Welcome to the Team Nutrilite blog!
Friday, June 15, 2007  by Melissa Charles
Category: , ,

This is my first blog, ever! Way exciting!

So, I guess the most appropriate way to start out is to introduce myself. My name is Melissa Charles and I'm a Brand Manager in Quixtar's Health Marketing department. I work on the Nutrilite brand, primarily with our Nutrilite-sponsored athletes and brand advertising.

Team Nutrilite is a bit of a new concept, but it basically encompasses three things:
1. World-class, Nutrilite-sponsored athletes. Nutrilite currently sponsors two world-class athletes: Asafa Powell (world record holder for the 100m sprint) & Liu Xiang (world record holder for the 110m hurdles).
2. Nutrilite-sponsored events. The most recent Nutrilite-sponsored event was the Prefontaine Classic on June 10, 2007 and the next is the OC Marathon on Jan. 6, 2008.
3. Nutrilite products that are great not only for elite athletes, but for the casual gym-goer as well.

This blog is going to be a hot spot for the latest and greatest details and inside scoop on what's going on with all three of those components.

So, what's hot right now? Nutrilite sponsored the Prefontaine Classic this past weekend, which is one of the top five track and field events in the world. Our new Nutrilite commercial spot aired during NBC's live coverage of the race and you can check it out here for yourself.


Comments

# T.A. Chillin77 said on June 15, 2007 5:07 PM:
Melissa, Aloha!! I look forward to talking with you through this blog and gain a better understanding your mindset when approaching the Nutrilite Brand. My background; I am a Founders Platinum and have broken our first organizational Platinum as well. I have built my business 100% within the Quixtar framework. First question maybe to get things going: Where is Nutrilite heading with more 'sports specific' supplements or are they? (If we look at an EAS or Met-RX as a comparison) Looking forward to hearing more.
# ibofightback said on June 15, 2007 7:00 PM:
Hi Melissa, Welcome to the OZ! Health & Wellness is my passion. I have a background as a health researcher and learning about Nutrilite has reignited that passion, both about the field, and as a researcher. One thing I'm curious about, which you might be able to direct to the relevant person, is the Double X 10 day supply pack. Do you have any research (preferably double blind!) showing that folk feel significantly better after such a short time? Otherwise I'd fear that a client might assume that's long enough, not feel a dramatic difference, and decide not to continue with it. I'm sure if they're severely deficient in some particular nutrient then there will be a noticeable effect, but are they really effective that quick? Also, I'd love it if Nutrilite could publicly publish more of their research. It gives so much more credibility. Keep up the great work so far, and welcome again to the zone!
# Sivaram Rajagopalan said on June 16, 2007 1:18 AM:
Melissa, Welcome. We are so thrilled and excited on your Nutrilite blog..You could not have timed it any better. I enjoyed the Youtube videos on Prefontaine Classic/Asafa Powell. GO TEAM NUTRILITE !!
# Melissa Charles said on June 20, 2007 2:30 PM:

Hey T.A.!

In terms of Nutrilite sports supplements, there are a number of things that are in the works. The two items that will probably launch this year are: (1) new glucosamine supplement and (2) functional beverages.

Globally, developing Nutrilite "sport" products is a major focus for the next few years.

Are they any products in particular that you're interested in or looking for?

# Melissa Charles said on June 20, 2007 3:03 PM:

Hey ibofightback!

There hasn't been any research done specifically on a 10-day dosage of Double X. When the 10-day was launched it was positioned as convenience packaging for individuals when they're traveling.

Here is a link to clinical research that has been done on Double X: http://www.nutrilite.com/en-us/Science/NHI/BestOfScience/double-x.aspx?

(You can find lots of great research on nutrilite.com under the Science tab.)

Also, I think it's important to make sure that someone who is taking Double X for the first time really understands the importance of taking a multivitamin, and what makes ours better than the competition.

There are a number of free resources available on Quixtar.com to help you start that conversation. To get to the Learn About Double X site, go to: Find Products > Products by Category > Health > The Learn About Double X link is in the column on the right-hand side of your screen.

You can also go to: Find Products > Merchandising Materials > And then click on the Free Downloads tab under the Health heading.

Hope this helps!

# Billyunaire said on June 20, 2007 11:37 PM:

Hi Melissa,

I was one of the many IBO's that made the trip down to Eugene from Washington. It was great getting the opportunity to meet you and talk briefly about where Nutrilite is headed in the future, I am excited that we have you on our team!

I asked you a question when we were in the tent about whether or not Nutrilite is planning on advertising in other arenas other than track and field, possibly sponsoring other athletes in other sports as well. I thought that you answer was intriguing and was wondering if you wouldn't mind sharing it with the readers on your blog.

# T.A. Chillin77 said on June 21, 2007 1:01 PM:
Melissa: It is good to know that Nutrilite has this on their radar. Especially since the personal training and active lifestyles industries are really booming. I was thinking in terms of the latest and greatest in "Creatine" technology: Creatine ethyl ester, and possibly a non-whey (dairy) based performance protein. I look forward to continuing our conversation.
# Tex said on June 24, 2007 9:46 AM:
What will be the impact on Nutrilite regarding the new FTC ingredient verifying requirements? Do you think other companies will have to do more than Nutrilite to test for contamination, making Nutrilite more competitively priced in the market?
# Melissa Charles said on June 25, 2007 10:41 AM:

Hey T.A.!

Creatine is an interesting one. We offered a creatine supplement for a while, but ended up having to discontinue it because of low sales. I imagine that sales were low because there's such a small, niche market for the product.

That being said, I wouldn't completely rule out the possibility of bringing creatine back - perhaps in a new delivery format. It's just not a product we're really focusing on at this time.

# Russ Seeney said on June 26, 2007 4:53 AM:
Aloha Melissa, Looking forward to more sports focused use of Nutrilite and XS products for the weekend athletes. I do Triathlons and Century bike rides here in Hawaii and some of the events can be 3 to 8 hours long. It would be interesting to see what should be taken before an event, during the event and after the event. Great start for a blog. Mahalo.
# T.A Chillin77 said on June 26, 2007 12:17 PM:
Our creatine was really overpriced and in the sports performance industry, it wasn't built on the latest technology. What is the market telling you? What market research is being done on continuing to develop the sports performance, active lifestyle product line?
# Melissa Charles said on June 26, 2007 1:09 PM:

Hi Tex,

According to our legal department, the FDA recently posted its final rule on current good manufacturing practices for dietary supplements on www.fda.gov. Because all dietary supplement manufacturers must comply with this new regulation, we do not anticipate any competitive advantage as a result.  Overall, because our Nutrilite dietary supplements are manufactured to rigid specifications and testing, we also do not anticipate any major challenges as a result of this new regulation.

# Melissa Charles said on June 26, 2007 1:25 PM:

Hi Russ,

Would love to give you some insight on what products should be taken before, during and after working out!

 

XS Energy Drink

Before: You can prepare yourself for any physical effort by drinking XS Energy Drinks before exercise or any demanding effort. You'll feel a natural lift - but without the spike and eventual crash common with sugar-laden energy drinks.

During: You can sustain challenging efforts by taking XS Energy Drinks along for the ride.

After: Replenish and refresh after exercise or any demanding effort.

 

XS Power Nutrition Pre-workout Energy Bar

Before: Lift the energy level of your next workout by consuming an XS Power Nutrition Pre-workout Energy Bar just prior to exercise. For best results, consume with water - or an XS Energy Drink.

 

XS Power Nutrition Energy Bars

During: During exercise you need to intake carbs at a rate of 30-60 g/hour to delay fatigue. To meet this demand, consume 1 - 2 servings of XS Power Nutrition Energy Bars with 1 - 3 servings of XS Power Nutrition Sports Drinks.

After: Within 20 - 60 minutes after exercise, consume one XS Power Nutrition Energy Bar to replenish glycogen stores and help rebuild muscles that may break down during athletic training or working out.

 

Nutrilite Rhodiola 110

Before: To enhance your performance, take 1 - 2 tablets of Rhodiola 110, 15 to 30 minutes before physical activity.

 

CLA 500

Before: Take 2 softgels three times daily, preferably with meals to help you maintain a more optimal body composition. Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) helps to reduce body fat and support lean-muscle retention when combined with reduced calorie intake and exercise.

 

XS Power Nutrition Sports Drinks:

Before: Drink two cups of fluid (one XS Power Nutrition Sports Drink) two hours before exercise to promote adequate hydration and allow time for excretion of excess ingested water and fluid.

During: Drink fluids and XS Power Nutrition Sports Drinks at regular intervals to replace water lost through sweat - approximately one sports drink every 30 minutes. Consume with 1 - 2 XS Power Nutrition Energy Bars during exercise to maintain energy levels.

After: Drink approximately one XS Power Nutrition Sports Drink after exercise to replace water and electrolytes lost through sweating.

 

XS Power Nutrition Whey Protein Powders

After: To maximize the muscle-building performance of XS Power Nutrition Whey Protein Powders, mix one serving with water, milk or soy milk and consume within one hour after exercise.

Protein Requirements:

Endurance Athletes: 1.2 - 1.4 g/kg body weight

(Example: 110 g/day for a 175 lb. individual)

Weight Lifters: 1.8 - 2.0 g/kg body weight

Non-exercisers: Protein requirement is only .8 g/kg body weight

 

XS Power Nutrition Protein Shakes

After: After exercise, endurance athletes should consume 1.2 - 1.4 g/kg body weight.

 

Any other products you have questions on?

# Tex said on June 27, 2007 12:30 PM:
Thanks, I was hoping the existing "rigid specifications and testing" would have covered most or all of the new FTC requirements. It would still be good to know how much the new requirements will increase testing, to allow us to "brag" on how much Nutrilite has been testing all along.
# Russ said on July 1, 2007 3:41 PM:

Mahalo Mellisa. Looking forward to experimenting with the different products. And also sharing them with others.

A handy tip to sell XS Energy drinks and Protein shakes. Put 3 or 4 in a small cooler with one or two frozen ice packs. Did that yesterday and after a hot 3 hour bike ride. I had one of my clients come up to me afterwards and wanted to know if I had any chilled drinks. I did and had a new flavor he hadn't tried. He liked it and ordered a case right there.

# Russ Seeney said on July 8, 2007 4:03 AM:

Hi Melissa, Got a branding sugestion for one of your new products. The XS™ Protein Pudding – Chocolate – in Limited-Edition Krakoosh Packaging Awesome chocolate pudding in a convenient container provides a power-packed shot of protein on the go!  SKU:717325.

The product is pretty good. But, when you give a pudding sample handout to someone the prospect has no idea what you are handing them if you just give them a single pudding. The blank white top is very non-descript. ie, no branding and they wonder what are you giving me? And if you tear up the Krakoosh container to give them some protein info it just looks like a torn up container. Also, would be good to have some old fashioned small ice cream type wooden spoons with the container to be able to eat while training and throw away after you are finished.

# Melissa Charles said on July 9, 2007 4:11 PM:

Hey T.A.,

We're constantly leveraging the global resources of the organization to develop products and programs to meet and exceed consumer expectations with the performance one expects from the Nutrilite brand.  

- Industry is constantly being monitored

        ~ Competitive landscape

        ~ Innovations

                - Ingredients

                - Products

                - Packaging

        ~ Regulatory issues

- Consumer usage interests/trends

        ~ Product

                - What's hot and what's not

                - Packaging

                - Delivery form

                - Ingredients

        ~ Exercise trends

                - Product Paneling

        ~ Convenience

        ~ Color, taste, overall appearance

Hope this helps!

# Russ Seeney said on July 18, 2007 4:10 AM:

Hi Melissa,

Are there any new flavors of the XS Sports Drinks in the works? My clients like the Orange Sugar Free but occassionally ask for other flavors.

Also, are there any plans for for sports drinks with protein similar to the new GatorAde?

# Esther Burke said on July 4, 2008 9:22 PM:
Hi melissa, my name is Esther and I am from Barbados in the carbbiean and I am turnning in for the first time. I am not sure that you can help me with what I am looking for but I am instresting in purchesing some products. If I am on the wrong please guied me to where I should be. The protein shake, XS drinks and other product I would like to purches.
# Isabel Foote said on July 13, 2008 1:31 AM:

Thanks for setting up your blog, got alot of questions answered without asking a question.  I would like to see something again with a creatine base.  Were there products at one time called Muscle Resource (Nutrilite) and XS Power Nutrition Creatine Squeeze?

# Andy Gamm said on July 14, 2008 4:31 PM:

Thanks for the product recommendations.  Yes, there once was a Muscle Rescue product that had to be taken out of the lineup due to issues with prescription drugs that had similar claims (Vioxx).  Creatine Squeeze was also in the line but had stability issues.  We will certainly continue to consider similar products when and where possible.  Thanks!

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About Melissa Charles

Melissa Charles, Andy Gamm and Heidi Mack are Brand Managers in Health Marketing and writes The Team Nutrilite Blog, an inside look at Nutrilite-sponsored athletes and events. I'm a southern girl at heart. I grew up in North Carolina (so don't be surprised if ya see a ya'll or two from me) as an Air Force brat, and I moved to Michigan when my father retired from the military. I'm a little Legally Blonde, in the sense that I adore all things pink and I'm the proud owner of two super cute lil' chihuahuas. I thought I wanted to be a doctor, but after a year of pre-med (and blacking out while observing a few surgeries) I decided I'd be better off if I focused my creative energies to the marketing/communications side of Health. I graduated from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor's degree in Advertising/Public Relations, and a Master's degree in Communications. Over the course of my five years with Quixtar, I've worked in Public Relations, Employee Communications, and now Health Marketing. -More

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    • This blog is written by Melissa Charles, Andy Gamm and Heidi Mack, Brand Managers for Nutrilite at Quixtar Inc. -More

    Disclaimer

    The authors of this blog are Quixtar employees. The opinions expressed here are not necessarily reviewed in advance by anyone but the individual authors. These opinions do not necessarily reflect the view of Quixtar or any other person or company.

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