The multi-level marketing (MLM) business model has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years, particularly during the pandemic.

This surge can be attributed to the fact that many people were looking for ways to make extra income while working from home, and MLM companies were able to capitalize on this trend.

For example, Nu Skin Enterprises, a company that utilizes the MLM business model, saw its stock triple in value from March 2020 to a June 2021 peak of $62.

However, the company is now facing challenges in China, where it gets a significant portion of its revenue, due to accusations of spreading Covid.

On the other hand, some MLM companies have been experiencing a fall in profits, such as Avon and Tupperware, which have been walking dinosaurs, still trying to do "person-to-person" sales to end-users with commodity products.

Avon's stock value fell from over $30 to just over $3, and the company eventually split off its faltering North American business and sold it to a Korean company.

Tupperware's stock value has also dropped over 90% in the last 5 years, and the company has been warning investors about its financial situation.

Some experts argue that the MLM business model is not sustainable and is essentially a pyramid scheme, where the people at the top of the pyramid make the most money, while those at the bottom lose out.

Overall, the MLM business model has been experiencing a mix of surge and fall in profits in recent years, depending on the company and its ability to adapt to changing market trends.

The multi-level marketing (MLM) business model has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years, particularly during the pandemic.

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Nu Skin’s Biggest Customer Base Is in China. Now It’s Accused of Spreading Covid.

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The Covid pandemic was good for the business of multilevel marketing firms like Nu Skin Enterprises, as furloughed workers tried to make ends meet by selling vitamins and skin creams from home. Salespeople swelled the bottom of Nu Skin’s marketing ranks, and its stock tripled in value from March 2020 to a June 2021 peak of $62, before sliding back to a recent $47.

Now Covid is a problem for the company in China, the nation where Nu Skin (ticker: NUS) gets its largest number of customers and more than 20% of its revenue. A...

This surge can be attributed to the fact that many people were looking for ways to make extra income while working from home, and MLM companies were able to capitalize on this trend.

For example, Nu Skin Enterprises, a company that utilizes the MLM business model, saw its stock triple in value from March 2020 to a June 2021 peak of $62.

However, the company is now facing challenges in China, where it gets a significant portion of its revenue, due to accusations of spreading Covid.

On the other hand, some MLM companies have been experiencing a fall in profits, such as Avon and Tupperware, which have been walking dinosaurs, still trying to do "person-to-person" sales to end-users with commodity products.

Title:

Content: 'Direct Selling' - Avon, Tupperware - Is Extinct

Nov. 18, 2022 11:25 AM ETHLF, MED, NTCO, NUS, PRI, TUP, USNA3 Comments
Robert FitzPatrick
394 Followers

Summary

  • Direct Selling became obsolete generations ago. So how is it that millions today get recruited for "income opportunity" in "direct selling" and billions are traded on "direct selling" stocks?
  • Avon and Tupperware are cited by "multi-level marketing," or MLM, promoters as "proof" that MLM, e.g., Amway, Herbalife, is "direct selling."
  • Usable data on actual income and churn rates of MLM "direct sellers," market saturation, and retail sales to actual customers are not provided.
  • In fact, Avon and Tupperware for years have been walking dinosaurs, still trying to do "person-to-person" sales to end-users with commodity products, while MLMs hype "unlimited" income.
  • The shrunken and devolved state of Avon and Tupperware today reveals that direct selling is extinct. MLM is not, and never was, direct selling.

It is generally accepted that "direct selling" was killed off generations ago by mass merchandising, big box stores, mail-order and then the internet, among other societal changes. The "Fuller Brush man" is long gone. No one's at home. No one wants or needs or has time for a "personal" salesperson. Everything's in stores or online. And, even when "direct selling" still lived, no one ever went into that tough line of work thinking they would get rich from it.

Yet, each year, millions are recruited, and pay thousands, for the "opportunity" to work as "direct sellers," with promises and expectations of "unlimited" income. The number involved today is many, many times greater than ever worked in that "extinct" field decades ago. Billions are being traded on Wall Street for shares of "direct selling" companies. How can this be?

In my book, Ponzinomics, the Untold Story of Multi-Level Marketing, I document the death of "direct selling" and the 1945 invention of "multi-level marketing," or MLM. I describe how "MLM" falsely assumed direct selling's revered old identity. I trace MLM from its Adam, a little California-based company called "Nutrilite," to today's "industry" led by Amway, Herbalife (HLF) down 64% YTD, Nuskin (NUS) down 31%, USANA Health Sciences (USNA) down 49%, Primerica, Inc. (PRI) down 13%, and Medifast (MED) down 45%. MLM's financial solicitations for consumers to become "direct sellers" have reached into – and led to losses for – virtually every household in America.

In the newly invented "MLM," the main source of revenue shifted from end-user customers to the salespeople themselves who are incentivized to "be their own customer" by buying their own products. Obviously, no one makes money purchasing their own inventory, but MLM offered a unique reason to do so – "unlimited" income potential.

No More Need to Knock on Doors

All MLM "direct sellers" can potentially gain "unlimited" income by recruiting an "endless" chain of other "direct sellers." No need to pound the pavement and get rudely rejected at front doors any more. Each "direct seller" on the chain has to meet a quota to "qualify" for future rewards from their recruits who, in turn, are their "own customers" and recruiters too, ad infinitum. The chain can grow without continuous personal effort. The qualifying quota can usually be met by just making a personal monthly purchase of inventory. "Commissions" on all these transactions, all the way down to the "last ones in," flow up the chain. In the MLM pay plan, most of the total commissions go to the top 1%. So, all new "direct sellers" try mightily to recruit (and buy) their way to those top ranks. Of course, only a tiny few can ever be at the top.

Some people argued this is a pyramid recruiting scheme, inherently unfair and deceptive, and a counterfeit of direct selling. In the design and the pay plan, bottom ranks – the vast majority – will inevitably lose. They said constantly adding salespeople in any area destroys profitable retail selling potential, if any exists to start with. They cited data on 90-99% loss rates and huge churn rates among new "recruits" and asked, where are the retail "customers"?

While offering no data on retail customers or salespeople losses or market saturation, MLM promoters offered "proof" that MLM is direct selling by pointing to two long-established and respected direct selling companies in their ranks, Avon and Tupperware (TUP). Both companies were members of the Direct Selling Association, DSA, and both were "direct selling" icons, Avon for its "ladies" and Tupperware for its "parties." To any pyramid scheme accusations, MLM promoters indignantly countered: "Are you calling Avon and Tupperware pyramid schemes?"

Walking Dinosaurs

The truth for both companies is very different from the MLM-spin. Avon and Tupperware used to have differentiated products and real consumer demand. Their salespeople made money from their own retail sales. But moving into the 21st Century, Avon and Tupperware became walking dinosaurs, vestiges of the extinct era of "direct selling." They were still trying to base their businesses on their historical brands and on person-to-person retail sales to real customers, as direct selling companies always used to do.

Despite MLM's citing Avon and Tupperware, and thereby bestowing legitimacy on the "MLM" members of the Direct Selling Association, deep differences between those icons of the old era and MLM burst into public view in 2013-14. The two companies publicly quit the Direct Selling Association, charging ethics violations and DSA-member connections to pyramid schemes.

Avon's Long Good-Bye

Avon had been a true direct seller for decades before MLM was invented. But as the door-to-door model faded, Avon began a long decline. In 2000, Avon began shifting its focus to "incentivizing" salespeople to recruit more salespeople and getting them to buy inventory, MLM-style. In 2009, during the Great Recession, Avon ran its most expensive ad in history, on television during the Super Bowl. The ad never mentioned any Avon products! It only solicited "salespeople." Still, global revenue dropped continuously over the next 10 years. Avon stock value fell from over $30 to just over $3.

Finally, Avon split off its faltering North American business and sold it to the Korean company, LG Household & Health Care. Avon claimed to have 250,000 sales representatives in North America. The remaining global business was later sold to the Brazilian MLM, Natura (NTCO) down 50% YTD, which also owns the retailer, Body Shop. Though Avon global was much larger, Avon shareholders traded 3 shares of Avon for just one in Natura.

The Korean-owned segment of Avon in North America is now classic MLM, selling the proverbial MLM "income opportunity" along with "health" supplements, make-up, jewelry, clothing, scented candles, even toothpaste.

On the Canadian Avon website, Avon promotes the "income opportunity," urging prospects in large bold black type: "Think big. Sell Avon part-time, full-time, you decide how much! It’s your business, your way!"

A disclosure (legally required in Canada, but not in the USA) appears midway down a long webpage in tiny, barely visible gray lettering: "The 2020 earnings of a typical Avon Leadership Representative was between $0 and $2,620 in commissions and bonuses." That's $0 to $50 a week, before subtracting all costs! And the "disclosure" does not break out how much of that tiny return comes from personal sales or the "downline."

Avon quietly rejoined the Direct Selling Association. The Brazilian company, Natura, which took over Avon's global business in 2020, has lost over 60% of its stock value in the last year.

Tupperware on the Brink

Tupperware was one of the first "party plan" companies, which are technically a small subset of MLM. They employ an "endless" recruiting chain, but are more rooted in retail sales transacted at "parties." Tupperware used to have a popular brand with innovative, differentiated products. But, as true direct selling began to disappear, Tupperware went into decline. It added MLM-type "health and beauty" commodities to bolster recruiting appeal but then deleted them. This year, it began also selling its products in Target department stores. Its kitchen-related goods are generally not distinct from other brands. A 10-months "Income disclosure" for Canada (not published in the USA) showed that half the "party planners" were classified "inactive," earning less than $30 for the period on average. 94% of the "active" ones reportedly received about $12 a week on average, before expenses.

In the last 5 years, the stock value of Tupperware has dropped over 90%. Its latest financials warned investors the company may violate loan agreements, setting off speculation Tupperware might declare bankruptcy.

The shrunken and devolved state of Avon and Tupperware, the most famous brand-icons of "direct selling," makes citing them as a defense of "multi-level marketing" as extinct as their old business model.

This article was written by

394 Followers
Robert L. FitzPatrick is the author of the new book, Ponzinomics, the Untold Story of Multi-Level Marketing (2020),the first comprehensive history and analysis of the "MLM" phenomenon, addressing its political influence, propaganda techniques and use of cult persuasion. FitzPatrick is an expert in examining and revealing deception and fraud in Ponzi schemes, pyramid schemes and bogus home-based businesses. He served as expert or consultant in more than 30 court cases involving pyramid schemes and multi-level marketing. He is co-author of False Profits (1997), an examination of the values and beliefs that support the delusions of pyramid schemes. He was featured on NBC Dateline, ABC World News, and CBS 60 Minutes, the documentary film, Betting on Zero and the podcast, The Dream.He has been quoted in many newspapers around the world, including the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. His booklet, Pyramid Nation, has been translated to Chinese and used by government regulators in writing China's first laws on pyramid schemes. His booklet, "The 10 Big Lies of Multi-Level Marketing", has been translated into four languages and posted on numerous websites. His White Paper, "The Main Street Bubble", which details the extensive influence-buying of the direct selling industry was featured in a CNBC Documentary, Selling the American Dream. In 2005, he delivered a seminar to in Colombo, Sri Lanka to central banking representatives from that country as well as India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal. Robert FitzPatrick has developed informational resources for consumers, journalists, academics and regulators including a multi-media PowerPoint presentation and a statistical analysis of the losses suffered by participants in pyramid selling schemes. He also published a widely read booklet on the landmark federal case brought against the Amway Corporation. He is a expert network member of GLG Research, and Coleman Research Group, as well as other networks of experts who are referred to clients for consultation, speaking and report writing. In this capacity, he has provided expert consultation to financial many analysts who sought information about multi-level marketing companies and pyramid and Ponzi schemes. Robert FitzPatrick co-founded and serves as president of Pyramid Scheme Alert, the first international organization to expose and prevent pyramid scheme fraud. He personally responds to hundreds of consumer and news media inquiries each year. He has served as consultant and expert witness for Attorney General or State Attorney offices in four states, the US Dept. of Justice, and in numerous cases involving distributor fraud and pyramid schemes. Robert FitzPatrick is not an investor in multi-level marketing companies. He has never owned and never plans to own stocks of multi-level marketing companies. He has never been compensated based on any stock's performance. He does not offer investment advice and he is not an attorney.

Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it. I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Additional disclosure: This article is for educational purposes only. It discusses fundamentals of the "direct selling" business model and the evolution of "multi-level marketing."

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Avon's stock value fell from over $30 to just over $3, and the company eventually split off its faltering North American business and sold it to a Korean company.

Tupperware's stock value has also dropped over 90% in the last 5 years, and the company has been warning investors about its financial situation.

Some experts argue that the MLM business model is not sustainable and is essentially a pyramid scheme, where the people at the top of the pyramid make the most money, while those at the bottom lose out.

Overall, the MLM business model has been experiencing a mix of surge and fall in profits in recent years, depending on the company and its ability to adapt to changing market trends.


The multi-level marketing (MLM) business model has been a subject of interest in recent years, with various companies experiencing a surge or a fall in profits.

The MLM model has been criticized for its resemblance to pyramid schemes, where the main source of revenue comes from recruiting new members rather than selling products to end-users.

Despite this, some companies have managed to thrive using this model, such as Educational Development Corp., which has seen significant growth in recent years.

The company, which is the exclusive US co-publisher of educational children's books produced by Usborne Publishing, has a strong value proposition and fair valuation, making it an attractive investment opportunity.

However, other companies, such as Avon and Tupperware, have struggled to adapt to the changing market landscape and have seen a decline in their sales and revenue.

Avon, which was once a leading direct selling company, has shifted its focus to incentivizing salespeople to recruit more salespeople, rather than focusing on selling products to end-users.

This shift has led to a decline in the company's stock value, which has fallen from over $30 to just over $3.

Tupperware, another well-known direct selling company, has also struggled to adapt to the changing market and has seen a significant decline in its stock value, which has dropped over 90% in the last five years.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the MLM industry, with some companies experiencing a surge in sales and revenue.

For example, Nu Skin Enterprises, a leading MLM company, saw its stock price triple in value from March 2020 to June 2021, as people turned to online sales and entrepreneurship as a way to make ends meet during the pandemic.

However, the company's success was short-lived, and its stock price has since declined as the pandemic has subsided.

Other companies, such as Lightyear Strategies, a marketing firm, have also seen a shift in their business model during the pandemic, with a focus on digital transformation and online sales.

The company's CEO, Nima Olumi, noted that the pandemic had forced businesses to adapt and innovate, and that his company had seen significant growth as a result.

In terms of trends, the MLM industry has seen a shift towards online sales and digital marketing, with many companies investing in social media and e-commerce platforms.

Laqshya Media Group, a leading outdoor advertising company, has noted that the industry is expected to see growth over pre-pandemic levels, driven by the increasing demand for digital advertising.

However, the industry has also faced challenges, such as the rise of fake news and misinformation, which has led to increased scrutiny and regulation.

Some companies, such as Salesforce, have spoken out in favor of regulation, noting that it is necessary to ensure the integrity of the industry.

In conclusion, the MLM industry has experienced significant changes in recent years, with some companies experiencing a surge in sales and revenue, while others have struggled to adapt to the changing market landscape.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the industry, with a shift towards online sales and digital marketing.

However, the industry has also faced challenges, such as increased scrutiny and regulation, and companies must be careful to ensure that they are operating in a compliant and ethical manner.

Overall, the MLM industry is complex and multifaceted, and companies must be adaptable and innovative in order to succeed.

The future of the industry is uncertain, but one thing is clear: companies that are able to adapt to the changing market landscape and prioritize ethics and compliance will be best positioned for success.

The use of technology, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, will also be crucial for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve.

As the industry continues to evolve, it will be important for companies to prioritize transparency and accountability, and to ensure that they are operating in a way that is fair and equitable for all stakeholders.

Ultimately, the success of the MLM industry will depend on its ability to adapt to the changing market landscape and to prioritize ethics and compliance.

The industry must also be careful to avoid the pitfalls of pyramid schemes and other unethical business practices.

By prioritizing transparency, accountability, and ethics, companies in the MLM industry can build trust with their customers and stakeholders, and achieve long-term success.

The importance of having a strong value proposition and fair valuation cannot be overstated, as it is crucial for attracting and retaining customers and investors.

In the end, the MLM industry has the potential to be a powerful tool for entrepreneurship and economic growth, but it must be approached with caution and careful consideration.

The industry's reputation has been tarnished by the actions of a few bad actors, and it will take time and effort to rebuild trust and credibility.

However, with the right approach and a commitment to ethics and compliance, the MLM industry can thrive and provide opportunities for people around the world.

The use of data and analytics will also be crucial for companies in the MLM industry, as it will allow them to make informed decisions and optimize their operations.

The industry must also be careful to avoid the risks associated with over-reliance on technology, such as the potential for bias and discrimination.

By prioritizing transparency, accountability, and ethics, and by using data and analytics in a responsible and informed way, companies in the MLM industry can achieve long-term success and build trust with their customers and stakeholders.

The future of the MLM industry is uncertain, but one thing is clear: companies that are able to adapt to the changing market landscape and prioritize ethics and compliance will be best positioned for success.

The industry must continue to evolve and innovate, and to prioritize the needs and concerns of its customers and stakeholders.

By doing so, the MLM industry can thrive and provide opportunities for people around the world, while also maintaining a commitment to ethics and compliance.

The importance of having a strong and experienced management team cannot be overstated, as it is crucial for making informed decisions and navigating the complexities of the industry.

The industry must also be careful to avoid the risks associated with over-expansion and aggressive growth, as these can lead to instability and reputational damage.

By prioritizing caution and careful consideration, and by focusing on long-term sustainability and growth, companies in the MLM industry can achieve success and build trust with their customers and stakeholders.

The use of social media and other digital platforms will also be crucial for companies in the MLM industry, as it will allow them to reach and engage with their customers and stakeholders.

The industry must be careful to avoid the risks associated with social media, such as the potential for misinformation and reputational damage.

By prioritizing transparency and accountability, and by using social media in a responsible and informed way, companies in the MLM industry can build trust with their customers and stakeholders.

The future of the MLM industry is uncertain, but one thing is clear: companies that are able to adapt to the changing market landscape and prioritize ethics and compliance will be best positioned for success.

The industry must continue to evolve and innovate, and to prioritize the needs and concerns of its customers and stakeholders.

By doing so, the MLM industry can thrive and provide opportunities for people around the world, while also maintaining a commitment to ethics and compliance.

The importance of having a strong and experienced management team, and a commitment to transparency and accountability, cannot be overstated, as these are crucial for achieving long-term success and building trust with customers and stakeholders.

The industry's reputation has been tarnished by the actions of a few bad actors, and it will take time and effort to rebuild trust and credibility.

However, with the right approach and a commitment to ethics and compliance, the MLM industry can thrive and provide opportunities for people around the world.

The use of technology, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, will also be crucial for companies in the MLM industry, as it will allow them to make informed decisions and optimize their operations.

The industry must also be careful to avoid the risks associated with over-reliance on technology, such as the potential for bias and discrimination.

By prioritizing transparency, accountability, and ethics, and by using data and analytics in a responsible and informed way, companies in the MLM industry can achieve long-term success and build trust with their customers and stakeholders.

The future of the MLM industry is uncertain, but one thing is clear: companies that are able to adapt to the changing market landscape and prioritize ethics and compliance will be best positioned for success.

The industry must continue to evolve and innovate, and to prioritize the needs and concerns of its customers and stakeholders.

By doing so, the MLM industry can thrive and provide opportunities for people around the world, while also maintaining a commitment to ethics and compliance.

The importance of having a strong value proposition and fair valuation cannot be overstated, as it is crucial for attracting and retaining customers and investors.

In the end, the MLM industry has the potential to be a powerful tool for entrepreneurship and economic growth, but it must be approached with caution and careful consideration.

The industry's reputation has been tarnished by the actions of a few bad actors, and it will take time and effort to rebuild trust and credibility.

However, with the right approach and a commitment to ethics and compliance, the ML

The multi-level marketing (MLM) business model has been a subject of interest in recent years, with various companies experiencing a surge or a fall in profits.

The multi-level marketing (MLM) business model has been a subject of interest in recent years, with various companies experiencing a surge or a fall in profits.

The multi-level marketing (MLM) business model has been a subject of interest in recent years, with various companies experiencing a surge or a fall in profits.

The MLM model has been criticized for its resemblance to pyramid schemes, where the main source of revenue comes from recruiting new members rather than selling products to end-users.

Title:

Content: 'Direct Selling' - Avon, Tupperware - Is Extinct

Nov. 18, 2022 11:25 AM ETHLF, MED, NTCO, NUS, PRI, TUP, USNA3 Comments
Robert FitzPatrick
394 Followers

Summary

  • Direct Selling became obsolete generations ago. So how is it that millions today get recruited for "income opportunity" in "direct selling" and billions are traded on "direct selling" stocks?
  • Avon and Tupperware are cited by "multi-level marketing," or MLM, promoters as "proof" that MLM, e.g., Amway, Herbalife, is "direct selling."
  • Usable data on actual income and churn rates of MLM "direct sellers," market saturation, and retail sales to actual customers are not provided.
  • In fact, Avon and Tupperware for years have been walking dinosaurs, still trying to do "person-to-person" sales to end-users with commodity products, while MLMs hype "unlimited" income.
  • The shrunken and devolved state of Avon and Tupperware today reveals that direct selling is extinct. MLM is not, and never was, direct selling.

It is generally accepted that "direct selling" was killed off generations ago by mass merchandising, big box stores, mail-order and then the internet, among other societal changes. The "Fuller Brush man" is long gone. No one's at home. No one wants or needs or has time for a "personal" salesperson. Everything's in stores or online. And, even when "direct selling" still lived, no one ever went into that tough line of work thinking they would get rich from it.

Yet, each year, millions are recruited, and pay thousands, for the "opportunity" to work as "direct sellers," with promises and expectations of "unlimited" income. The number involved today is many, many times greater than ever worked in that "extinct" field decades ago. Billions are being traded on Wall Street for shares of "direct selling" companies. How can this be?

In my book, Ponzinomics, the Untold Story of Multi-Level Marketing, I document the death of "direct selling" and the 1945 invention of "multi-level marketing," or MLM. I describe how "MLM" falsely assumed direct selling's revered old identity. I trace MLM from its Adam, a little California-based company called "Nutrilite," to today's "industry" led by Amway, Herbalife (HLF) down 64% YTD, Nuskin (NUS) down 31%, USANA Health Sciences (USNA) down 49%, Primerica, Inc. (PRI) down 13%, and Medifast (MED) down 45%. MLM's financial solicitations for consumers to become "direct sellers" have reached into – and led to losses for – virtually every household in America.

In the newly invented "MLM," the main source of revenue shifted from end-user customers to the salespeople themselves who are incentivized to "be their own customer" by buying their own products. Obviously, no one makes money purchasing their own inventory, but MLM offered a unique reason to do so – "unlimited" income potential.

No More Need to Knock on Doors

All MLM "direct sellers" can potentially gain "unlimited" income by recruiting an "endless" chain of other "direct sellers." No need to pound the pavement and get rudely rejected at front doors any more. Each "direct seller" on the chain has to meet a quota to "qualify" for future rewards from their recruits who, in turn, are their "own customers" and recruiters too, ad infinitum. The chain can grow without continuous personal effort. The qualifying quota can usually be met by just making a personal monthly purchase of inventory. "Commissions" on all these transactions, all the way down to the "last ones in," flow up the chain. In the MLM pay plan, most of the total commissions go to the top 1%. So, all new "direct sellers" try mightily to recruit (and buy) their way to those top ranks. Of course, only a tiny few can ever be at the top.

Some people argued this is a pyramid recruiting scheme, inherently unfair and deceptive, and a counterfeit of direct selling. In the design and the pay plan, bottom ranks – the vast majority – will inevitably lose. They said constantly adding salespeople in any area destroys profitable retail selling potential, if any exists to start with. They cited data on 90-99% loss rates and huge churn rates among new "recruits" and asked, where are the retail "customers"?

While offering no data on retail customers or salespeople losses or market saturation, MLM promoters offered "proof" that MLM is direct selling by pointing to two long-established and respected direct selling companies in their ranks, Avon and Tupperware (TUP). Both companies were members of the Direct Selling Association, DSA, and both were "direct selling" icons, Avon for its "ladies" and Tupperware for its "parties." To any pyramid scheme accusations, MLM promoters indignantly countered: "Are you calling Avon and Tupperware pyramid schemes?"

Walking Dinosaurs

The truth for both companies is very different from the MLM-spin. Avon and Tupperware used to have differentiated products and real consumer demand. Their salespeople made money from their own retail sales. But moving into the 21st Century, Avon and Tupperware became walking dinosaurs, vestiges of the extinct era of "direct selling." They were still trying to base their businesses on their historical brands and on person-to-person retail sales to real customers, as direct selling companies always used to do.

Despite MLM's citing Avon and Tupperware, and thereby bestowing legitimacy on the "MLM" members of the Direct Selling Association, deep differences between those icons of the old era and MLM burst into public view in 2013-14. The two companies publicly quit the Direct Selling Association, charging ethics violations and DSA-member connections to pyramid schemes.

Avon's Long Good-Bye

Avon had been a true direct seller for decades before MLM was invented. But as the door-to-door model faded, Avon began a long decline. In 2000, Avon began shifting its focus to "incentivizing" salespeople to recruit more salespeople and getting them to buy inventory, MLM-style. In 2009, during the Great Recession, Avon ran its most expensive ad in history, on television during the Super Bowl. The ad never mentioned any Avon products! It only solicited "salespeople." Still, global revenue dropped continuously over the next 10 years. Avon stock value fell from over $30 to just over $3.

Finally, Avon split off its faltering North American business and sold it to the Korean company, LG Household & Health Care. Avon claimed to have 250,000 sales representatives in North America. The remaining global business was later sold to the Brazilian MLM, Natura (NTCO) down 50% YTD, which also owns the retailer, Body Shop. Though Avon global was much larger, Avon shareholders traded 3 shares of Avon for just one in Natura.

The Korean-owned segment of Avon in North America is now classic MLM, selling the proverbial MLM "income opportunity" along with "health" supplements, make-up, jewelry, clothing, scented candles, even toothpaste.

On the Canadian Avon website, Avon promotes the "income opportunity," urging prospects in large bold black type: "Think big. Sell Avon part-time, full-time, you decide how much! It’s your business, your way!"

A disclosure (legally required in Canada, but not in the USA) appears midway down a long webpage in tiny, barely visible gray lettering: "The 2020 earnings of a typical Avon Leadership Representative was between $0 and $2,620 in commissions and bonuses." That's $0 to $50 a week, before subtracting all costs! And the "disclosure" does not break out how much of that tiny return comes from personal sales or the "downline."

Avon quietly rejoined the Direct Selling Association. The Brazilian company, Natura, which took over Avon's global business in 2020, has lost over 60% of its stock value in the last year.

Tupperware on the Brink

Tupperware was one of the first "party plan" companies, which are technically a small subset of MLM. They employ an "endless" recruiting chain, but are more rooted in retail sales transacted at "parties." Tupperware used to have a popular brand with innovative, differentiated products. But, as true direct selling began to disappear, Tupperware went into decline. It added MLM-type "health and beauty" commodities to bolster recruiting appeal but then deleted them. This year, it began also selling its products in Target department stores. Its kitchen-related goods are generally not distinct from other brands. A 10-months "Income disclosure" for Canada (not published in the USA) showed that half the "party planners" were classified "inactive," earning less than $30 for the period on average. 94% of the "active" ones reportedly received about $12 a week on average, before expenses.

In the last 5 years, the stock value of Tupperware has dropped over 90%. Its latest financials warned investors the company may violate loan agreements, setting off speculation Tupperware might declare bankruptcy.

The shrunken and devolved state of Avon and Tupperware, the most famous brand-icons of "direct selling," makes citing them as a defense of "multi-level marketing" as extinct as their old business model.

This article was written by

394 Followers
Robert L. FitzPatrick is the author of the new book, Ponzinomics, the Untold Story of Multi-Level Marketing (2020),the first comprehensive history and analysis of the "MLM" phenomenon, addressing its political influence, propaganda techniques and use of cult persuasion. FitzPatrick is an expert in examining and revealing deception and fraud in Ponzi schemes, pyramid schemes and bogus home-based businesses. He served as expert or consultant in more than 30 court cases involving pyramid schemes and multi-level marketing. He is co-author of False Profits (1997), an examination of the values and beliefs that support the delusions of pyramid schemes. He was featured on NBC Dateline, ABC World News, and CBS 60 Minutes, the documentary film, Betting on Zero and the podcast, The Dream.He has been quoted in many newspapers around the world, including the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. His booklet, Pyramid Nation, has been translated to Chinese and used by government regulators in writing China's first laws on pyramid schemes. His booklet, "The 10 Big Lies of Multi-Level Marketing", has been translated into four languages and posted on numerous websites. His White Paper, "The Main Street Bubble", which details the extensive influence-buying of the direct selling industry was featured in a CNBC Documentary, Selling the American Dream. In 2005, he delivered a seminar to in Colombo, Sri Lanka to central banking representatives from that country as well as India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives and Nepal. Robert FitzPatrick has developed informational resources for consumers, journalists, academics and regulators including a multi-media PowerPoint presentation and a statistical analysis of the losses suffered by participants in pyramid selling schemes. He also published a widely read booklet on the landmark federal case brought against the Amway Corporation. He is a expert network member of GLG Research, and Coleman Research Group, as well as other networks of experts who are referred to clients for consultation, speaking and report writing. In this capacity, he has provided expert consultation to financial many analysts who sought information about multi-level marketing companies and pyramid and Ponzi schemes. Robert FitzPatrick co-founded and serves as president of Pyramid Scheme Alert, the first international organization to expose and prevent pyramid scheme fraud. He personally responds to hundreds of consumer and news media inquiries each year. He has served as consultant and expert witness for Attorney General or State Attorney offices in four states, the US Dept. of Justice, and in numerous cases involving distributor fraud and pyramid schemes. Robert FitzPatrick is not an investor in multi-level marketing companies. He has never owned and never plans to own stocks of multi-level marketing companies. He has never been compensated based on any stock's performance. He does not offer investment advice and he is not an attorney.

Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it. I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Additional disclosure: This article is for educational purposes only. It discusses fundamentals of the "direct selling" business model and the evolution of "multi-level marketing."

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Despite this, some companies have managed to thrive using this model, such as Educational Development Corp., which has seen significant growth in recent years.

Title:

Content: Educational Development Corp.: Growth Risk Might Be Overblown

Moat Investing
1.46K Followers

Summary

  • EDUC is the exclusive US co-publisher of educational children's books produced by famous Usborne Publishing by leveraging multilevel marketing (MLM) strategy.
  • It has strong fundamentals, fair valuation, and a compelling growth story that is being ignored by the market.
  • We arrived at a target price of $12.4 to $14.6 without incorporating any future growth and expansion in operating margins.

Investment Idea

Educational Development Corporation (NASDAQ:EDUC) has an attractive value proposition, strong financials, and optionality of significant growth ahead due to structural changes caused by COVID. On top of that, the valuation is reasonable, and management has skin in the game (owns 23% of shares outstanding). For these reasons, we remain bullish.

Business Overview

EDUC is the exclusive US co-publisher of educational children's books produced in the UK by Usborne Publishing, and EDUC also exclusively publishes books through their ownership of Kane Miller.

The business operates in two segments:

Home Business Division (Usborne Books & More or "UBAM") -(95% of revenues) - This segment sells books through consultants directly to consumers using a multilevel marketing model (MLM). Consultants sell books by hosting home parties, social media, and hosting book fairs with schools and public libraries.

Publishing Division – (5% of revenues) - Sells books to bookstores, toy stores, and other retail outlets.

If you would like to get the gist of our thesis, you can watch our YouTube video below.

Value Proposition

The children's books market is very competitive and fragmented. There are more than 135 publishers of children's books in the US. EDUC is competing with Scholastic and Pearson, which have extensive resources to run marketing campaigns and are well-positioned in both online and offline distribution channels. Although EDUC has a little moat, they have some strengths to their business model that will allow long-term value creation.

They have an exclusive and long-term relationship with Usborne. Therefore, clients of the Usborne in the US must acquire their books via EDUC. Also, there is a consensus that Usborne books are high quality and among the industry's best.

Their sales are a function of the number of active sales consultants. Commissions paid to consultants are a variable cost, and they are only paid when sales are made. Although this makes SG&A grow as the top line grows, since it's not a fixed cost to the business, it allows EDUC to achieve significant operating leverage. Also, it allows them to scale quickly and have flexibility.

Direct sales strategies like multilevel marketing are commonly referred to as pyramid and Ponzi schemes. However, the table below shows that it does work sustainably and increases revenue growth over the long run despite the negative press.

Source: S&P Capital IQ

Why might EDUC be mispriced?

There are multiple factors. Firstly, it's a micro-cap. This usually means there is limited analyst coverage, and due to the stock's illiquidity, there is low institutional interest. These factors, coupled with others, leave the company under the market radar despite its business is doing well and has promising perspectives.

Second, there is negative press around the MLM business models. The MLM model deployed by EDUC is vastly different from dodgy tactics used by other players. For example, many MLM models require the seller to purchase the inventory from the company before selling. However, this reduces the risk for the company and puts extra pressure on the seller, which can be left with expensive inventory that cannot be sold or returned. In the case of EDUC, there is no requirement to hold inventory.

Third, markets might be believing that the business's tailwinds are temporary due to COVID. Amidst Covid, schools were closed, and parents were working from home; this drove home-based learning and benefited EDUC. Additionally, unemployment rates soared, and many were left looking for work. This allowed EDUC almost to double its consultant count from 33 to 60 thousand. We believe the post-pandemic work from home trend will persist, supporting their sales. Furthermore, the active consultant might not fall back to the pre-pandemic level as these roles are usually part-time work which fits nicely with the trending gig economy.

The evidence speaks louder than words

There are also some clues from the management that revenue generated amidst pandemics might be sticky.

Management increased its dividend per share from $0.20 to $0.32. A dividend increase should be seen as a signal that a business is in solid financial shape and management is confident about its future.

Management increased capital expenditures to $4.15 million from $0.64 in 2020. This expenditure was primarily associated with equipment purchases to increase daily shipping capacity. These are some early signs that management is expecting positive growth going ahead. Additionally, this also improves their margins as amidst Covid they paid a premium for extra shifts.

EDUC has increased its inventory; the inventory build-up is approximately 60% of its total assets. This has been in anticipation of an increase in the sales, as it takes a four to six-month lead-time to have a title printed and delivered to them.

Source: Koyfin

Value Investing Approach: Asset Value

To calculate the actual asset value of the company, we tried to replicate the business from scratch. Therefore, below you will find the last reported balance sheet, where we have made some adjustments.

The value of the land recorded on books was $4.1 million. They own a 40-acre complex at 5402 South 122nd East Ave, Tulsa, with 400,000 square feet of office and warehouse space. They also own a facility located at 10302 East 55th Place, Tulsa, that has 105,000 square feet of usable space. According to our channel checks with realtors, the average price per square foot of their land lies between the range of $100 to $115. To remain conservative, we took the average price square feet to be $85. Therefore, we estimate the value of its land to be $42.9 million.

They also have a network of around 55,000 active consultants. To construct such a network from scratch is both costly and time-consuming. We estimate the replication cost of this network to be around $27.5 million ($500 per consultant). This is also roughly five months of sales commission cost incurred by EDUC in the fiscal year 2021.

The rest of the items are taken on book value.

Based on the above adjustment, we arrive at the total asset value of 106.7, and the fair value per share to be $12.4

Source: Moat Investing

Value Investing Approach: Earnings Power Value

This approach allows us to value EDUC without incorporating any growth. Here, we consider the business's historical figures (last five years) to get the normalized earnings and operating margin. To calculate the sustainable earnings, we smoothed out the company revenues for the previous five years to $131 million and then calculated the firm's average operating margin (6.5%) to arrive at the sustainable Operating Income of $8.5 million.

We add back the expenses typically spent on growth, and we estimate around 4.5% of sales is spent on growth marketing, i.e., promotion, advertisement, and discounts. Hence, we add this back as this expense is not required if the firm was not aiming to achieve growth.

We assume the normalized tax rate to be 26% and the estimated cost of equity at 9%. Therefore, we estimate Earning Power Value of the operating business to be $134 million. To that, we add the non-operational cash ($1.8 million), and we subtract long-term debt (10.8); we arrive at an implied market cap of $125.6 million or $14.6 price per share, with 12.3% upside potential, without incorporating any growth or expansion in operating margins.

Source: Moat Investing

Risks to Our Investment Case

  • Stringent regulation regarding MLM companies. For instance, the requirement to treat consultants as employees. This could have implication when it comes to taxation, wages paid and welfare concerns for workers. This could, in turn, shrink the bottom line or, worse, business model tatters.
  • The most straightforward risk is consultants quitting or switching to find other employment as the US economy improves. However, within our valuation model, we have smoothed the growth of revenue in the last five years, which is a function of l consultants recruited. Even if there is some mean reversion in terms of consultants working with EDUC due to the COVID base effect, our thesis would be less impacted.
  • As highlighted earlier EDUC’s inventory level is a significant portion of its asset. Whatever reason they become unsalable (i.e., change in taste or controversy in terms of published content) could impact our valuation.
  • Oil prices have increased significantly since last year (see below). Shipping costs are amongst the most significant component of its COGS; further rise in oil prices (consequently increasing shipping cost) could make it difficult for EDUC to remain profitable.

Source: Trading Economics

Conclusion

EDUC has an attractive value proposition, strong financials, and optionality of significant growth ahead due to structural changes caused by COVID. On top of that, the valuation is reasonable, management has skin in the game (owns 23% of shares outstanding), and investors are not even paying for any future growth at current prices. For these reasons, we remain bullish.

This article was written by

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We are a group of experienced investors that like to dig deeper into stocks to find growth stories at a reasonable price with strong economic moats. We also aim to conduct high-quality analysis by deep diving into valuations, key business drivers, risk/reward, and different future scenarios.
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Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

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The company, which is the exclusive US co-publisher of educational children's books produced by Usborne Publishing, has a strong value proposition and fair valuation, making it an attractive investment opportunity.

However, other companies, such as Avon and Tupperware, have struggled to adapt to the changing market landscape and have seen a decline in their sales and revenue.

Avon, which was once a leading direct selling company, has shifted its focus to incentivizing salespeople to recruit more salespeople, rather than focusing on selling products to end-users.

This shift has led to a decline in the company's stock value, which has fallen from over $30 to just over $3.

Tupperware, another well-known direct selling company, has also struggled to adapt to the changing market and has seen a significant decline in its stock value, which has dropped over 90% in the last five years.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the MLM industry, with some companies experiencing a surge in sales and revenue.

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Nu Skin’s Biggest Customer Base Is in China. Now It’s Accused of Spreading Covid.

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The Covid pandemic was good for the business of multilevel marketing firms like Nu Skin Enterprises, as furloughed workers tried to make ends meet by selling vitamins and skin creams from home. Salespeople swelled the bottom of Nu Skin’s marketing ranks, and its stock tripled in value from March 2020 to a June 2021 peak of $62, before sliding back to a recent $47.

Now Covid is a problem for the company in China, the nation where Nu Skin (ticker: NUS) gets its largest number of customers and more than 20% of its revenue. A...

For example, Nu Skin Enterprises, a leading MLM company, saw its stock price triple in value from March 2020 to June 2021, as people turned to online sales and entrepreneurship as a way to make ends meet during the pandemic.

However, the company's success was short-lived, and its stock price has since declined as the pandemic has subsided.

Other companies, such as Lightyear Strategies, a marketing firm, have also seen a shift in their business model during the pandemic, with a focus on digital transformation and online sales.

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Content: Skip to main content

For some Mass. businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed changes for the better

When disaster strikes, sometimes, innovation follows.

At Titcomb’s Bookshop in East Sandwich, it all started with the PPP loan. The store, attached to the Titcomb family’s 17th-century home, had been operating on the Cape for five decades when the pandemic swept in.

Demand for books soared as residents rallied around local businesses, but the shop’s mostly part-time staff — working from home during lockdown — was overwhelmed. So owner Vicky Titcomb took a chance, using some of the store’s federal Payroll Protection Program funds to bring on more full-time employees when the store reopened. Titcomb promoted a part-timer to take over from her as manager, and she has been a dynamo, coordinating virtual events and reaching out to local artisans to expand the store’s gift selection. She also oversaw new hires, one focused on expanding the toy selection, another on rare and antique books, and a third on social media.

In 2020, the shop had its best year ever. And 2021 was even better.

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“COVID changed everything at our store,” Titcomb said. “It made us a better business by far.”

The pandemic crushed many small companies, as health concerns, supply chain issues, and labor shortages converged. But some were able to adapt — and thrive. They upgraded technologies and expanded online offerings. They sought out new customers and jump-started new lines of business. Others, like Titcomb, saw an opportunity and ran with it.

The pandemic didn’t kill them, it made them stronger.

For nearly two years, there has been a “global scrambling” as companies try to stay afloat, said Sridhar Tayur, professor of operations management at Carnegie Mellon University. And this crisis mindset has sparked changes that could have a lasting impact. Businesses are tracking customers’ online orders in ways they never did for in-person sales, he said. Operations are being automated and simplified.

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“Necessity is the mother of invention,” he said. “I don’t think they’ve had this amount of necessity at least in the last 20 or 30 years.”

Lightyear Strategies, a marketing firm in Boston, witnessed the shift in its clients. At first, the mindset seemed to be, “the world’s ending ... let’s get rid of the marketing,” said chief executive Nima Olumi. But a few months later, clients realized they needed help adapting to a changed and largely virtual world.

A New York property management firm asked Lightyear to figure out how to e-mail thousands of residents about new sanitization measures. Boston hospitals wanted videos educating patients about safety protocols.

At the same time, Olumi realized he needed to narrow his focus rather than trying to be a jack-of-all-trades “yes man.” Today, his recurring monthly revenue is more than 10 times what it was in 2019.

“If you make hot dogs,” he said, “stick to making hot dogs.”

For other business owners, though, the pandemic was the right time to branch out. Runamok Maple in Fairfax, Vt., saw its online syrup sales skyrocket, while restaurant and hotel sales slumped. So the company decided to launch Sparkle Syrup, infused with edible pearlescent mica, to “bring a little bit of joy,” said co-owner Eric Sorkin. And it’s been a huge hit. “All the working dads out there were now at home, and what does a working dad know how to make?” he said. “They make breakfast.”

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At Copper Dog Books in Beverly, mastering online orders when nobody wanted to shop in person opened the door to shipping gift boxes, including a monthly subscription with two sci-fi novellas, a snack, and a small item such as a journal or key chain. Scenic Roots Garden Center in Sandwich launched a virtual landscape design business and started selling produce from a nearby farm. Both businesses have had record-breaking sales for the past two years.

Adopting new technologies has been a game-changer for many companies. In response to COVID restrictions, the owner of a nautical jewelry business in Washington state put scannable QR codes next to each necklace and bracelet in her window display, directing shoppers who couldn’t come inside to the items on her website. A business consultancy in Utah started digitizing operations when the world went online, including using artificial intelligence to help predict employee turnover, a major challenge during the pandemic. Financial services firms have turned to facial recognition technology from Bedford biometric software provider Aware to give mobile customers a more secure way to check their accounts.

Many companies have embarked on a “digital transformation” during the pandemic, said Mark Tina, vice president of sales for Verizon Business in the eastern US. New high-speed Internet-based services not only have more capabilities than older technologies, they are less expensive, he said, which is key for businesses struggling to survive.

When workers stopped going into their offices, Dependable Cleaners, based in Quincy, saw its business drop to a fraction of what it used to be, driving the dry cleaner to look for ways to become more efficient, said director of operations Carlyn Parker. It switched to a Verizon service that assigns one business number to ring on multiple mobile devices and desk phones, and it added a texting feature to its biweekly pickup-and-delivery service.

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Now, instead of visiting every home-delivery customer twice a week, the drivers only go where requested, allowing the company to add more customers without more drivers. Before Omicron drove companies to push back office reopening dates, Dependable Cleaners had climbed back to 80 percent of pre-pandemic levels.

“We’re in the fourth generation,” said Parker, whose grandparents started the company. “We’re here to stay.”

Finding new customers has also been a life-saver. When travel came to a halt in March of 2020, revenues dropped to “nearly zero” for LugLess, a Boston company that ships luggage for travelers. But it quickly started playing up the fact that using its services meant less human contact, said chief executive Aaron Kirley. No more waiting in line at the airport to check bags, no more gathering with the masses at the baggage carousel. The company also partnered with moving companies to reach the surge of digital nomads who could suddenly work wherever they wanted —and likely didn’t have room in their cars for all their stuff. And when people complained they could no longer print out shipping labels because they weren’t at work, LugLess developed digital labels.

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By the fall of 2020, business had tripled from its pre-pandemic high, then tripled again last year.

“It kind of forced us to open our eyes and look at new opportunities,” Kirley said.

Some of the new opportunities revealed during the pandemic aren’t just boosting revenues. They’re also saving lives.

Groups Recover Together, an addiction therapy provider based in Burlington, has almost doubled the number of people it serves around the country since it started offering virtual sessions. Before COVID, people battling opioid abuse had to attend group therapy in person due to the medication being provided, said chief executive Colleen Nicewicz.

But when that requirement was rescinded during the shutdown, Groups Recover Together started holding sessions over Zoom, and then through a new app. The organization now reaches more than 10,000 people a week, nearly a third of whom live in counties with no physical site. Opioid addiction is rampant in rural areas, Nicewicz said; in one Indiana county with a population of just 10,000, Groups Recover is serving one out of every 200 residents, even without a clinic.

Crucially, data show that virtual group therapy is just as effective at keeping people off drugs as in-person sessions, she said. At a time when the opioid epidemic is worse than ever — overdose deaths rose nearly 29 percent in the 12 months ending in April 2021 compared to the year before — reaching more people is critical, said Nicewicz, who is hopeful virtual therapy will become a permanent offering.

“We really met an unmet need,” she said.

Katie Johnston can be reached at katie.johnston@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @ktkjohnston.

The company's CEO, Nima Olumi, noted that the pandemic had forced businesses to adapt and innovate, and that his company had seen significant growth as a result.

In terms of trends, the MLM industry has seen a shift towards online sales and digital marketing, with many companies investing in social media and e-commerce platforms.

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Content: Companies

Outdoor advertising sector to see growth over pre-pandemic levels: Laqshya Media

Meenakshi Verma Ambwani | Updated on: May 01, 2022

Atul Shrivastava, Group CEO and ED, Laqshya Media Group

Firm sees a revival in brands’ spending on billboards; aims to focus more on technology-led innovations

Leading outdoor advertising company Laqshya Media Group said ad spends by brands on billboards have seen a strong revival post the third pandemic wave and the industry is expected to see growth over pre-pandemic levels. The company, which completed 25 years since inception, said it is betting big on technology innovations for future growth.

Talking about the industry growth, Atul Shrivastava, Group CEO and ED, Laqshya Media Group, said, “The outdoor advertising segment (out of home) was estimated at ₹5,000 crore in 2019. The industry saw a decline in revenues by almost 50 per cent due to the impact of the pandemic. But since March, we are seeing brand spends grow again on billboards. We believe the industry will not only get back to the pre-pandemic levels but see growth over pre-pandemic levels in this fiscal.”

Laqshya Media Group raked in revenues of about ₹500 crore in 2019. “We believe that in this fiscal year we will see a growth of 15-20 per cent over pre-pandemic levels. We began witnessing a revival in March post the third pandemic wave and April is also looking promising with consumer mobility back in full swing,” he added.

Areas of focus

The company said it is focusing sharply on technology-led innovations as well as offering data to brands in terms of reach for their outdoor ad campaigns. “Technological innovations will be a key pillar of future growth for us and we have launched a division called Inventec. It has created 10-12 technology-based innovations which we are offering to our clients now,” he added.

Recently, the company installed a hyper-realistic and immersive 3D Anamorphic installation for Tanishq in Mumbai, which is one of the first of its kind digital out-of-home billboards commonly seen in markets such as US, UK, South Korea, among others.

“One of the key challenges in the past has been the lack of data in terms of consumer reach for brands for outdoor ad campaigns. We have developed a tool that offers brands gross reach and net reach of their OOH campaigns. In addition, we also have set up our digital and experiential marketing verticals. Some of these new divisions will be key for future growth,” Shrivastav said.

While the top cities contribute a larger chunk of the revenues for the OOH advertising segment, the tier-1 and tier-2 markets are seeing a surge in terms of ad rates and spends. “With the development of highways and airports, we expect to see strong growth for the outdoor advertising segment to also come from tier-1 and tier-2 markets. In addition, brand spends are also growing in rural regions on billboards,” he added.

Published on May 01, 2022
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Laqshya Media Group, a leading outdoor advertising company, has noted that the industry is expected to see growth over pre-pandemic levels, driven by the increasing demand for digital advertising.

However, the industry has also faced challenges, such as the rise of fake news and misinformation, which has led to increased scrutiny and regulation.

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Content: Application Testing Services Market Trends, Market Size, and Potential

In today’s digital landscape, where software applications are the backbone of business operations, ensuring their functionality, security, and reliability is paramount. This has led to the rapid growth of the Application Testing Services market. As businesses strive to deliver seamless user experiences and stay ahead in the competitive market, let’s delve into the latest trends, market size, and the vast potential within this dynamic industry.

Current Trends in Application Testing Services:

  1. Shift Towards Agile and DevOps: The adoption of Agile and DevOps methodologies has become mainstream in software development. This has transformed the way testing is performed, requiring more frequent, automated, and comprehensive testing cycles to keep up with the faster development pace.
  2. Focus on Continuous Testing: Continuous Testing is gaining prominence as organizations integrate testing into every phase of the software development lifecycle. This approach enhances quality and helps identify and fix issues early, reducing the risk of defects reaching production.
  3. AI and Machine Learning in Testing: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are revolutionizing testing practices. They assist in test case generation, predictive analysis of potential defects, and even autonomous testing. AI-driven testing enables greater accuracy, efficiency, and the ability to handle complex scenarios.
  4. IoT and Mobile Testing: With the proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and the continued dominance of mobile applications, specialized testing for these platforms has become essential. Ensuring compatibility, performance, and security across diverse devices is a critical focus.
  5. Security Testing in the Spotlight: Cybersecurity breaches and data leaks have pushed security testing to the forefront. Organizations are investing heavily in testing services that assess vulnerabilities, penetration testing, and compliance with industry regulations.
  6. Shift-Left Testing: The concept of “Shift-Left” testing emphasizes conducting tests earlier in the development process. This minimizes the cost and effort required to fix defects found later, resulting in higher software quality and shorter release cycles.

Market Size and Growth: The Application Testing Services market has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, driven by the increasing demand for high-quality applications. The market size is projected to continue expanding due to the following factors:

  1. Digital Transformation Initiatives: As businesses digitize their operations, the need for robust, user-friendly, and secure applications has surged. This has led to a substantial rise in demand for testing services.
  2. Globalization of Businesses: Companies are catering to a global audience, necessitating thorough testing to ensure applications perform flawlessly across various regions, languages, and cultural contexts.
  3. Evolving Technologies: Emerging technologies such as 5G, AI, IoT, and cloud computing require specialized testing to ensure seamless integration and optimal performance, further driving market growth.
  4. Outsourcing and Specialization: Many organizations are outsourcing their testing needs to specialized service providers. This trend allows businesses to tap into expertise, reduce costs, and focus on core competencies.

Market Potential and Future Outlook: The Application Testing Services market holds immense potential for growth. As technology continues to advance and customer expectations evolve, testing will remain a crucial aspect of software development. Key areas of focus for the future include:

  1. Automation Maturity: The industry is likely to witness increased automation maturity, with AI and ML-powered tools becoming more sophisticated, enabling organizations to automate complex testing scenarios.
  2. Incorporating Ethical AI: As AI-driven testing becomes more prominent, ethical considerations around AI bias, fairness, and accountability will become vital, shaping the future of AI-powered testing.
  3. IoT and Edge Testing: With the expansion of IoT and edge computing, the demand for specialized testing services for these environments will rise, ensuring reliability and security in highly distributed systems.
  4. Enhanced Security Measures: With the growing threat landscape, security testing will continue to evolve, focusing on proactive measures to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities effectively.

The Application Testing Services market is at the forefront of delivering high-quality, secure, and reliable software applications. As technology continues to evolve and businesses adapt to the changing landscape, the market’s growth potential remains substantial. By embracing trends such as automation, AI-driven testing, and security enhancements, organizations can position themselves to deliver exceptional user experiences and stay competitive in the ever-expanding digital world.

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Some companies, such as Salesforce, have spoken out in favor of regulation, noting that it is necessary to ensure the integrity of the industry.

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Content: Gartner outlines the top trends in machine learning and data science, including the impact of generative AI.

Investors will pour more than $10 billion into AI startups that use foundation models, tech consultancy Gartner found in its August report on top trends in data science and machine learning. In particular, business leaders are interested in edge and data-centric generative AI, plus using generative AI responsibly.

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Cloud-native solutions take over from self-contained software

By 2024, 50% of new system deployments in the cloud will reside entirely within a cloud data ecosystem as opposed to manually integrated point solutions, Gartner predicted. Organizations should look out for converged data and analytics platforms that can solve problems over a wide swath of distributed data. That means businesses will continue to see more cloud-native solutions as opposed to self-contained software or blended deployments.

SEE: Explore the best data science tools for any use case (TechRepublic)

Edge and AI will move analysis toward IoT endpoints

“As machine learning adoption continues to grow rapidly across industries, DSML [data science and machine learning] is evolving from just focusing on predictive models toward a more democratized, dynamic and data-centric discipline,” said Peter Krensky, director analyst at Gartner, at the Gartner Data & Analytics Summit on August 1, as quoted in a press release. “This is now also fueled by the fervor around generative AI. While potential risks are emerging, so too are the many new capabilities and use cases for data scientists and their organizations.”

Businesses are keeping an eye on how AI training and inferencing can help transition data analytics to edge environments near IoT endpoints.

More than 55% of all data analysis by deep neural networks (which generative AI is based on) will occur at the point on the edge where the data is captured by 2025, Gartner said. That’s a large jump from the 10% that occurred in 2021, and speaks to the massive increase in AI adoption since the beginning of 2023.

Cloud and edge computing saw a $84 billion equity investment in 2022, McKinsey found in its 2023 tech trends report.

Data-centric AI can include training on synthetic data

Data-centric AI performs tasks such as AI-specific data management, synthetic data and data labeling to solve problems in accessibility, volume, privacy, security, complexity and scope.

Generative AI can also be used to create synthetic data with which to train other applications. Use cases such as simulating real conditions, predicting future scenarios and removing some risk from AI will boost the amount of synthetic data in industry to 60% by 2024, Gartner predicts. That’s up from just 1% in 2021, likely driven again by the commercialization of generative AI in late 2022 and early 2023.

Responsible AI follows the trend toward regulation

Responsible AI is a philosophy that takes into account business and societal value, risk, trust, transparency and accountability, in regards to generative AI. Gartner pointed out that “The concentration of pretrained AI models among 1% of AI vendors by 2025 will make responsible AI a societal concern” – meaning that a problem in one model could rapidly spread across a massive number of clients. Concerns include generative AI introducing factual mistakes into content — accidentally because of hallucinations or on purpose as part of a planned misinformation campaign. People are also concerned about AI introducing bias into content or plagiarizing copyrighted work.

Some organizations, including Salesforce, support recent conversations about government regulation on generative AI.

“Salesforce supports tailored, risk-based AI regulation that differentiates contexts and uses of the technology and ensures the protection of individuals, builds trust, and encourages innovation,” Salesforce’s executive vice president of government affairs, Eric Loeb wrote in a blog post in July.

AI investment continues to rise

Overall, Gartner found that more than $10 billion will have been invested in AI startups that rely on foundation models by 2026. More organizations will implement AI solutions, and more industries will take AI technologies and AI-based businesses into account.

In a pool of 2,500 executive leaders in May, Gartner found that 45% said the hype around ChatGPT spurred them to put more money into generative AI. Most (70%) of those organizations are still exploring their options, while 19% have a pilot program or have put use of generative AI into production.

In conclusion, the MLM industry has experienced significant changes in recent years, with some companies experiencing a surge in sales and revenue, while others have struggled to adapt to the changing market landscape.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the industry, with a shift towards online sales and digital marketing.

However, the industry has also faced challenges, such as increased scrutiny and regulation, and companies must be careful to ensure that they are operating in a compliant and ethical manner.

Overall, the MLM industry is complex and multifaceted, and companies must be adaptable and innovative in order to succeed.

The future of the industry is uncertain, but one thing is clear: companies that are able to adapt to the changing market landscape and prioritize ethics and compliance will be best positioned for success.

The use of technology, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, will also be crucial for companies looking to stay ahead of the curve.

As the industry continues to evolve, it will be important for companies to prioritize transparency and accountability, and to ensure that they are operating in a way that is fair and equitable for all stakeholders.

Ultimately, the success of the MLM industry will depend on its ability to adapt to the changing market landscape and to prioritize ethics and compliance.

The industry must also be careful to avoid the pitfalls of pyramid schemes and other unethical business practices.

By prioritizing transparency, accountability, and ethics, companies in the MLM industry can build trust with their customers and stakeholders, and achieve long-term success.

The importance of having a strong value proposition and fair valuation cannot be overstated, as it is crucial for attracting and retaining customers and investors.

In the end, the MLM industry has the potential to be a powerful tool for entrepreneurship and economic growth, but it must be approached with caution and careful consideration.

The industry's reputation has been tarnished by the actions of a few bad actors, and it will take time and effort to rebuild trust and credibility.

However, with the right approach and a commitment to ethics and compliance, the MLM industry can thrive and provide opportunities for people around the world.

The use of data and analytics will also be crucial for companies in the MLM industry, as it will allow them to make informed decisions and optimize their operations.

The industry must also be careful to avoid the risks associated with over-reliance on technology, such as the potential for bias and discrimination.

By prioritizing transparency, accountability, and ethics, and by using data and analytics in a responsible and informed way, companies in the MLM industry can achieve long-term success and build trust with their customers and stakeholders.

The future of the MLM industry is uncertain, but one thing is clear: companies that are able to adapt to the changing market landscape and prioritize ethics and compliance will be best positioned for success.

The industry must continue to evolve and innovate, and to prioritize the needs and concerns of its customers and stakeholders.

By doing so, the MLM industry can thrive and provide opportunities for people around the world, while also maintaining a commitment to ethics and compliance.

The importance of having a strong and experienced management team cannot be overstated, as it is crucial for making informed decisions and navigating the complexities of the industry.

The industry must also be careful to avoid the risks associated with over-expansion and aggressive growth, as these can lead to instability and reputational damage.

By prioritizing caution and careful consideration, and by focusing on long-term sustainability and growth, companies in the MLM industry can achieve success and build trust with their customers and stakeholders.

The use of social media and other digital platforms will also be crucial for companies in the MLM industry, as it will allow them to reach and engage with their customers and stakeholders.

The industry must be careful to avoid the risks associated with social media, such as the potential for misinformation and reputational damage.

By prioritizing transparency and accountability, and by using social media in a responsible and informed way, companies in the MLM industry can build trust with their customers and stakeholders.

The future of the MLM industry is uncertain, but one thing is clear: companies that are able to adapt to the changing market landscape and prioritize ethics and compliance will be best positioned for success.

The industry must continue to evolve and innovate, and to prioritize the needs and concerns of its customers and stakeholders.

By doing so, the MLM industry can thrive and provide opportunities for people around the world, while also maintaining a commitment to ethics and compliance.

The importance of having a strong and experienced management team, and a commitment to transparency and accountability, cannot be overstated, as these are crucial for achieving long-term success and building trust with customers and stakeholders.

The industry's reputation has been tarnished by the actions of a few bad actors, and it will take time and effort to rebuild trust and credibility.

However, with the right approach and a commitment to ethics and compliance, the MLM industry can thrive and provide opportunities for people around the world.

The use of technology, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, will also be crucial for companies in the MLM industry, as it will allow them to make informed decisions and optimize their operations.

The industry must also be careful to avoid the risks associated with over-reliance on technology, such as the potential for bias and discrimination.

The future of the MLM industry is uncertain, but one thing is clear: companies that are able to adapt to the changing market landscape and prioritize ethics and compliance will be best positioned for success.

The industry must continue to evolve and innovate, and to prioritize the needs and concerns of its customers and stakeholders.

By doing so, the MLM industry can thrive and provide opportunities for people around the world, while also maintaining a commitment to ethics and compliance.

The importance of having a strong value proposition and fair valuation cannot be overstated, as it is crucial for attracting and retaining customers and investors.

In the end, the MLM industry has the potential to be a powerful tool for entrepreneurship and economic growth, but it must be approached with caution and careful consideration.

The industry's reputation has been tarnished by the actions of a few bad actors, and it will take time and effort to rebuild trust and credibility.

However, with the right approach and a commitment to ethics and compliance, the ML


Lionel Messi is widely considered the number one football player in the world due to his exceptional career achievements and playing style.

He has won numerous individual awards, including a record-breaking seven FIFA Ballon d'Or awards, and has led his teams to multiple domestic and international titles, including ten La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League titles.

Messi's playing style is characterized by his exceptional dribbling ability, close ball control, and lightning-fast speed, which allows him to change direction quickly and leave defenders in his wake.

His influence on the sport is undeniable, with many considering him one of the greatest players of all time, and his skills and records are often compared to those of other top footballers, such as Cristiano Ronaldo.

In fact, Messi has surpassed Ronaldo's goalscoring record, becoming the highest goalscorer in the history of Europe's top five leagues with 496 goals.

He has also been ranked as the top-rated player in the FIFA 23 game, with an overall rating of 91, ahead of other top players such as Robert Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappé.

Messi's achievements and skills have been recognized by scientists, who have studied his physical abilities and found that his low center of gravity and balanced body structure give him an advantage on the field.

Overall, Messi's career achievements, playing style, and influence on the sport make him widely considered the number one football player in the world.

Lionel Messi is widely considered the number one football player in the world due to his exceptional career achievements and playing style.

Title:

Content: What Was Lionel Messi Known For?

News

What Was Lionel Messi Known For?

Lionel Messi, the Argentine football superstar, is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Known for his exceptional skills, agility, and goal-scoring ability, Messi has left an indelible mark on the world of football. From his early days at FC Barcelona to his international success with the Argentine national team, Messi’s career has been nothing short of extraordinary.

Early Career and Rise to Prominence
Born on June 24, 1987, in Rosario, Argentina, Messi showed immense talent from a young age. He joined the Barcelona youth academy, La Masia, at the age of 13, where he honed his skills and developed his unique playing style. Messi made his first-team debut for Barcelona in 2004, at the age of 17, and quickly became a key player for the club.

Playing Style and Skills
Messi is known for his exceptional dribbling ability, close ball control, and lightning-fast speed. His low center of gravity allows him to change direction quickly, leaving defenders in his wake. His vision and passing accuracy are also remarkable, enabling him to create scoring opportunities for his teammates. However, it is his goal-scoring prowess that truly sets him apart. Messi has an incredible ability to find the back of the net, often with stunning precision and creativity.

Records and Achievements
Throughout his career, Messi has shattered numerous records and achieved countless milestones. He has won numerous individual awards, including the prestigious FIFA Ballon d’Or, which he has claimed a record-breaking seven times. Messi has also led Barcelona to numerous domestic and international titles, including ten La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League titles.

FAQ

Q: What is Messi’s playing position?
A: Messi primarily plays as a forward or attacking midfielder, but his versatility allows him to excel in various positions on the field.

Q: Has Messi ever won the FIFA World Cup?
A: Despite his immense success at the club level, Messi has yet to win the FIFA World Cup with the Argentine national team. However, he has led Argentina to the finals in 2014 and has won several other international tournaments, including the Copa America.

Q: How many goals has Messi scored in his career?
A: As of 2021, Messi has scored over 700 goals in official matches for both club and country.

In conclusion, Lionel Messi is known for his exceptional skills, agility, and goal-scoring ability. His playing style, records, and achievements have solidified his status as one of the greatest footballers of all time. Whether it is his mesmerizing dribbles or his ability to find the back of the net, Messi’s impact on the sport will be remembered for generations to come.

He has won numerous individual awards, including a record-breaking seven FIFA Ballon d'Or awards, and has led his teams to multiple domestic and international titles, including ten La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League titles.

Messi's playing style is characterized by his exceptional dribbling ability, close ball control, and lightning-fast speed, which allows him to change direction quickly and leave defenders in his wake.

His influence on the sport is undeniable, with many considering him one of the greatest players of all time, and his skills and records are often compared to those of other top footballers, such as Cristiano Ronaldo.

Title:

Content: List of all 44 major trophies won by Lionel Messi since 2004

Lionel Messi

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Lionel Messi won his latest career trophy when he captained Inter Miami to cup glory over the weekend.

Messi officially has 44 titles in close to two decades, making him the most decorated footballer in history. His first trophy was back in 2004.

The Leagues Cup was his first trophy on American soil and comes just over a month since his arrival in South Florida.

Last year, the Argentine captain got his hands on the World Cup after several tries as his side defeated France in a tense final.

List of trophies Messi has won since 2004

a. 10 La Liga titles

b. Seven Copa Del Reys

c. Eight Spanish Super Cups

d. Three FIFA Club World Cups

e. Three UEFA Super Cups

f. The FIFA World Cup

g. The Finalissima

h. The Copa America

i. Olympic Gold

j. U20 World Cup

k. Two Ligue 1 titles and

l. One Trophée de Champions.

m. our Champions League wins

Goal.com report on Inter Miami final triumph

Inter Miami have added the first piece of silverware to their trophy cabinet. Just a few short weeks ago, that seemed almost unfathomable. The worst team in MLS taking down every opponent in their path on their way to a trophy? Come on!

A few short weeks ago, though, they didn't have Lionel Messi. They sure do now.

Messi was, unsurprisingly, the star of the show once again as Miami took down Nashville SC at Geodis Park, scoring a stunning goal to kickstart a match that finished 1-1 through 90 minutes. The goal was quintessential Messi: minimal space, a curling shot and no chance for the opposing goalkeeper.

A scrappy goal kept Nashville in the contest, but, even as the match went to penalties, there was no stopping Messi and co. It was a historically good shootout, too, as all 22 players took turns from the spot. Messi, of course, scored his as Miami's first taker, but it wasn't until Nashville SC goalkeeper Elliot Panicco saw his shot saved by Drake Callendar that Miami could celebrate their trophy.

Messi was once again the key to it all. There were few signature moments in the match, and Callendar will certainly go down as the hero, but Messi has done it again. New team, same result: trophy in hand.

SARA
Source: www.ghanaweb.com

In fact, Messi has surpassed Ronaldo's goalscoring record, becoming the highest goalscorer in the history of Europe's top five leagues with 496 goals.

Title:

Content: Create

Lionel Messi overtakes incredible goalscoring record previously held by Cristiano Ronaldo

Lionel Messi overtook a goalscoring record held by Cristiano Ronaldo. The Argentine is now the highest goalscorer in the history of Europe's top five leagues, scoring 496 times.

Messi netted in Paris Saint-Germain's 1-1 Ligue 1 draw at Strasbourg on Saturday (May 27) to achieve the record. He scored 474 goals for Barcelona in La Liga and now has 22 goals in Ligue 1 for the Parisians.

Leo Messi scores and becomes the all-time top scorer in the 5 major European leagues history. 496 goals. ✨🇦🇷 #Messi https://t.co/rLwHWNQ9Zd

Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, scored 311 times in La Liga with Real Madrid, 103 in the Premier League with Manchester United and 81 in Serie with Juventus.

Courtesy of Lionel Messi's goal, PSG are on the cusp of winning the Ligue 1 title. The Argentine has scored 21 goals and provided 20 assists in 39 games across competitions this season.

What did La Liga president Javier Tebas say about Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in Vinicius saga?

Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior has been racially abused by rival fans since his arrival in Spain. The Brazilian was constantly hurled at during Los Blancos' away clash against Valencia last weekend.

The player burst out on social media after the incident. La Liga president Javier Tebas has since tried to make a point to Vinicius. He took instances about Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as well, claiming that both players were the subject of attack from fans the most.

Tebas said (via Madrid Zone):

“The great players like Ronaldo and Messi were the ones who received the most insults. For one, it was h*mophobic insults and for the other, it was intellectual disability. Messi and Cristiano were the ones who received the most insults; now it's Vinicius because he's a great player.”

The clash against Valencia was not the first time that Vinicius was the subject of racist attacks by fans. There have been several other instances as well. It's alarming how one of the best players in La Liga has been treated by fans.

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He has also been ranked as the top-rated player in the FIFA 23 game, with an overall rating of 91, ahead of other top players such as Robert Lewandowski and Kylian Mbappé.

Title:

Content: REVEALED: Karim Benzema edges out Lionel Messi to become the top-rated player on FIFA23, with FIVE players sharing the game's highest score... and there's 11 Premier League stars in the top 23

  • EA Sports have revealed the 23 highest-rated players in their new FIFA 23 game
  • Lionel Messi has been knocked off top spot for the first time in four years
  • Real Madrid's Karim Benzema is at the summit after his spectacular 2021-22
  • Cristiano Ronaldo is down in eighth, but 11 Premier League stars are included

EA Sports have revealed their 23 highest-rated players on FIFA 23 ahead of the popular video game's release later this month - with Real Madrid's Karim Benzema coming out on top.

Lionel Messi had been given the highest rating by EA Sports since their 2018 edition of the game, but this time around the Paris St-Germain superstar has to settle for fifth place behind Benzema, Robert Lewandowski (Bayern Munich), Kylian Mbappe (PSG) and Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City).

While all five of those players have received ratings of 91 on the game,  it is Benzema's overall statistics which leave him at the summit.

Karim Benzema has beaten Lionel Messi to top spot in the highly-anticipated FIFA 23 ratings

Messi has had to settle for fifth place behind Benzema despite receiving the same rating

Benzema's overall stats are superior to those of Messi's, meaning he sits above the PSG star

The Frenchman enjoyed a sensational 2021-22 campaign, scoring 10 goals in the knockout stages of the Champions League to help Madrid claim their 14th European crown.

Cristiano Ronaldo, who last beat Messi to top spot four years ago, has dropped from third to eighth with a rating of 90 despite scoring 24 goals in 38 games for Manchester United last season.

Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, who are also rated 90, sit ahead of the United forward in the rankings, although Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid) and Manuel Neuer (Bayern Munich) are placed behind the Premier League trio with the same score.

Tottenham's Son Heung-min and Harry Kane, United's Casemiro, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson and Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante also feature in the top 23 with ratings of 89, while Erling Haaland makes it in on 88.

Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne has made it into the top five on the list

Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are the sixth and seventh highest rated

PSG's Neymar (89) and Marquinhos (88), Bayern Munich's Sadio Mane (89) and Joshua Kimmich (89), Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak (89) and Real Madrid's Toni Kroos (88) make up the rest of the top 23.

There are some notable omissions from the list, including Real trio Vinicius Jr, Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao, United's Bruno Fernandes, PSG's Gianluigi Donnarumma and Man City's Bernardo Silva.

FIFA 23, the latest instalment of EA Sports' popular franchise, will be available worldwide from September 30, with the game set to be released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, Stadia, PS4, and Xbox One.

The new game will include HyperMotion2 animation, kinetic goalkeeper vs header battles and more gameplay features.

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FIF 23 ratings see Karim Benzema edge out Lionel Messi to become top-rated player in new game

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Messi's achievements and skills have been recognized by scientists, who have studied his physical abilities and found that his low center of gravity and balanced body structure give him an advantage on the field.

Title:

Content: Lionel Messi, Argentina ’ s soccer god, is willing to fill the gap of his career with three gold medals and successfully lead the national team to win the World Cup, once again establishing the status of the world ’ s greatest football player.
As for Macy's private life is very mysterious, low-key he rarely exposed in the community, his achievements also caused scientists to wonder, competing to study 169 centimeters of him, what is hidden in the body of the huge magic.
The legendary six-time Golden Globe winner has scored twice in this World Cup final against France, and scored a winning goal in the PK World War. Lionel Messi, nicknamed "Little Flea", suffered from dwarfism from a childhood growth hormone deficiency and thrived on the patronage of his Barcelona scout Carles Rexach. Up to 169 cm.
However, due to its small size, low center of gravity, the upper and lower limbs have a good balance, so that he has the explosive pace and more stable strength to break away from the enemy.
Physicists have pointed out that people with a lower center of gravity are able to move quickly after their body is moved, just as they are pushed and can quickly stand firm, on the same principle as the weight of the bottom of a building.
Further explain why Messi is still standing when he has a physical collision with his opponent, getting rid of a larger player to tackle the ball, combining the advantages of balance and agility, and can make the opponent dazzle on the field.
At his peak, Messi was able to reach 20 miles per hour and became the top 15 fastest football player in history.
Craig Friedman, a sports performance expert, said that explosiveness and strength are necessary, and that your ankles, hips and torso should be strong enough to effectively transmit power to the ground.
In addition, Messi's diet is also strictly controlled, 5 nutrients such as water, olive oil, whole wheat, fruit, vegetables based, traditional Argentine dishes are mainly meat, which will cause players to consume more cholesterol and fat.
Therefore, following the "Mediterranean diet" is key, and a large number of studies have pointed out that high protein, low carbon water is good for health, maintaining muscle strength and maintaining weight, as well as prolonging life expectancy.
As long as it is "plum powder" knows that in the past, Messi often vomited on the sidelines of half of the game, and at first the outside world thought that he could not withstand the pressure, and later revealed in an interview that it was caused by improper eating.
At that time, Macy said: "I have not had good food for a long time, chocolate, carbonated drinks everything." Then was strictly required to "eat natural", now he will use the national tea Mate tea instead of drinks, away from all kinds of sugar, because this is very bad for the muscles.
What makes Lionel Messi the 'GOAT'?
The science behind the soccer phenom
# Argentina # Champion # Hercules Cup # God of the Ball # King of the Ball

Overall, Messi's career achievements, playing style, and influence on the sport make him widely considered the number one football player in the world.