf's $650K Payday

Posted Sep 23, 2010 02:29pm EDT by Stacy Curtin in Investing, Media, Banking

ACN Shut Down in Montana




ACN Shut Down in Montana
Securities Commissioner Attacks Second M.L.M. Company this Year

Earlier today the Montana Commissioner of Securities and Insurance Monica Lindeen (D) announced the issuance of a Cease and Desist Order and Notice of Proposed Agency Action against ACN, Inc. and several of its founders for allegedly operating a "pyramid scheme."

One of the primary concerns cited in the announcement was the allegation that Montana participants "must personally buy" and sell a phone service that is "largely not available for use in Montana".

The Commissioner also cited the low average earnings of ACN reps based in Montana. Allegedly, in 2008 ACN recruited 91 Montana participants who "paid approximately $61,741.69 to be a part of the program", averaging $678 each. All but two lost money, with one making $696 and the other making $700. In 2009 "over 300" Montana participants joined ACN and paid about $234,800, averaging about $775 each. According to the Commissioner's Office ACN's records show $896.86 was paid out to these participants, in total.

The Commissioner's announcement can be viewed here:

http://www.sao.mt.gov/news/20100803ACN.html

Commentary:

Montana's Commissioner of Securities and Insurance (note, not Montana's Attorney General) has filed somewhat similar charges against two M.L.M. companies this year, the other being Fortune High-Tech Marketing last April. You can view the Cease & Desist Order against FHTM here:

http://www.csi.mt.gov/legal/securities/S10_HITECH%20Cease%20and%20Desist.pdf

I've always been leery of service based M.L.M. programs, especially travel and telecom companies. Most tangible product based programs have payouts of between 45-50%, and per active rep monthly volumes of around $100. Most telecom companies (in general, this is not about ACN specifically, yet) have payouts of between 8% and 35% depending on the service (due to the much lower margins), and the average active rep generates anywhere from $75 to less than $20, again depending on the service they've signed up for. To compensate for the relatively weak income potential of such a plan, where reps are getting paid a smaller percentage of smaller monthly sales volume, a Customer Acquisition Bonus is paid when a certain number of "customers" are enrolled on one or more services. Companies can pay out anywhere from $45 to as much as $200 on these "CAB" bonuses, which often times have exceeded the total initial income to the company from those customers acquired. Where do they get the money to afford such a bonus? It's not, they'll always claim, from the several hundred dollar "Training/Trainer" fee a new rep pays when they join, and which is almost always required to achieve higher ranks in the plan. They'll usually try to cover for the CAB bonus by claiming it's an "advance commission" on the telecom service purchased, or that it's no different than, say, AT&T or MCI paying a customer to switch their service (they lose up front, but eventually make it up later). Perhaps. But I don't believe it's simply a aberrational coincidence that tangible, consumable product companies - those with payouts that have numbers like 50% and $100 on each side of the multiplication sign - rarely have enrollment fees higher than $50, and virtually all telecom based programs have enrollment packages of $250 to $499.



So, if ACN were to discontinue their $499 "Team Trainer" package, would they still be able to afford their $45 to $70 CAB bonus payouts? We may soon find out, at least in Montana. If we use the FHTM settlement as a guide, here's what ACN might be in for.

FHTM was required to:
1) Refund up to $840,000 to more than 3,400 Montana participants.
2) Pay fines and contributions totaling $150,000 (and a Montana distributor was ordered pay a $5,000 fine).
3) Change its business plan in Montana, including requiring new distributors to only pay $75 to become a rep (it was previously $299, and yes, FHTM offered mostly low margin services).
4) Conduct mandatory live and online training monitored by the Commissioner's Office.
5) Provide a disclosure form to every current distributor and prospect describing FHTM's program, including average incomes and the average amount of time it takes to reach each rank.
6) Emphasize product sales to non-participants and require its distributors to provide a monthly accounting of all non-participant customers.

Here's the actual Consent Agreement and Final Order:

http://www.csi.mt.gov/legal/securities/S10_HiTechConsent.pdf

Montana also successfully closed down AmeriPlan in that state back in 2006. AmeriPlan was accused of, among other things, being an illegal pyramid scheme (see HERE).

This isn't the first time ACN has come under legal fire. In 2002 the Competition Bureau of Canada charged ACN with operating an illegal pyramid scheme (see HERE). In November 2003, the court dismissed all charges against ACN. Not because it found ACN was not a pyramid scheme, but because it found "insufficient evidence" that they were a multilevel marketing company, thus did not fall within the applicable "Competition Act".

On November 15, 2004 the Australian branch of ACN was investigated by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) for allegedly operating a pyramid scheme. On March 23, 2005, an Australian judge ruled that ACN was promoting an illegal pyramid scheme based primarily on the "CAB" bonuses being paid. ACN appealed the ruling which was eventually reversed and the ACCC was ordered to pay ACN's court costs (see HERE).

My biggest concern here isn't so much how the ACN pay plan is structured, but rather Montana's focus on average incomes and the large number of ACN reps who earned little or no income at all. It's always disturbing when high ranking regulatory officials apply this illogical, irrational standard to only the network marketing industry. Only in our profession is the fact that the large majority of participants fail somehow indicative of an illegal business model. Of the 195,000 books published last year, more than 95% sold fewer than 5,000 copies. The vast majority of those who set out to become successful musicians, actors, or pro athletes fail. Easily 99% of those who sign up for a gym membership do not reach their conditioning goals. But when more than 95% of network marketers don't do what they're suppose to do, well enough, long enough, it somehow makes the company they chose to not do it in an illegal pyramid scheme.

For the record, I don't believe for a second that ACN is going anywhere. They've got a lot more money to spend on lawyers than FHTM does, and are, relatively speaking, a much more legitimate company and income opportunity. ACN will, I predict, soon be back in business in Montana, but with a modified program. To what extend, we'll have to wait and see.

ACN is 2-0 against Canada and Australia. Montana is 2-0 against M.L.M. companies. Vegas odds are 2-to-1 that ACN wins by decision and remains undefeated. But they may not look as pretty when the bout's over - at least in Montana.

ACN sales success challenged




ACN sales success challenged


Concord-based communications firm says Montana's charges of pyramid scheme are 'misunderstanding.'

By Stuart Watson Watson
swatson@wcnc.com

You may not recognize the name ACN. It was once short for American Communications Network, now billed as the world's largest direct seller of Internet phone service and now based in Concord. But you will probably recognize ACN's pitch man: Donald Trump.

Trump is scheduled to visit Charlotte this weekend to speak to 20,000 independent sales reps who will gather for a kind of pep rally and international training session at Time Warner Arena. Trump enthusiastically endorses ACN's desktop video phone, dubbed the "Iris 5000," as well as the company's sales plan. He placed the video phone prominently in a March 2009 episode of the NBC show in which he stars, "The Celebrity Apprentice."

But there is a legal cloud on the horizon for ACN.

Montana Securities Commissioner Monica Lindeen has accused the company of running a "pyramid scheme" and has filed a temporary cease-and-desist order there. ACN officials say the company will fight Montana's order, calling the allegation "a big misunderstanding" based on misreading company sales figures.

ACN charges $129 for the video phone but collects $499 for each new sales rep. A company spokeswoman says ACN has sold 300,000 of the phones and the company reports 200,000 current sales reps, half of them in the U.S.

In legal filings, Montana's Securities Commissioner accuses ACN reps of fraudulently stating income opportunities. "Folks look for a way to make money and in these hard times it's always good to find a way to try to make some," Lindeen said. "But in the case of a pyramid scheme 99.9% of the folks aren't going to make anything." Lindeen backs up the claim in legal filings with sales figures from Montana residents.

"We completely disagree, as well as our legal advisory team, which is made up of former attorneys general, and we will fight the case," says ACN Executive Vice President Dave Merriman, who promotes the company's sales plan. Merriman insists Montana officials are misreading the company's own numbers. He says, "It appears it's just a misunderstanding."

ACN refuses to release income statements or sales figures for independent sales reps or to disclose the so-called "churn rate," how quickly sales reps drop out and are replaced by new recruits.

But Merriman says most sales of phones and service - as well as satellite television and other products - are made to an estimated 1.5 million end-use customers, and not to sales reps buying products themselves to become eligible for sales commissions from their so-called "downline."

Welcome donor, employer

Two years ago, the state of North Carolina, Cabarrus County and the city of Concord offered ACN $600,000 in tax credits to relocate from Michigan to the former Concord Telephone Co. building prominently visible from Interstate 85. Merriman says the credits helped but did not cover the moving costs. He said the company has yet to take advantage of them.

The company brought with it more than 500 jobs that serve as support for what it claims are 200,000 sales reps and 1.5 million customers in 20 countries. Local officials celebrated the ribbon-cutting for the company, calling it a "silver lining" in the dark recession.

ACN also has promoted itself as a good corporate citizen, pledging $2 million to Charlotte's Ronald McDonald House, more than any other corporate contributor. The company collected contributions from sales reps at an international training session in Charlotte last year and Donald Trump wrote a check for $10,000.

But some of ACN's top salesmen have not always been such good citizens.

Masers convicted of felonies

An investigation by Newschannel 36, the Observer's television partner, has learned that two of the company's "Circle of Champions," brothers Michael C. Maser and Patrick D. Maser, were convicted of federal felony charges in 2003. The Masers are holding their own sales training at Ovens Auditorium this weekend, called "Wealth Institute."

Federal DEA agents connected the Maser brothers to an international drug ring that smuggled hundreds of thousands of ecstasy pills from Holland to their native Pennsylvania, and then laundered the proceeds. U.S. Drug Enforcement special agent Andrew Petyak says the Maser brothers' Dutch co-defendant Stefan Stricker was connected to organized crime in Europe.

Federal records show Michael Maser pled guilty to possession of ecstasy with intent to distribute and conspiracy to launder money. He received a 54-month prison sentence. He was released from prison in September 2006, according to Bureau of Prison records.

Patrick Maser pled guilty to conspiring to launder money, and was sentenced to five years probation.

The Masers did not respond to phone messages or e-mails. ACN Senior Marketing Manager Katie Mapel said in an e-mail that ACN's owners and senior managers were disappointed in the brothers' conviction - which occurred while they were ACN sales reps - but found no legal reason to terminate their agreement. "In the past 8 years, the Masers have focused on building their business and have had an outstanding record of operating ethically and professionally, and have since been appointed to ACN's Circle of Champions," Mapel wrote.

"The beauty of the ACN Opportunity is that someone's past doesn't determine their future or their level of success."

The Maser brothers are pictured in promotions for ACN, one inside a private jet. Patrick Maser appears in a video on Youtube pointing to a string of Mercedes-Benz vehicles and touting the "ACN lifestyle." Each brother claims to earn more than $100,000 a month from ACN.

Montana: ACN 'fraudulent'

Montana sales reps didn't have it so good.

The cease-and-desist order reports that, of 91 ACN sales reps in that state in 2008, none made more than $700.

The next year, the order reports that Montana sales reps paid almost a quarter of a million dollars in fees and memberships and for conventions, such as the one in Charlotte this weekend. The Montana reps earned back an average of 7cents on the dollar, the order says. Montana has set a hearing in the case for Oct. 25.



Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/09/11/1682953/acn-sales-success-challenged.html#ixzz10TDr7XgL


Thursday, September 23, 2010

Top 2by2.net Reps attend post ALMA Awards party!


Top 2by2.net Reps attend post ALMA Awards party!

May 31, 2002

The ALMA Awards was created in 1995 as part of NCLR’s strategy to promote fair, accurate, and balanced portrayals of Latinos in television, film, and music. Born out of a direct response to negative stereotyping of Latinos in entertainment, these awards honor Latino performers for their outstanding artistic achievement, impact, and enhancement of the image of Latinos.

This show, airing on ABC on June 1st, is the only two-hour Latino-themed prime-time awards special produced on any of the four major English-language networks. The show was named “ALMA” (Spanish for “spirit” or “soul”) which represents the determined spirit of the Latino people in an effort to reflect the spirit as well as the scope of the awards program.

Two limousines and a Bentley arrived at the storied Biltmore Hotel that evening to whisk a special group off to an equally special evening in absolute style. Arriving at the event, they emerged from luxury rides, dressed to the nines, they strolled the red carpet and entered the venue right along with the glittering Hollywood stars. After the stellar awards show, they found themselves again in the lap of luxury, gliding opulently down the major streets of LA and heading to an exclusive locale.

Once again walking the red carpet and being bedazzled amidst the photographers and fans, our reps gained entrance to Madre’s, a restaurant owned by a celebrity you may have heard of…Jennifer Lopez. Once inside, they were led to the exclusive 2by2.net VIP section where they spent the evening with celebrities and notables.

Yes, the Leading 2by2.net reps attended both the spectacular ALMA Awards ceremony and a rousing post-ALMA awards party in true Hollywood tradition. The American Latino Media Arts Awards Ceremony is the most prestigious event honoring the Latin American community. The show and award was named "ALMA" (Spanish for "spirit" or "soul") because it represents the determined spirit of the Latino people as well as the scope of the awards program. After the event there are "A-List" parties. Our honored group of 2by2.net reps held court at one of the best gatherings and restaurants.

Our A-List included Top Reps such as Dr. Luis Arriaza and Evelia Arriaza, Suzy Wan and Michael Synn, Leticia Pasillas and Luis Baeza, Michael Mo, Joshua Lau, Son Nguyen, Frank and Luis Salazar, Hector and Maria Flores joined Dennis Wong, Telicia Lander, Sophia Wong, Dave Enders, Jeffrey Morgan and Stacey Smith.

Excitement? Well, you can only imagine…

So what if they’ve already announced the winners. That doesn’t mean you still can’t enjoy the show.

On Saturday night, ABC airs the 7th annual ALMA Awards, hosted this year by actor-comedian Paul Rodriguez. (Check listings for local air time.) Taped last month in Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium, the show honors Latinos in the entertainment industry.

This year’s Entertainer of the Year award went to John Leguizamo, who is currently touring the nation with his new one-man show, Sexaholix. Tune in and you’ll also get to see salsa king Marc Anthony sweep the music categories. Anthony picked up trophies for Outstanding Male Performer, Outstanding Performance and Outstanding Spanish-language Album of The Year. Pop music diva Shakira won for Outstanding Female Performer.

Showtime’s Resurrection Blvd. collected four awards, including Outstanding Television Series. "I am so proud…," actor Tony Plana told HispanicOnline. "No Latino TV show has ever made it past its first season, and we are celebrating our third year."

Pop music superstar Ricky Martin won NCLR’s Vanguard Award for his contribution to fostering understanding of Latino culture. "We are one race of people, and through our work we are influencing the world," Martin said.

The winners of the ALMA Awards are selected by the National Council of La Raza’s nomination committee, which consist of people in the entertainment industry and past winners and nominees. NCLR is the nation’s most influential Hispanic advocacy group.

The non-profit organization buys air time from ABC, then sells ads to help pay for costs of the show. Ads reportedly sell for $100,000-120,000. NCLR also receives corporate contributions for the show from the likes of Coca-Cola and Wal-Mart. The show attracted 4.5 million viewers last year, according to ABC officials.

Posted: 5/30/02

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

eFusjon to go out of the MLM business




eFusjon to go out of the MLM business


In the email below, the eFusjon multilevel marketing company today announced the ending of their distributor model:

Dear eFusjon Distributors:

It is with great sadness that we announce today that we must cease the direct sales multi-level marketing business of eFusjon, Inc. as of September 1, 2010.

The independent contractor distributor agreements will terminate as of this date. See Distributor Agreement, Section 7 (“The Agreement shall continue in effect between the parties hereto until either party terminates the Agreement…”). Qualified distributors will receive their last compensation check for the month of August, less offsets against any amounts that are owed to the Company, on September 10th. Any commissions due will be available in your “Hyperwallet” account until October 31, 2010, after which date you will need to contact the corporate office (to access your “Hyperwallet” account please go to www.efusjonpay.com, or contact customer service for assistance). The Company will send refunds of the $30 membership fee to those distributors who became members in August 2010.

This was a very difficult decision for the Company and not one we had hoped to make. When the owners started eFusjon in 2008, we envisioned a unique and successful MLM business with healthy and unparalleled beverage products. The goal was to market these products through independent distributors via the MLM direct sales business model. Distributor performance, however, has been steadily declining for over a year now, and as a result, so has the Company’s revenues. The Company can no longer maintain a marketing model that is not generating the funds needed to grow a viable business. In short, the Company’s MLM business model is no longer a sustainable marketing strategy.

With a certain level of optimism, we also announce today our decision to explore other opportunities for the eFusjon product many of you have come to love. For some period of time, you may continue to enjoy eFusjon products through purchases (without compensation) on the eFusjon website www.efusjon.com.

Lastly, we extend a sincere and heartfelt thank you to all of you for your dedication to eFusjon over the years and for standing by our product and the Company during the height of our success as well as through more recent challenging times. We share your disappointment about the recent turn of events, but are cautiously optimistic about the future of eFusjon and eFusjon’s unparalleled, healthy beverages.

With gratitude,
The eFusjon Corporate Officers

This is the part that would irritate me if I were one of their distributors:

Distributor performance, however, has been steadily declining for over a year now, and as a result, so has the Company’s revenues. The Company can no longer maintain a marketing model that is not generating the funds needed to grow a viable business.

So, it’s the distributor’s fault? Perhaps one of the problems is that leadership at the company level fails to take full responsibility. Perhaps all the changes to the comp plan discouraged the distributors? Whose fault is that?

eFusjon was a relatively new MLM company that was just launched in 2008 with an experimental matrix compensation plan with “community overlap.” They had some initial success until their hype about a revolutionary “Facebook Application Launch” in July of 2009 failed miserably.

http://www.mlm-thewholetruth.com/network-marketing-news/efusjon-to-go-out-of-the-mlm-business/


by louabbott on August 31, 2010