Fornits
Treatment Abuse, Behavior Modification, Thought Reform => Hyde Schools => Topic started by: Ursus on June 24, 2011, 10:41:40 PM
-
So... Hyde School has always targeted certain geographical pockets of the U.S. population, market strongholds so to speak, and Florida has always been one of them.
Part of that has to do with the fact that it's always easier to indoctrinate someone else when you're already indoctrinated yourself. "The power of belief," as they say, or something close to that.
Well, there's a new charter school in town, if you're currently ensconced in the Orlando area, and it's brought to you via the dedication and due diligence and, some might say, the cultic fervor of HAPA (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=24677) - otherwise known as the Hyde Alumni and Parent Association.
Take a coupla Hyde parents who are bit by the bug, and who are politically well placed and powerful enough to pull it off, and there ya go:
Central Florida Leadership Academy
P.O. Box 1549
Orlando, FL 32802
(407) 480-CFLA (2352)[/list]
-
From CFLA's website:
-------------- • -------------- • --------------
About Us (http://http://www.cflacademy.org/about_us.html)
The mission of the Central Florida Leadership Academy (CFLA) is to provide rigorous college preparatory academics in combination with after-school activities and family based character education in an environment that changes attitudes and develops leaders, enabling each student to achieve his or her best. The CFLA is modeled after the highly successful Hyde Schools, which have been the national leaders in family based character education for more than 40 years.
Our mission is based on the following beliefs:
- We believe that each student is gifted with a unique potential that defines his or her destiny.
- We believe that children of all races and income levels can succeed.
- We believe that attitude and effort determine the difference between achievers and non-achievers with the same potential.
- We believe that parents must acquire the attitudes, skills, and knowledge to succeed in their roles and that family involvement is a major factor in student success.
- We believe that the home is the primary classroom and parents are the primary teachers, so we ask parents to partner with the school in both the character and academic aspects of the curriculum.
The Central Florida Leadership Academy will open as middle school in 2010 with sixth and seventh grades, adding eighth grade in 2011. CFLA plans to have three classes in each grade level, with a maximum class size of 22 students in grades 6-8 and 25 students in grades 9-12. It expects to expand, adding two to three classes per grade annually until serving grades 6-12 in 2015.
CFLA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jody M. Litchford, Esq.
Attorney with a B.A. in Psychology and J.D., currently Deputy City Attorney for the City of Orlando, with many years of experience in working with youth related community groups, including experience volunteering with the Hyde Schools.
Hal K. Litchford, Esq.
Attorney with over 30 years of experience in complex commercial business and litigation as well as experience with the Hyde Schools.
Dean Maguire
Educator, with a BA in Education, an MA in Secondary Administration & Supervision and an MA in Elementary Administration & Supervision
Kathleen Russell
Director of the City of Orlando Office of Intergovernmental Relations, with a Masters Degree in Counseling and experience as a guidance counselor with an emphasis on juvenile rehabilitation, a juvenile justice planner and grant writer.
Clara Walters, Ed.D.
Retired OCPS Senior Director of Secondary Education, former Middle School and High School Principal and Educational Consultant with more than forty years of experience in education; first African American female secondary school principal and first permanent female high school principal in OCPS history.
Jéan E. Wilson, Esq.
Attorney with 25 years of experience in public finance; has served on the Board of Visitors of Florida A&M University School of Law, the Board of Directors of the YMCA Black Achievers Program, and the Valencia Community College Foundation
Copyright © 2009-2011 CFLAcademy
-
Here's an announcement of sorts from last year, published on Hyde's website...
A bit of an aside: I see that Jody Litchford's son Andrew was a former classmate of Frank McGill, who also graduated from Hyde-Bath in 2007. Frank's "invaluable life altering experiences" at Hyde, while certainly altering his life, to a terminal degree (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=27023) some might say, apparently did not present him with enough of those "daily small miracles" to inspire continued enjoyment of them.
-------------- • -------------- • --------------
Central Florida Leadership Academy – HAPA Pitches In (http://http://www.hyde.edu/2010/03/10/news/hyde-foundation/central-florida-leadership-academy-hapa-pitches-in/)
March 10, 2010 | By jrigney | Hyde Foundation
(http://http://www.hyde.edu/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/wflc-20071-150x110.jpg)
Jody Litchford and son Andrew (Bath '07)
When the Litchford family (Andrew, Bath, '07) graduated from Hyde, Jody Litchford, Andrew's mom, was sure of two things: 1) by attending Hyde all the members of her family had been blessed with real growth through invaluable life altering experiences; 2) there were thousands of students in her home community of Orlando, Florida who would benefit from the Hyde experience, but who could not afford private school tuition.
When Jody heard about the Hyde Charter Schools and learned that these schools were achieving similar successes in the non-boarding environment, she scheduled a trip to Washington, DC, to see the charter schools in action. She was accompanied that day by a colleague from Orlando, who was so impressed with the school that he agreed to form a non-profit corporation with Jody and to bring the Hyde Schools to Orlando.
Three years later, having won approval to operate as a charter school from the local district school board, and having received the support of the City of Orlando which offered a favorable lease on an appropriate facility, the Central Florida Leadership Academy plans to open in August, 2010 as a Hyde affiliated public school. The CFLA will offer grades 6 and 7 in 2010, eventually expanding to serve grades 6-12 by 2015.
During her time at Hyde, Jody was impressed with the "daily small miracles" that occurred in the lives of Hyde students and families. She is determined to bring those same daily miracles to the lives of struggling students and families in Central Florida.
CFLA is searching for a head of school and several "amazing teachers" for the 2010-2011 school year. Teachers must be certified, or able to be certified, in Florida and anyone with a Hyde background (graduates, former faculty, or HAPA) would be extremely valuable in helping bring the Hyde culture to Orlando. Anyone interested in teaching (or in helping out with family weekends) should contact Jody at http://www.CFLAcademy.org (http://www.CFLAcademy.org). Faculty positions will also be advertised through teachers-teachers.com.
© 2011 Hyde Schools
-
Three years later, having won approval to operate as a charter school from the local district school board, and having received the support of the City of Orlando which offered a favorable lease on an appropriate facility, the Central Florida Leadership Academy plans to open in August, 2010 as a Hyde affiliated public school.
Well... now that's a pretty disingenuous way of putting it! :D
Just how exactly does one "receive the support of the City of Orlando?" Well... working for it as a Deputy City Attorney sure doesn't hurt!
And funny how that "favorable lease on an appropriate facility" just happened to become available! I'm sure that nonprofit driving school, booted out eight years before the end of their lease, sure wasn't too happy about it!
It ended up costing the city of Orlando about $200,000 to break that lease. Moreover, the agreement with the charter school entails CFLA paying absolutely no rent for the first three years. Orlando must be rolling in the dough, eh?
-
Mark Schlueb from the Orlando Sentinel reported the disconcerting facts back in early 2010. The first paragraph pretty much says it all:
-------------- • -------------- • --------------
Orlando Sentinel
Sentinel Exclusive
Orlando is out $200,000 for breaking lease, letting school in free (http://http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2010-02-06/news/os-city-subsidizes-charter-school-20100206_1_charter-school-high-ranking-city-lease)
February 06, 2010 | By Mark Schlueb, Orlando Sentinel
With no public discussion, Orlando has booted a nonprofit driving school from a city-owned building near downtown so it could turn the property over to a new charter school being launched by a high-ranking city official.
It cost the cash-strapped city more than $200,000 to get out of its lease with the Florida Safety Council eight years early, an expense the City Council wasn't told about. At the same time, commissioners voted two weeks ago to lease the building to the fledgling Central Florida Leadership Academy rent-free for its first three years.
At the time the city began discussing terminating the Safety Council's lease, it was wrestling with how to make up a $41 million deficit. And while backers of the charter school say it will eventually repay the city for its short-term losses, they acknowledge there's no guarantee that will happen.
"I'm shocked to hear the city wasted $200,000 so they could rent this building for free," City Commissioner Phil Diamond said. "Anytime you have high-ranking city officials doing business with the city it raises concern. I think it stinks to high heaven."
The charter school, which opens its doors to sixth- and seventh-graders this summer, is the brainchild of Deputy City Attorney Jody Litchford. The school's board of directors initially had three members: Litchford; her husband, attorney Hal Litchford; and another Orlando attorney, Jean Wilson. It has since added three more members, including Kathy Russell, a staffer in Mayor Buddy Dyer's office.
"It's something I care about, something I believe in. I don't think there's anything improper about a city employee bringing a great idea to the city," Litchford said. She added that she'll receive no income from the school and checked with the state Ethics Commission to make sure her involvement violated no rules.
The plan for the charter school received high marks from Orange County Public Schools. Its application included letters of recommendation from Orlando police Chief Val Demings, the city's parks-and-recreation director and three assistant city attorneys, among others.
It is modeled after Hyde Schools, which operates boarding schools in Connecticut and Maine — which one of Litchford's sons attended — and charter schools in New York and Washington. The school will focus on students who may have struggled in other schools, preparing them for college while building character.
Students will have primary responsibility for discipline and leadership, and families will be required to participate. Plans for the school call for adding classes until it serves 348 students in grades six through 12 by 2015.
Likewise, Litchford has always received high marks during her nearly 30 years with the city. She holds the No. 2 spot in the city's legal department, sometimes filling in as city attorney to advise the mayor and City Council. Commissioner Patty Sheehan, whose district includes the charter-school property, said Litchford's ethics are beyond reproach.
Litchford's involvement was no secret when the City Council voted to lease the roughly 27,000-square-foot building on Primrose Drive, near Orlando Executive Airport, to the school.
"There's no nefarious cover-up," Sheehan said. "This school is a public benefit. I think it's a great public use, and I fully support the Central Florida Leadership Academy."
Dyer supports the plan, too, comparing it to other city initiatives for children, such as the city-sponsored Parramore Kidzone and Nap Ford Charter School.
"We've been focused on at-risk kids. This Hyde School model fits perfectly what we're doing," Dyer said.
Even so, commissioners — Sheehan included — were never briefed on how much it cost the city to break Florida Safety Council's lease. Some commissioners were left with the impression that the Safety Council had chosen to move on its own.
But the Safety Council, which pays about $67,000 a year in rent, had no plans to move. The 57-year-old organization teaches safe-driving and motorcycle classes to about 80,000 students a year, most of them at the Primrose building. When Safety Council board members received notice in May that the city was ending their lease, they at first hoped the decision wasn't final.
"We were pretty shocked," Safety Council spokesman Glenn Victor said. "We were quite surprised by the way it all transpired. It was kind of a weird deal."
The organization plans to move to another building on East Colonial Drive, where renovations are under way.
The city lease contained provisions requiring it pay the Safety Council to end the lease early. Records show it's costing the city $201,473, including $129,600 cash and $71,873 in waived rent and fees.
City staffers were discussing the cost of breaking the lease last spring, even as the council was discussing layoffs and deep budget cuts, records show. But those costs were never disclosed to council members.
"I don't know why they wouldn't know that, to tell you the truth," Dyer said.
E-mail and other records indicate Litchford participated in those lease discussions and received reports from an assistant city attorney working on the project.
The school will pay no rent for the first three years but agreed to provide after-school care at no cost to the city. In year four, it will begin paying the city half the capital funding it expects to receive from the state. And in years five through nine, as the school's financial footing becomes more secure, it will also pay an additional $19,443 a year.
Because the level of state funding for charter schools several years from now can't be known, there's no way to say exactly how much rent the Central Florida Leadership Academy will eventually pay. But Litchford said it will likely top $110,000 a year — more than what the Safety Council paid.
Litchford and Dyer said the charter school's rent will include an extra amount meant to reimburse the cost of buying out the Safety Council lease.
"The point wasn't to make the best business deal for the city," Litchford said. "But I think it turned out that way."
Two weeks ago, the City Council voted 6-1 — Diamond voted no — to approve the lease. The agreement also allows the school to use a nearby city-owned gymnasium, and the fields and volleyball courts next door in Festival Park.
Diamond lauded the school's mission but said there should have been discussion of the best use for the building, given budget cutbacks. He said the city could have earned much more in commercial rent during the nine-year term, perhaps more than $2 million.
"The bottom line is that the city will be losing a tremendous amount of money that could be better spent on pressing needs for our neighborhoods," he said.
Mark Schlueb can be reached at [email protected] or 407-420-5417.
Copyright 2011 Orlando Sentinel
-
.
-
WTF!!!! On and On it goes... :twofinger:
-
CFLA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jody M. Litchford, Esq.
Attorney with a B.A. in Psychology and J.D., currently Deputy City Attorney for the City of Orlando, with many years of experience in working with youth related community groups, including experience volunteering with the Hyde Schools.
Hal K. Litchford, Esq.
Attorney with over 30 years of experience in complex commercial business and litigation as well as experience with the Hyde Schools.
Dean Maguire
Educator, with a BA in Education, an MA in Secondary Administration & Supervision and an MA in Elementary Administration & Supervision
Kathleen Russell
Director of the City of Orlando Office of Intergovernmental Relations, with a Masters Degree in Counseling and experience as a guidance counselor with an emphasis on juvenile rehabilitation, a juvenile justice planner and grant writer.
Clara Walters, Ed.D. - Solid credentials that will help youth be successful in their communities.
Retired OCPS Senior Director of Secondary Education, former Middle School and High School Principal and Educational Consultant with more than forty years of experience in education; first African American female secondary school principal and first permanent female high school principal in OCPS history.
Jéan E. Wilson, Esq.
Attorney with 25 years of experience in public finance; has served on the Board of Visitors of Florida A&M University School of Law, the Board of Directors of the YMCA Black Achievers Program, and the Valencia Community College Foundation
-
Solid credentials that will help youth be successful in their communities.
Mmm. Credentials in what? Volunteering at Hyde? "Working with youth related community groups?" Commercial business, litigation, and public finance experience? Walters and Russell would appear to have some more relevant experience, but, then again, this is the Board of Directors, who do not run the school from day to day, let alone in a hands-on fashion. Or do they?
Mostly, it appears that a number of BOD folk are directly or indirectly connected to Orlando's City Hall and, of course, Hyde School.
It also appears that the good citizens of Orlando are not being fully apprised of how their tax dollars are being spent, and of the fact that they are being spent on a modified version of a behavior modification system born in the midst of the Cold War, along with all of its obligatory tenets of propaganda and coercion.
-
From the above article by Mark Schlueb, "Orlando is out $200,000 for breaking lease, letting school in free (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=37448&p=402538#p402192)":
Commissioner Patty Sheehan, whose district includes the charter-school property, said Litchford's ethics are beyond reproach.[/list]
City Commissioner Patty Sheehan also saw fit to send out an open letter, which someone saw fit to post on a website devoted to neighborhood homeowner issues:
-------------- • -------------- • --------------
Colonialtown Homeowners Association
Posted in Orlando FL by eola on 02/13/2010
Open Letter From Commissioner Sheehan (http://http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/Colonialtown/pages/372114)
There has been a lot of misinformation regarding the Florida Safety Council lease and a lease with a new public charter school, the Central Florida Leadership Academy. I prefer to deal with City Council business regarding my district in public and in the sunshine, but one of my colleagues has taken his version of this issue directly to the media. The result has misled the public and caused me a lot of personal distress. I am not going to retaliate. Instead, I prefer to respond to you with the facts.
Here is some background for you. The property was conveyed to the City with restrictions that the land must be used for public benefit. The land cannot be sold for commercial use to offset the City’s financial situation. The Safety Council was a tenant in the Primrose Building on this land. The Safety Council rent was $66,882.00 per year. The lease originated in 1975 and gave the City the option to continue or terminate during the term. In the past, the Safety Council was concerned about the recreational uses that surrounded them. They have now relocated to a facility that better serves their needs. When the lease ended, the Safety Council was reimbursed for recent improvements on the property that the City will retain, and other contractual obligations and relocation assistance. That totaled $200,000.00.
Recently, the City opted to lease the property to an organization which will be more compatible to the residential nature of the area. We felt a character based charter school would meet the needs of this area on a number of levels.
The Primrose building is located in an area that has a 60% school drop-out rate. The Central Florida Leadership Academy will bring a much needed stay-in-school, tuition-free, college preparatory academic program to this area. There is a Skate Park, and a community center with a gymnasium, as well as volleyball and basketball courts in the vicinity of the property, which offer ideal facilities to support the school program.
As a charter school, the Central Florida Leadership Academy cannot receive State facility money until after 3 years in existence. Therefore, the City's lease with CFLA is "back-end" loaded, meaning CFLA's rental obligation will increase over time. In the first three years, CFLA will provide in-kind afterschool activities valued at $250,000.00 per year. The CFLA will reimburse all contractual costs associated with the Safety Council relocation, valued at $97,219.20. The CFLA will give the City half of the facility money it receives from the State, estimated at more than $113,000 per year beginning in year four and increasing thereafter.
There has been some concern about involvement of one of our City employees in this process. Jody Litchford is a volunteer with the Central Florida Leadership Academy. She was fully transparent about this during the entire process. She is passionate about the school because her son benefitted from a similar program. I wish more people would have a similar interest in helping at-risk youth.
The City has a long standing commitment to quality education, and supports charter schools, pre-K and other educational opportunities for its residents. In addition to the community benefits, however, the transaction will provide more rent than the previous use. Please be assured that I will continue to support sensible, fiscally prudent efforts to improve our community and the services our great city offers the residents of District 4.
Best Regards,
Patty Sheehan
----
Patty Sheehan
Commissioner, District 4
City of Orlando
400 S Orange Avenue, 2nd Floor
Orlando, FL 32801
(407) 246-2004 - Phone
(407) 246-3010 - Fax
©1997 - 2011 Neighborhood Link, Inc.
-
Gee, who to believe as to the Florida Safety Council's motivations for moving? Commissioner Patty Sheehan, who allegedly wasn't even informed of the 200K it would cost the taxpayers? Or the Florida Safety Council itself?
• From the above carefully crafted Open Letter (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=37448&p=402544#p402538) from City Commissioner Patty Sheehan:
The Safety Council was a tenant in the Primrose Building on this land. The Safety Council rent was $66,882.00 per year. The lease originated in 1975 and gave the City the option to continue or terminate during the term. In the past, the Safety Council was concerned about the recreational uses that surrounded them. They have now relocated to a facility that better serves their needs. When the lease ended, the Safety Council was reimbursed for recent improvements on the property that the City will retain, and other contractual obligations and relocation assistance. That totaled $200,000.00.
Recently, the City opted to lease the property to an organization which will be more compatible to the residential nature of the area. We felt a character based charter school would meet the needs of this area on a number of levels.
[/size]
• From the above article by Mark Schlueb, "Orlando is out $200,000 for breaking lease, letting school in free (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=37448&p=402538#p402192)," emphasis added:
Even so, commissioners — Sheehan included — were never briefed on how much it cost the city to break Florida Safety Council's lease. Some commissioners were left with the impression that the Safety Council had chosen to move on its own.
But
the Safety Council, which pays about $67,000 a year in rent, had no plans to move. The 57-year-old organization teaches safe-driving and motorcycle classes to about 80,000 students a year, most of them at the Primrose building. When Safety Council board members received notice in May that the city was ending their lease, they at first hoped the decision wasn't final.
"We were pretty shocked," Safety Council spokesman Glenn Victor said. "We were quite surprised by the way it all transpired. It was kind of a weird deal."
The organization plans to move to another building on East Colonial Drive, where renovations are under way.
The city lease contained provisions requiring it pay the Safety Council to end the lease early. Records show it's costing the city $201,473, including $129,600 cash and $71,873 in waived rent and fees.
City staffers were discussing the cost of breaking the lease last spring, even as the council was discussing layoffs and deep budget cuts, records show. But those costs were never disclosed to council members.[/list][/size]
-
We've been focused on at-risk kids. This Hyde School model fits perfectly what we're doing.
The Primrose building is located in an area that has a 60% school drop-out rate. The Central Florida Leadership Academy will bring a much needed stay-in-school, tuition-free, college preparatory academic program to this area.
Of course the "Hyde School model" fits perfectly. This area has, apparently, exactly the kind of profile that, incidentally, represents the only kind of demographics that Hyde School manages to grub a toe-hold in. Namely, a neighborhood so desperate that ANY alternative seems like an "improvement."
Communities not so desperate for the opportunity to have their children's psyches messed with under the guise of "education," e.g., Gardiner, ME, or Baltimore, MD, have roundly driven Hyde out.
-
In a February 2011 article from the Florida Bar Journal, "... And I Am Here to Help! (http://http://www.floridabar.org/DIVCOM/JN/JNJournal01.nsf/28cf79de3a2ccc8185256aef00070760/9998461b634a850d85257825004fa11b!OpenDocument)," Orlando City Attorney Mayanne Downs extols the virtues of several of her Orlando City Hall colleagues, among them Central Florida Leadership Academy founder Jody Litchford. Here's the relevant excerpt; note the mention of "education can and should teach character":
Let me tell you about Jody Litchford. Jody graduated at the top of her class from the University of Virginia Law School, the daughter of a prominent local lawyer. Having practiced law for over 30 years, she can answer questions off the top of her head in about three dozen areas of law. Renowned for her integrity and legendary institutional knowledge at her workplace, she has a passion for doing the right thing. While raising three fine sons, Jody has been an ever-present volunteer in too many community organizations to mention. Oh, and in her spare time, she started a charter school, based on the notion that education can and should teach character as well as knowledge.[/list]
-
I'm curious about a possible connection to Amway. DeVos, owner of Amway also owns the Orlando Magic. A new story has come out with the Detroit Red Wings having a new sponsorship agreement with Amway. Link to article. (http://http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2011/09/amway_describes_tangible_intan.html)
Looking up a few things, Amway and Nutriline have some very vague connections to Synanon (we might have to go to the 1920s or 1930s to find the link.)
(Link edited.)
-
deleted September 8, 2011
-
Was that advertisement? I thought I was bringing up an issue.
-
deleted September 8, 2011
-
Ah, sorry. I think I found a better article off of Michigan Live's business section. I'll edit the OP.
-
So apparently there is some connection of one sort or another. It does make sense as to connections, considering that Dr. Rehnborg of Nutrilive did spend the period 1917-1927 in China from where he learned his remedies. China seems to be a launching point for many washing schemes. It might also have a connection with Chinese emperor's efforts to combat heroin addiction within his troops while they were in a breathing gap between the two Sino-Japanese Wars. It was also the 1920s that Canada used anti-Chinese sentiments to go after heroin.
-
I'm curious about a possible connection to Amway. DeVos, owner of Amway also owns the Orlando Magic. A new story has come out with the Detroit Red Wings having a new sponsorship agreement with Amway. Link to article. (http://http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2011/09/amway_describes_tangible_intan.html)
Looking up a few things, Amway and Nutriline have some very vague connections to Synanon (we might have to go to the 1920s or 1930s to find the link.)
(Link edited.)
I wish I knew more about Orlando city politics. I get the vague impression that... there's a fair amount of cronyism afoot.
As far as Amway is concerned, folks have made comparisons of Hyde School with Amway in the past. Here are two examples:
Excerpt of post (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=13050&p=162591#p162591) from 08 Jan 2006:
My first impression of Hyde was that it reminded me of Amway with its therapeutic meetings that seemed to camouflage the hidden agenda of the 'LEADER'. I looked at this with some amusement, but when I saw first-hand that some of the kids there were being punished for behavior that was a direct result of their LD, I realized how destructive this type of school was for my daughter. She went into Hyde mildly depressed with no history of drug or alcohol abuse and certainly no suicidal intent. After being there for less than 2 months , she was routinely cutting her wrists. Her story might have ended in tragedy, had I listened to Hyde and stopped ' making excuses for my daughter and get with the program'.
Originally posted (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=20746&p=249253#p249250) 28 Feb 2007:
Every year there's a steady stream of parents who have hit the brick wall and, they think, run out of options with their troubled kid.
The Family groups used to be like Amway. There was pressure to find more families/students. There was a guy in central mass in the 70's that was responsible for bring a bunch of families on board. He was in the mental health field and knew were to find the crazies. Hyde/Joe eventually pissed him off and he walked. I wonder if that was part of hyde going under in the late 70's early 80's. Joe just kept pissing people off.
-
:suicide: :twofinger: :suicide: :twofinger: :suicide: :twofinger: :suicide: :twofinger:
-
I'm curious about a possible connection to Amway. DeVos, owner of Amway also owns the Orlando Magic. A new story has come out with the Detroit Red Wings having a new sponsorship agreement with Amway. -----> Link to article. (http://http://redwings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=587621&navid=DL|DET|home) <------
Looking up a few things, Amway and Nutriline have some very vague connections to Synanon (we might have to go to the 1920s or 1930s to find the link.)
Advertisement moved from viewtopic.php?f=43&t=37448 (http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=37448) . They (advertisements) have been moved, for some time now, to the Advertising thread in the OFFA. viewtopic.php?f=22&t=37208 (http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=37208)
Was that advertisement? I thought I was bringing up an issue.
Links to websites that are selling stuff (Detroit Red Wings apparel etc).
Wow, better not link to fornits! Who knows what will happen if ya happen to land on one of those pages with the Google banner ads!
:timeout:
It's the Detroit Red Wings official site. Of course you're gonna see a few links for purchasing official Red Wings merchandise in the top or side banners. The vast majority of that page, however, is taken up by the article.
-
And, here's that article/press release, for posterity's sake...
Some video coverage and a handful of pics at the title link:
-------------- • -------------- • --------------
DetroitRedWings.com
Wings, Amway make history (http://http://redwings.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=587621&navid=DL|DET|home)
Michigan company is team's first-ever presenting sponsor
Thursday, 09.01.2011 / 2:42 PM / News
By Bill Roose - DetroitRedWings.com Managing Editor
DETROIT – The Red Wings and Amway took their relationship to a new historic level Thursday when it was announced that the Ada, Michigan-based company will be a presenting sponsor of the Original Six club for at least the next three seasons.
The Amway partnership marks the first time in the Wings' 86-year history that the NHL organization will have a presenting sponsor, with the Amway logo seen almost as prominently as the Winged Wheel in all team advertising, branding and marketing materials.
The new agreement is built upon last season's initial partnership, which was highlighted by the Amway logo featured on the Wings' official practice jerseys and pucks.
"Last year, we kind of put our toes in the water here by having some minor involvement; very positive," said Steve Lieberman, vice president and senior director for Amway North America. "The Red Wings are an iconic franchise. We believe that we're an iconic business. So that was really the beginning tie that bound us together.
"We weren't just looking for a sponsorship. We were looking for a partnership. It's easy to just have a financial relationship, put your name on someone else's intellectual property and claim that you have a partnership. But that's not at all what we were looking for.
"We're attaching our logo to their iconic logo. Our logo will be on the ice and all around the scoreboards. We'll be on the tickets and the brochures, and a lot of the community outreach. It will pretty much be 'Detroit Red Wings presented by Amway'. That's a pretty tie."
The new agreement will involve substantial in-arena branding initiatives, as well as an eclectic mix of innovative and interactive components designed to enhance the overall fan experience at Joe Louis Arena and in the community. Some key components of the announcement today were: that the Wings Red & White preseason scrimmage will return to Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Sept. 29; and Nutrilite, Amway's sports nutrition products, will be the official vitamin and supplement of the Red Wings.
"What you find when you do a presenting sponsor is if you have the same type of company that has the same goals and objectives as you have, you can kind of bounce ideas off of each other, particularly when it comes to doing things out in the community," said Tom Wilson, president of Olympia Entertainment.
"The logo is attached to ours when we do print advertising or if we do a television spot when they say, 'Detroit Red Wings hockey presented by Amway'," Wilson said. "We will be joined very, very closely. It won’t impact anything other than to bring the two brands closer together. ... We expect to be together for a long, long time."
Beginning in October, Amway will provide every "Season Ticket Holder of the Game" with a gift pack of Nutrilite and Artistry products, and every member of the Detroit Red Wings Kids Club with a Nutrilite children's vitamin package. Other Amway promotional activities will include a Johan Franzen bobblehead giveaway to the first 7,500 fans in attendance at the Dec. 8 home game against Phoenix. In addition, Amway will present the Wings' Facebook Fan of the Day as well as each of the team’s live social media events, such as Tweetups.
"Having worked together for a year, we really had a great partnership," Lieberman said. "And as things developed, we realized that we run in the same space. We're a big sponsor of the Boys & Girls Clubs; they're involved in Boys & Girls Clubs. We believe in health and nutrition; they go around to schools and talk about health and nutrition. It just made sense, and the fact that we're both Michigan companies, and both family-run and family-owned, just gave us more of a tie than anything else."
The Wings and Amway will team-up in a cross-state community-based initiative that will benefit kids who participate in local Boys and Girls Clubs of America in Detroit and Grand Rapids. The program will give children the opportunity to attend Wings games and practices at JLA.
"For fans it will be a season-long, sort of, unveiling of things," Wilson said. "It can be ticket offers. It can be giveaways at the games. It can be nutritional contests. If you're watching the games at home there will be certain prizes that will be given out for trivia contests. So it will impact everything that we do."
For years, Amway has made its presence felt in the sports and entertainment industry, and co-founder Richard DeVos, and his family, have owned the NBA's Orlando Magic since 1991. Amway also holds the naming-rights to the Magic's Florida home, Amway Center, and they are a presenting sponsor to the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer (MLS).
"Around the world, sports and sponsorships are very common, and in the States it's developing," Lieberman said. "Soccer teams will allow you to put your names on their jerseys. Even professional football now has little patches on their practice jerseys. So I think the whole nature of sports-sponsorships in the United States and Canada will change over time. It will be more common, but we're just on the leading edge right now."
Follow Bill Roose on Twitter | @RooseBill (http://http://twitter.com/#!/roosebill)
Copyright © 2010 Detroit Red Wings Hockey Club and the National Hockey League.
-
CEDU ? Mark Hughes ? Herbalife
Nutrilife ? Amway ???^
So I think we found the link. Though would be nice to know if there was a meeting at Esalen or Synanon with DeVos,Gauld, and/or Wasserman.
-
CEDU ? Mark Hughes ? Herbalife
Nutrilife ? Amway ???^
So I think we found the link. Though would be nice to know if there was a meeting at Esalen or Synanon with DeVos,Gauld, and/or Wasserman.
Certainly food for thought... But I have to say, fwiw, as far as Hyde School origins are concerned, that Joe Gauld is very... "East Coast." I think you'll find more material and connections in the National Training Labs' focus on "re-educating" the United States through teacher training seminars in the 1950s and 60s, not to mention the interest in "rehabilitation" that the Dept. of Defense was involved in during World War II.
A good article which touches upon stylistic differences in encounter groups on the respective coasts (e.g., Esalen vs. NTL) is Time Magazine's "Human Potential: The Revolution in Feeling (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=28357#p341850)" from November of 1970.
-
Hm, thank you.
I'll see if I can draw up a chart of charismatic abuse to see if I can piece it better in my head.
-
I want to post that second article that you posted a link to, Xelebes, but before I do, there's a previous and associated one that has some great comments on Amway...
-------------- • -------------- • --------------
MLive.com
Red Wings sign multi-year deal with Amway as its presenting sponsor (http://http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2011/09/red_wings_sign_multi-year_deal.html)
Published: Thursday, September 01, 2011, 11:55 AM
Updated: Thursday, September 01, 2011, 8:06 PM
By Ansar Khan
DETROIT -- Detroit Red Wings fans will be seeing Amway's logo featured prominently below the iconic winged-wheel and hearing the Ada-based company's name a lot on radio and television over the next three years, maybe more.
The Red Wings on Thursday announced Amway as the first presenting sponsor in the franchise's 86-year history.
Amway's logo, which was placed on the team's practice jerseys and practice pucks last year, will be much more prevalent at Joe Louis Arena – on the ice, on the scoreboards, on game tickets, and on a variety of advertising and marketing ventures.
It will not be on their uniform, however, as the NHL does not allow such advertising.
"This is the tip of the iceberg," Tom Wilson, president of Olympia Entertainment said at a news conference. "You're going to see things all through the year that are going to improve our game presentation, improve your television viewing.
"For fans it's going to be a year-long unveiling of different things. It can be ticket offers, giveaways at games, nutritional contests. If you're watching games at home there will be certain prizes given out. It will impact everything we do."
As part of the agreement, the Red Wings will return to Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Sept. 27 for an intrasquad Red and White game.
Wilson said the organization was not aggressively pursuing a presenting sponsor, but it was on their radar. He called the partnership with the giant manufacturer of health, beauty and home-care products "a logical marriage."
"You really want to look for somebody who shares a culture with you, and a value system," Wilson said. "You look for parallels with these organizations. Both companies were started by young entrepreneurs with visions to build something new. Both companies are Michigan born, both are still Michigan-based.
"Both are incredibly successful and still run by families. And the key thing is the commitment both companies have to their local communities and the people that work there."
Amway's Nutrilite brand was named the Red Wings' official vitamin and nutritional supplement.
The Red Wings and Amway will partner in a cross-state initiative benefiting Detroit and Grand Rapids youth who participate in local boys and girls clubs of America. The program will provide youth the opportunity to attend Red Wings games and practices.
"We'll be coming to them with ideas, they'll be coming to us with ideas, and at the end of the day we'll just make the experience better for all the fans and all the people in our community," Wilson said.
Wilson was the president of Palace Sports & Entertainment when the Detroit Pistons signed Rock Financial as its presenting sponsor. He realizes there will be a backlash from purists who don't like seeing a corporate logo affiliated with their sports teams.
"There's always going to be somebody who says, 'Geez, do you want to do that?' " Wilson said. "But when you sit back and see the impact that these two companies are going to have by joining forces I think all that goes away very quickly."
Steve Lieberman, Amway North America's vice president and managing director, said "Amway has many opportunities to be involved in sponsorships, but we don't choose anybody just because they want to work with us, we choose people who emulate and have the same values as our company."
He believes these types of sponsorships will become more popular among North American sports teams.
"Around the world, sports and sponsorships are very common," Lieberman said. "In the States it's developing. Soccer teams will put your (company) name on their jersey and we sponsor a soccer team (San Jose Earthquakes of the MLS). Pro football teams have patches on practice jerseys. The whole nature of sports sponsorships in the United States and Canada will become more common. We're just on the leading edge right now."
It's a three-year deal with an opportunity to renew after the second or third year.
"I don't see any reason why it wouldn't be a very long-term partnership for us," Lieberman said.
© 2010 Michigan Live LLC.
-
LOL?
I'm so beyond confused...
But anyway...
Anything more on the Charter school? And Bear.. I'm going to be leaving China next year. Can't stay any longer.. MUST GO HOME at some point. I MISS white women.
That means I need that information on that Chinese hyde clone.
-
LOL?
I'm so beyond confused...
But anyway...
Anything more on the Charter school? And Bear.. I'm going to be leaving China next year. Can't stay any longer.. MUST GO HOME at some point. I MISS white women.
That means I need that information on that Chinese hyde clone.
:rofl:
Xelebes brought up a connection between the city of Orlando, FL and Amway.
Since...
there's somewhat of a similar pattern of exploitation of the naive and/or unsuspecting rube employed in
multi-level marketing (e.g., Amway),
...as there is in program pushing (e.g., the Hyde Foundation's attempts to install Hyde charters wherever they can, usually desperate impoverished inner-city neighborhoods),
and since, as it turns out, the city of Orlando itself (where this new Hyde charter school is located) actually does have real-life interactions as well as contractual agreements with Amway,
...I thought I'd highlight the Amway modus operandi and connection brought up by Xelebes before turning back to the more pertinent and specific particulars re. Central Florida Leadership Academy and mover-shaker Jody M. Litchford, city of Orlando attorney and former Hyde parent.[/list]
Blech! If that isn't a convoluted enough explanation, I dunno what is! :D
-
You got the convoluted bit right.
-
K, so here are some of those great comments. :D
Unfortunately, at least one of the initial ones in the below discussion appears to have been deleted...
-------------- • -------------- • --------------
Comments (http://http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2011/09/red_wings_sign_multi-year_deal/2272/comments.html) left for the above article, "Red Wings sign multi-year deal with Amway as its presenting sponsor (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=37448&p=406118#p406053)" (by Ansar Khan; September 01, 2011; MLive.com), #s 1-20:
CottageCheesecake · September 01, 2011 at 9:34PM
And here are some facts for you, David. Amway (or one of its subsidiaries) has been charged with illegal business practices not just in 1979, but in 1983, 1986, 1995, 1996, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 (two that year), and now in 2011. While one case is still pending (2006, oddly enough in India), you are correct that they rarely are ever found to have done anything wrong...but that is only because they choose to settle out of court in virtually every case. While doing so prevents tham from having to admit guilt, it certainly does not exonerate them. And given the frequency with which they find themselves charged with wrongdoing, there is little room for doubt as to what is actually going on.
BTW, just because Nutrilite sells well doesn't mean that it is good for anything. Remember, 8 million people watched the season finale of Jersey Shore last year. Does that make it a good show?
Go Pyramids!!
David_724 · September 02, 2011 at 6:25AM
@CottageCheeseCake - was it your intention to point out that Amway has been "charged with illegal business practices" less often than, for example, Google, Microsoft, or Wal-Mart? It's par for the course for multi-billion dollar multi-nationals to be sued. And Amway (apart from the Canadian tax fight) didn't settle the serious ones - and has won every time, in multiple countries.
If frequency of being sued is your barometer of wrongdoing, then Amway is one of the cleanest companies of it size around.
[/list]
tombearse · September 01, 2011 at 12:34PM
Why not just put on the front of the jersey during games if you're that easy a lay?
dtroitfan · September 02, 2011 at 10:21PM
Did you even read the article? Obviously not....because it would be against NHL rules to put it on their 'official' game sweaters.
[/list]
mjbauer · September 01, 2011 at 12:43PM
Do season ticket holders get a box of detergent?
zeeba · September 01, 2011 at 12:59PM
I am hugely disappointed in Mike Illitch and the Red Wings. Amway represents the worst of American corporate culture. They're a bunch of con artists who do not make their money by selling products to consumers, but by selling sales kits and motivational materials to the poor saps they recruit.
Think about it: How many people do you know who actually use Amway products? The only place I've ever seen them was in the homes of people who'd tried selling them - and I used to live in Western Michigan.
AirCurly80 · September 01, 2011 at 2:35PM
Agree with ya about Amway.
CitizenXGen · September 01, 2011 at 5:31PM
Well, I guess it’s better than Wal-Mart. Maybe The NHL will adopt a policy to allow advertisers to don the jerseys like they do in European leagues. Some of these players’ jerseys in Scandinavia look like the bodies of NASCAR’s with all the logos and insignias. It could boost revenue and exposure, in theory.
damndog · September 01, 2011 at 11:46PM
Group W Bench · September 02, 2011 at 12:43PM
Exactly what I was thinking. To take an organization such as the Red Wings and partner with the corporate king of pyramid schemes does nothing but cheapen the view myself, and I'd imagine many others, will have for Olympia now. What's next, sponsor ads that pop up across the glass when the pucks not actually in play, or Enron's Joe Louis Arena?
[/list]
loo65 · September 01, 2011 at 1:12PM
Oh how I love the Wings and dislike the politics of this family. Remember the rat faced guy who tried to buy the governorship with $50 million of his own money and lost? Sadly, I predict the downfall of the mighty Wings.
watchcaltwp · September 01, 2011 at 4:47PM
Ah they are sponsors not players untill I see devos and his sons suit up I'm not worried about the wings downfall.
[/list]
drbpor · September 01, 2011 at 1:14PM
drbpor · September 01, 2011 at 1:17PM
zoo2 · September 01, 2011 at 1:33PM
1-800-not-even-remotely-funny-so-stop-trying
[/list]
Daniel · September 01, 2011 at 1:23PM
Sickening. Of all the companies this organization could have chosen, many of them based in this great state, they choose these slime balls. May as well bring aboard walmart and BP while you're at it.
acdawg93 · September 01, 2011 at 1:23PM
Amway...didn't they run into some trouble a while back? And to add to zeeba's point, I had some friends of mine approach me about joining one of these "investment teams" a while back. And yes, motivational materials (which didn't explain ANYTHING) and sales kits were involved. I politely declined the offer. If it does take off, awesome and good for the people. But it sounded like a pyramid scheme to me.
Hopefully the Wings aren't turning into the new U of Miami, lol. Anyway just a couple more weeks and it's the preseason...time flies.
hugeadummy · September 01, 2011 at 1:24PM
###
OMG! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Great, the Wings will be the butt of every Amway joke and WILL LOSE RESPECT from around the US.
###
hugeadummy · September 01, 2011 at 1:31PM
###
The perception are rightly so is the Red Wings were always thought as a "Blue Color Team" in a Blue Color area....the opposite of greed.
Now, the Red Wings will be associated with greed, shady sales practices, and pyramid schemes...exactly what Amway is!
Dick Devos just took a d#mp on the legacy of the Red Wings...thanks..."Dick"! (eyes rolling)
###
davidgr57 · September 01, 2011 at 1:32PM
All the Amway haters hopefully are standing behind their convictions and boycotting anything that the company or the families have an interest in. That would include the arena, hospitals, and convention center. Also, check the sponsors for any local activity as well and I hope they didn't watch the fireworks downtown. They should just move out of Michigan as well, just to be safe.
© 2010 Michigan Live LLC.
-
Comments (http://http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2011/09/red_wings_sign_multi-year_deal/2272/comments.html) left for the above article, "Red Wings sign multi-year deal with Amway as its presenting sponsor (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=37448&p=406118#p406053)" (by Ansar Khan; September 01, 2011; MLive.com), #s 21-38:
zeeba · September 01, 2011 at 2:44PM
And I hope all you Scamway lovers are standing behind your convictions by buying their laundry soap and other products. In fact, you should just become distributors, just to be safe.
[/list]
onebigfan · September 01, 2011 at 1:33PM
Just some quid pro quo.
DeVos owns the Red Wings. I am surprised this hasn't happened sooner.
Guess who just got a spot in line when the Illitch family decides to sell their major league sports teams.
AirCurly80 · September 01, 2011 at 2:37PM
Amway and it's sibling, Quixstar, blow.
AirCurly80 · September 01, 2011 at 2:42PM
Geez, the players n their families will be subjected to Amway's oh so weird sales pitch.
Imagine Lidstrom, on the podium receiving the 2011-12 Stanley Cup, resorts to pitching an Amway stainless steel cleaner while demonstrating how to clean up the Cup at the same time.
Amway, just go away and partner with some team like the Penguins or better yet, the Sharks!
drbpor · September 01, 2011 at 2:53PM
Eric Prince,al la Blackwater Mercenary Group, is Devos brother in law too
Frangen · September 01, 2011 at 3:05PM
i am so disappointed in the once-mighty Red Wings. Couldn't they have found a more honorable, more
reputable sponsor than the Great Purveyor of the Christian American Way? Even Target would have been preferable.
Wings, until you come to your senses, you are dead to me.[/list]
watchcaltwp · September 01, 2011 at 4:49PM
Like 1-800-call Sam? Or Dr. rahmani?
[/list]
TheFanatic · September 01, 2011 at 3:13PM
The Devos curse is bout to strike the Wings.
AirCurly80 · September 01, 2011 at 3:23PM
The season tix holders need to stage a revolt for the Wings to disassociate from Amway or Myway.
Jon_Book_168 · September 01, 2011 at 3:26PM
Jeez people, calm down. In case you were under any delusion about this, the NHL is a business. They do this to make money. The Wings are a competitive team because they can afford to pay up to the salary cap for good talent (unlike the non-traditional markets, who have trouble just meeting the salary floor). Unless you've all been living under a rock for the past few years, you may have noticed the local economy isn't too hot. That's hurt ticket sales. A major sponsorship deal helps keep money in the bank for the organization, a damn solid team on ice, and one of the few bright spots in Detroit sports. Talk like "the Wings are dead to me" just reveals bandwagon fan stupidity. That's like calling yourself a hockey fan, but refusing to watch the NHL because they partnered with NBC and you refuse to support GE. You're obviously far more a fan of your own little self-important agendas than you are of the team.
------
AirCurly80 · September 01, 2011 at 4:17PM
Fellow Americans, let's revolt against Amway now!
[/list]
noital11 · September 01, 2011 at 3:50PM
The Amway people Own the wings Farm team Grand Rapids Griffins ! first class Owners !
CottageCheesecake · September 01, 2011 at 4:35PM
Jon_Book_168 : What you say about the NHL being a business is correct. It is also true what you say about the difficult economy. However, what makes sense if that is true would be to do what every other business in MI is doing...lay off staff, lower salaries, eliminate bonuses, cut spending, and avoid risk. Many sports teams (and indeed, entire leagues) seem to have enough money to ignore this common sense approach to business, but make no mistake...decisions like this are made 100% out of someone's self-importance and 0% out of financial prudence. Just because the Red Wings have a lot of money does not in itself make this a financially responsible decision. From a purely financial standpoint it is foolish. Workable, but foolish.
And be honest now...as ridiculous as it is to say something like "the Wings are dead to me", it is equally ridiculous to say that this won't have a negative effect on public perception of the Red Wings as an organization. I was at one website today where people are already referring to the team as the Detroit Pyramids. While that is clearly done in jest, the underlying feelings and associations beneath that humor are very real. People associate a long history of the highest integrity, quality, and pride with the Red Wings. Attaching a company with the exact opposite associations is going to be seen as demeaning to people, no matter what the reasons. It will be seen by fans of hockey (not just of the Wings), as cheapening, or detracting from that history and those associations.
Go Pyramids!![/list]
jimcarravall · September 01, 2011 at 8:12PM
It'd be much more honest if they would put logos the suits for the congressmen they've already bought like they do with NASCAR drivers.
silver_rush · September 01, 2011 at 8:27PM
are you guys really crying over this..? really? get a life
manistee49660 · September 02, 2011 at 12:27AM
Not thrilled with Amway being associated with the Wings.
petecasholi · September 02, 2011 at 1:15AM
This reminds of that Seinfeld episode where George's boss is brainwashed by that cult and ends up cleaning carpets.
msutaylorjay · September 02, 2011 at 1:19AM
So the Wings will come to the Columbus Blue Jackets and say "Hey Jackets, we got these great products that we want to share with you, but get profit as well! Now, all you have to do is find two more NHL teams and get them involve, and if they get more teams involved, you will get even more profits. What do you say?"
© 2010 Michigan Live LLC.
-
Okay, here's the second article, the one that Xelebes provided a link (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=37448&start=0#p404203) for earlier:
-------------- • -------------- • --------------
Amway describes tangible, intangible benefits of Detroit Red Wings sponsorship (http://http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2011/09/amway_describes_tangible_intan.html)
Published: Friday, September 02, 2011, 7:54 AM
Updated: Friday, September 02, 2011, 3:18 PM
By Chris Knape | The Grand Rapids Press
DETROIT — Amway has sharpened its connection with the Detroit Red Wings, announcing it has agreed to become the first-ever "presenting sponsor" (http://http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2011/09/red_wings_sign_multi-year_deal.html) for the National Hockey League franchise.
The multiyear agreement with the Ada Township-based company builds upon last year's initial partnership, which featured the Amway logo on all Red Wings practice jerseys and pucks.
"We put our toe in the water the first year, and now we're all in," said Steve Lieberman, managing director for Amway North America. "They're a great organization. They're quality people, easy to deal with. We’ve had a lot of additional things we've worked with that weren't in our original deal."
The news follows the recent announcement that the Red Wings will play this year's intrasquad Red-White game Sept. 27 in Grand Rapids (http://http://www.mlive.com/griffins/index.ssf/2011/08/red_wings_set_to_visit_grand_r.html) at Van Andel Arena. They haven't played that game here since the early 2000s.
Throughout the season, Amway's name will appear on the rinkside boards at Joe Louis Arena as well as elsewhere in the facility. Amway's logo also will appear on Red Wings tickets and other items.
Part of the deal also calls for Amway's Nutrilite brand to be named the official vitamin and nutritional supplement of the Red Wings.
"They're an iconic brand that we felt very much tied with our heritage," Lieberman said. "We're also both Michigan companies, privately owned."
The Red Wings are owned by the family of Little Caesar's Pizza founder Mike Ilitch.
"We're elated to have Amway as the first presenting sponsor in Red Wings history," Tom Wilson, president of Ilitch's Olympia Entertainment, said. "The unique similarities between our two companies make this a natural alliance that will enhance all areas of our operations, including player nutrition, fan experience and our dedication to the community."
Amway has dramatically stepped up its marketing efforts in recent years, securing endorsement deals with high-profile athletes and serving as presenting sponsor for Major League Soccer's San Jose Earthquakes and such events as Tina Turner's 2008 concert tour.
The company also has its name on the Amway Arena, home of the NBA's Orlando Magic, a team owned by the family of Amway co-founder Rich DeVos.
The Red Wings deal marks Amway's biggest sponsorship involving a mainline professional sports team in North America.
Some fans commenting Thursday on the initial report of the deal on Mlive.com (http://http://www.mlive.com/redwings/index.ssf/2011/09/red_wings_sign_multi-year_deal.html#comments) were sharply critical of the Red Wings for partnering with Amway, which is a frequent lightning rod for critics. Others were supportive or pragmatic.
Bill Chipps, senior editor at Chicago-based IEG, a company that consults on sponsorship deals, said he expects any backlash over the deal to be short-lived, even though Amway can be controversial.
"I think the public has grown to accept and acknowledge the role of sponsorship," Chipps said. "Most people recognize that sponsorship dollars are vital to a team's existence if not a team's on-field performance."
As for the cost of a presenting sponsorship in the NHL, he expects the annual cost to Amway is likely in the high six figures, if not the low seven-figure range.
Amway and the Red Wings did not disclose financial terms of the deal.
Lieberman said Amway looks at the tangible benefits it gets from such deals — such as tickets for employees and distributors and consumer exposure to its brand — as well as intangibles — such as the goodwill that can be built from being associated with a quality organization.
"There's never a straight dollars-and-cents calculation, where you send X dollars you get Y benefits," Lieberman said.
Presenting sponsorships are common and even more overt in European and other international leagues. The National Basketball League's Detroit Pistons in June renewed a presenting sponsorship with PNC Bank (http://http://www.mlive.com/business/detroit/index.ssf/2011/06/pnc_bank_renews_sponsorship_wi.html). The practice also has been used in the National Football League and Major League Baseball, though the extent of the relationships vary from deal to deal.
Chipps expects the practice to spread.
"I think most sports organizations definitely want the right to sell presenting status or sell sponsorships to jerseys," Chipps said. "There are holdouts. But the trend is definitely gaining steam. At the same time, it still has to be done right."
— MLive.com's Ansar Khan contributed to this story.
E-mail Chris Knape: [email protected] and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/Kcorner (http://http://twitter.com/Kcorner)
Copyright 2011 MLive.com.
-
Comments (http://http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2011/09/amway_describes_tangible_intan.html) left for the above article, "Amway describes tangible, intangible benefits of Detroit Red Wings sponsorship (http://http://www.fornits.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=37448&p=406367#p406191)" (by Chris Knape;September 02, 2011; Grand Rapids Press/MLive.com):
chungasrevenge · September 02, 2011 at 8:22AM
this should generate enough revenues to pay off tha $56million fine.
legrep · September 02, 2011 at 8:56AM
I hope the Wings are happy with whatever paltry amount of money they received from our homegrown ponzi masters because one of the "intangibles", the goodwill of being associated with a quality organization, isn't going to be reciprocated.
Along with most everyone else, I've managed to live thirty-five years in W. Michigan without using an Amway product and hope to go at least thirty-five more.
redwing fan · September 02, 2011 at 9:16AM
Doen't mean a thing to me, I don't care, unless they change the name to the Amway RedWings. They are soon to announce that their first line will now be called the Nutrilite Line and the mvp for the season will win the new Vitamin of the Year Award. A new booth will be set up to recruit new distributers and will be manned by Mike Ilitch during the first period. Other than that no one will even notice the sponsorship by Amway,
tombearse · September 02, 2011 at 10:34AM
Low seven figures does not actually sound like the paltry amount you suggest. I'd say both parties put out for this transaction.
dtroitfan · September 02, 2011 at 10:25PM
Who cares? Really? If Amway wants to spend millions to show and sell their products at Joe Louis Arena and the Red Wings accept their offer....how is that any of our business? Anything to help generate revenue in this day and age is not a bad thing.
[/list]
Gordon Fall · September 02, 2011 at 9:18AM
Check out this article, that breaks EVERYTHING down as to why this is so terrible.
http://hockeyindependent.com/blog/gordon/38121/ (http://hockeyindependent.com/blog/gordon/38121/)[/list]
yodaman · September 02, 2011 at 9:48AM
This is a black eye for the Red Wing organization. Scamway? Really? How about Aspartame? Devos is a jerk. The Wings will be karmically affected by this "marriage."
umcrazy · September 02, 2011 at 1:03PM
Great move Wings, you went from ambulance chaser to ponzi scheme.
Thought mr. I had more class than that!
powayslugger · September 02, 2011 at 3:32PM
Huh, what?
Does Amway make Geritol... Lol... just kidding... honest!
michabama · September 02, 2011 at 9:54PM
umcrazy seems as though you are just that. Get over it. ponzi scheme? Tell me you have not taken advantage of any of the perks that GR has been able to provide because of your alledged ponzi scheme. Like it or not GR would be Flint without what this company has provided. If you were lucky enough to personally benifit from it you would sing a different song
hankscorpio · September 03, 2011 at 11:47AM
I;m sure Bernie Madoff made charitable donations with his ill-gotten money as well. Doesn't chance the fact that he ripped off billions of dollars from folks. Amway is a rip-off company. And the Devos' are fundie zealots who "donate" to put a happy face on their political goals.
[/list]
hankscorpio · September 03, 2011 at 11:44AM
Amway is not a ponzi scheme, but more a pyramid scheme. The "Scamway" derision is well earned none-the-less. This is a terrible business decision by the Red Wings - sullies the hell out of their brand.
Dr.B · September 03, 2011 at 2:17PM
With ticket sales within a couple percent of capacity the last couple years, a nearly free lease for the old barn they play in, and a fresh infusion of a few million from the new TV deal, how could they possibly feel getting a million to pimp for the Dark Lord of Chaos is worth it? Tom Wilson got this greenlighted somehow. They could make about the same money buying out Hudler's contract for chrissakes.
cowboycoffee · September 03, 2011 at 3:43PM
will there be a stadium-wide prayer before games, now? will they take #1 out of retirement to put it on new jesus-themed jerseys? how about pews instead of seats!
tbeek65 · September 04, 2011 at 12:27PM
pozi right(red) WINGs want take over everything in Michigan. See the NEW multi colored wheel all it needs now is a wing thanks mike gone give Tom new deal like smokey & DD ?
phil336 · September 04, 2011 at 11:23PM
drbpor · September 05, 2011 at 1:54PM
1-800-call-DICK!! Eric Prince & Blackwater will now take over security at JLA !
shooter72 · September 05, 2011 at 10:08PM
This is a very disconcerting decision.
Hockey's classiest franchise succumbing to corporate greed and brainwashing.
I am disappointed in Mr. Ilitch...certainly he doesn't need the money that badly, does he?
Copyright 2011 MLive.com.
-
Following the link in the comment there. . .
How could you? How could you? The Red Wings and Amway. (http://http://hockeyindependent.com/blog/gordon/38121/)
They sold out. Not we sold out. They sold out.
Writers have always harped on how sports fans tend to refer to teams in the first person plural tense, complaining that the fans aren’t really part of the team. Today, the Red Wings proved those miserable old bastards right.
This year, there will be no Detroit Red Wings. There will, however, be the Detroit Red Wings presented by Amway.
The Red Wings have signed a contract with Amway, the Ada, Mich. based pyramid scheme, to let this company become the Red Wings’ “presenting sponsor”. That includes having Amway plastered all over every possible surface, right down to (in the words of the official team press release) “the Amway logo seen almost as prominently as the Winged Wheel in all team advertising, branding and marketing materials.”
Truly disgusting. In every sense of the word, this is a shot at the Red Wings’ fanbase. If you’re reading this, and care about the Red Wings, you should be outraged. If you don’t care about the Red Wings but still root for another team, you too should be outraged. Or if you merely care about morality in business, and where to draw the proverbial line, you must care about this story.
Allowing Amway, a pyramid scheme that preys upon the downtrodden and desperate, to graft themselves onto the Detroit Red Wings is astoundingly irresponsible.
——
The Detroit Red Wings are a Detroit institution. I don’t need to explain that much to you. The amount of goodwill generated by the Red Wings’ brand and logo is immeasurable. The Winged Wheel is one of the most recognizable icons of Detroit, right alongside the automobile and Motown music.
Amway has long been thought of as a scam. For decades, the company has operated by having low-level suppliers attempt to sell products at a high mark-up, then having other suppliers supply them, and so on, and so forth. That is a pyramid scheme. Furthermore, the Amway culture typically relies upon these bottom-level sellers consuming hundreds of dollars worth of motivational materials, designed to get them even more caught up in the cult of Amway. Needless to say, since the Amway scheme has generated so much criticism over the years, the company tried to rebrand itself with the name “Quixtar” in 1999, ultimately reverting back to the original Amway name in 2007.
The Red Wings referred to this as a partnership. This is not a partnership. This is one truly great entity siding with a truly despicable entity, and in the process, bringing one side down to the other’s level.
In short, here are the basic facts about this whole thing, from the Red Wings themselves. After each blockquote, my thoughts on the afore-mentioned quote.
The new agreement will involve substantial in-arena branding initiatives, as well as an eclectic mix of innovative and interactive components designed to enhance the overall fan experience at Joe Louis Arena and in the community. Some key components of the announcement today were: that the Wings Red & White preseason scrimmage will return to Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids on Sept. 29; and Nutrilite, Amway’s sports nutrition products, will be the official vitamin and supplement of the Red Wings.
None of this enhances the overall fan experience at the Joe, unless enhancing actually means smearing a ton of Amway logos everywhere. In-arena branding isn’t an enhancement.
“The 50 year history and global success of Amway along with the elite status of the Red Wings organization are a considerable source of pride for Michiganders,” says Steve Lieberman, Vice President and Managing Director for Amway North America.
To put it bluntly, no. Amway, you are not a considerable source of pride for Michiganders. You are actually a pretty big source of shame. The world knows Michigan for cars, timber, music, furniture, and thanks to you guys in Ada, cult-like pyramid schemes.
The Red Wings, though, are a considerable source of pride for Michiganders.
In the vein of Mr. Lieberman’s quote, I’d like to congratulate myself and Justin Verlander, for our combined 20 wins pitching for the Tigers this season, and we’d like to thank you all for the support. The two of us couldn’t have done it without you.
. . .