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September 7, 2005
Misleading Ads?
By QBlog in Miscellaneous
Eric Scheibeler sent me a couple of emails last month pointing out that the Direct Selling Association was advertising on my blog. There's nothing particularly noteworthy about that since most of my blog displays Google Ads. However, what Scheibeler noticed is that the DSA ads were hard to spot since they appeared to be advertising something else.
See that ad above? That's an image of an actual DSA Google Ad that appeared on the Quixtar BLOG. Notice that it says, "Pyramid Scheme Alert?" Scheibeler doesn't believe that's an accident and I tend to agree with him. You see, Pyramid Scheme Alert is a non-profit watchdog organization that has been very critical of many DSA members in the past. So, why would the DSA use the phrase "Pyramid Scheme Alert" in their Google Ads? Maybe hoping to cause a bit of confusion?
In addition to the Google Ads, the the DSA also owns the URL "pyramidschemealert.com." The Quixtar Sucks blog explains:
Now what is www.pyramidschemealert.com? It is redirecting to http://www.dsa.org/selling/pyramid.htm. Not only that, look at the google ads on my blog. Pyramid Scheme Alert.com.
So What?
So, basically the DSA is running ads that say "Pyramid Scheme Alert" and direct people to a DSA website. Is this a problem? Well, that's really hard to say. The DSA site does have some information about Pyramid Schemes so the ads aren't exactly fraudulent. But are the ads as clear as they could be? No, but isn't that the case with most ads?
The important question to ask is Why? Why do you think the DSA is running the "Pyramid Scheme Alert" Google Ads? Is it to inform the public or to confuse them? Or is it a little of both? What do you think?
Tactics
If I were a member of the watchdog group, Pyramid Scheme Alert, here's what I'd do — I'd buy some Google Ads that are exactly like the ones pictured above and of course have them link to pyramidschemealert.org. Fight fire with fire is what I say.
Comments
Looking at the people involved at DSA, you can guess what is going on:
DSA Board of Directors
Chairman
Mr. Lee Morgan
Creative Memories
Vice Chairman
Mr. Jeff Reigle
Regal Ware, Inc.
Vice Chairman
Mr. Nathan P. Moore
Mary Kay Inc.
Treasurer
Mr. Daniel L. Murphy
Princess House, Inc.
Immediate Past Chairman
Mr. Douglas L. DeVos
Alticor Inc.
Past Chairman
Mr. Brian C. Connolly
Avon Products, Inc.
President
Mr. Neil H. Offen
Direct Selling Association
Secretary
Mr. Joseph N. Mariano
Direct Selling Association
Counsel
Ms. Deborah T. Ashford
Hogan & Hartson L.L.P.
Directors
Ms. Lisa J. Brandau
AtHome America, Inc.
Ms. Leslie Campbell
TARRAH Cosmetics, Inc.
Mr. Samuel L. Caster
Mannatech, Inc.
Mrs. Doris K. Christopher
The Pampered Chef
Mr. David F. DeFeo
The Longaberger Company
Mr. Raymond J. Faltinsky
FreeLife International
Ms. Marjorie L. Fine
Shaklee Corporation
Mr. Jerry Heffel
The Southwestern Company
Mr. Robert M. Henry
Arbonne International, Inc.
Mr. Harry W. Hersey, III
Goldshield Elite
Mr. M. Truman Hunt
Nu Skin Enterprises
Mr. Peter O. Johnson, Jr.
Hy Cite Corporation
Mr. Jerry Kelly
Silpada Designs
Mr. Michael D. Lohner
Home Interiors & Gifts, Inc.
Mr. David R. Merriman
ACN, Inc.
Mr. Robert L. Montgomery
Reliv International, Inc.
Mr. Stian Morck
Arbonne International, Inc.
Mr. Greg Probert
Herbalife International of America, Inc.
Ms. Rosemary Redmond
Weekenders USA, Inc.
Mr. James H. Ridinger
Market America, Inc.
Mr. Paul Vidovich
Rexair, Inc.
Mr. David A. Wentz
USANA Health Sciences, Inc.
Reference:
http://www.dsa.org/about_dsa/board.cfm
Just to follow up on the above:
Vice Chairman
Mr. Jeff Reigle
Regal Ware, Inc.
RegalWare, while they have direct sell organizations of their own, are the largest supplier of cookware to AccessBusinessGroup.
Multi-millions of dollars.
DeVos family had been chair of DSA.
http://www.gcc.edu/news/releases/spring2002/4-9devos.htm
"DeVos serves on many additional boards, some of which include the National Fatherhood Initiative, the U.S. Direct Selling Association, the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, Grand Valley State University, Old Kent Financial Corp., the political action committee Restoring the American Dream, the Blodgett/Butterworth Health Care Foundation and the Davenport College of Business. Past posts include the executive committee of the West Michigan Boy Scouts, a trustee at the Federalist Society and the Grand Rapids area co-chairman of the United Negro College Fund Drive."
DeVos family had been chair of DSA.
http://www.gcc.edu/news/releases/spring2002/4-9devos.htm
"DeVos serves on many additional boards, some of which include the National Fatherhood Initiative, the U.S. Direct Selling Association, the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, ...."
Who contributes vast sums of $$$ to DSA?
No matter how you spell it: Alticor, Amway, Quixtar, etc...it all translates to Scamway.
Posted by: SeeSpray | September 7, 2005 6:08 PM