A look back
A short retrospective highlighting Market America’s triumphs and accomplishments since our inception in 1992.
1992
- Market America is founded in the four-bedroom, 1,500 square-foot home of JR and Loren Ridinger
- The Management Performance Compensation Plan (MPCP) Binominal Marketing, Product Brokerage System and The Mall Without Walls™ are introduced
- 76 people gather in Greensboro, NC for Market America’s first event
1993
- Market America moves into its first building and warehouse (approximately 8,400 square feet)
- 400 visionary Distributors attend the First Annual Convention at the Greensboro Airport Marriott
- Advanced products like ThermoChrome5000, Oxygen Plus™, Skintelligence, Friction Free 3000, Aloe Gold, Isotonix® B-12 and Multi-Tech are launched
- $1 million in retail sales
1994
- ma begins operations in Canada
- Market America becomes a publicly traded company
- Second Annual ma Convention and first tradeshow take place at Tyson’s Corner, VA
- “The Sky’s the Limit” prospecting video is unveiled
- National Meeting, Training and Seminar System (NMTSS) is implemented
1995
- The UnFranchise® System is introduced
- Convention marks ma’s first arena event at the Patriot Center on the campus of George Mason University
- Isotonix OPC-3® is introduced
- Market America expands into its new headquarters
1996
- Jerry Siciliano — Executive Vice President and one of ma’s early visionaries — passes away in January
- ma launches its first Web site: www.marketamericausa.com
- Market America hosts both East and West Coast Leadership Schools
- Market America becomes a One-to-One Marketing company
- Attendees of Convention sign the “Declaration of Financial Independence”
1997
- The Motives® line of customized cosmetics is launched
- Convention attendance exceeds 10,000 people
- $50 million in retail sales
1998-1999
- Market America inaugurates the UnFranchise® Owner (UFO) program
- Elizabeth Weber reaches International Field President, earning in excess of $1 million
- $100 million in retail sales
2000-2001
- ma completes construction of its new World Headquarters and distribution facility
- ma WebCenters launched
- The first Dream Team is established
- IBV compensation is introduced
- The Anti-Aging store is launched
- Market America offers Distributors custom Web sites to showcase and support their UnFranchise Business efforts
2002
- Market America converts back to a private company, a $30 million move supported by the votes of Shareholders and the Field
- Market America celebrates its 10th anniversary
- Market Australia launches, marking ma’s first overseas expansion
- Market America introduces its Anti-Aging Store and Prime™ Products/A4M Affiliation
2003-2004
- Market America launches the UnFranchise® Management System (UFMS)
- The Transitions Lifestyle System® and Gene SNP customized nutritional supplements are introduced
- The NutraMetrix® line is launched for Healthcare Professionals
2005
- ma penetrates the Asia-Pacific region with the launch of Market Taiwan
- ma joins causes with the Make-A-Wish® Foundation to help children realize their biggest dreams
- Market America is featured in Success From Home magazine
2006
- At the International Convention, ma unveils a new logo and branding campaign
- $250 million in retail sales
2007
- Market America and Ocean Drive Magazine host the star-studded NFL Super Bowl XLI Party
- The One-Branded Portal (marketamerica.com) makes its debut, forever changing the way people shop
- With an investment of more than $15 million, Market America completes its Corporate Headquarters and human resource expansion; adding over 30,000 square feet and 250 IT jobs
- Healthier You magazine features ma’s revolutionary wellness products and services
- Market America continues its international expansion with the launch of Market Hong Kong
- JR, Loren and Market America are showcased in an 8-page editorial spread in the Dec. 2007 edition of the exclusive publication Ocean Drive magazine
- ma is featured in the world’s largest Spanish publication ¡Hola! Magazine and marketamerica.com goes live en Español
2008
- Market America launches the social networking site, maChatterbox, and the entertainment portal, maMyWorld
- The Universal Shopping Cart launches on the Web Portal to provide one-stop checkout for customer purchases from direct partner stores
- maMerchant provides online registration and setup for partner stores to manage products and payment services on marketamerica.com
- New branding of Motives® by Loren Ridinger is unveiled with a new look and media event, including magazine coverage in Everyday with Rachel Ray, Latina, Prime Woman, Life & Style and online at Elle.com
- Blogs launch on Market America, Market Australia, Market Taiwan and Market Hong Kong
- FashionCents by Loren Ridinger blog launches
- ma News launches to provide digital downloads on marketamerica.com of today’s leading magazines, catalogs and books
- Market America announces Google partnership to provide site search
- JR and Loren Ridinger are featured on the cover of Selecta Magazine, and Market America is featured in Haute Living, 944, Internet Retailer, Miami Herald and many other publications
- PowerReviews launches on the Web Portal to provide customer product reviews
- Loren Ridinger is selected as a recipient of the 2009 Women of Substance & Style award by The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
- Partnership is announced with Cinema-Source, a division of West World Media, to bring a complete movie database to marketamerica.com
- Market America partners with MerchantAdvantage to streamline and push product data to comparison shopping engines and marketplaces
- Market America selects Silver Creek Systems to boost online search performance
2009
- Market America debuts at number #66 on Internet Retailer's Top 500 list based on 2008 web sales; among mass merchants, Market America ranked #13 in 2008 web sales
- Market America partners with Microsoft FAST to provide lightning-fast site search capability and functionality on the Web Portals
- Market America introduces Cashback — a powerful incentive for Preferred Customers to earn 2% cash back on qualifying purchases by shopping on participating Market America websites; customers also earn ½% cash back on qualifying purchases of customers they refer
- ma Capital Resources is announced — a Money Merge Account program that combines innovative software with traditional banking systems and personal coaching to help one minimize interest by accelerating payments, and build wealth
- ma Global is unveiled where customers can shop from more than 3,000 of our local and international Partner Stores with shipping across more than 220 different countries/territories, including 12 languages, to ensure ease and functionality
- Executive Vice Presidents Joe Bolyard and Dennis Franks meet with Philippines President Gloria Arroyo to discuss the need for an entrepreneurial opportunity, such as the UnFranchise Business, in that region of the world
- At International Convention, Market America announces the expansion of the UnFranchise Business opportunity into the Philippines in the second quarter of 2010, which will open up more opportunities and incredible exposure for all UFOs
- ma WebCenter Owner Internship program rolls out, which provides a jumpstart to entrepreneurs as they earn their way into the business while still collecting major retail profits on the sites they help sell
- Motives® and Me, an apprentice program of Motives by Loren Ridinger, launches for teens who want to make extra money selling Motives cosmetics, while learning how to run a business from an experienced mentor
- Conquer Entertainment® announces a new UnLabel Owner program through ma MyWorld, where existing UnFranchise Owners who are interested in the music industry have the opportunity to discover and expose new, emerging talent
- JR Ridinger receives Business Leader of the Year Award from Business Leader magazine
- Loren Ridinger receives Business Leader magazine's Woman Extraordinaire award
- Triad Business Journal names Marc Ashley a 40 under 40 award recipient
- Market America, employees and Customer Managers raise over $125,000 for the Rally for Kids with Cancer event in Miami
- Triad Business Journal names Market America one of the Triad's fastest growing companies
- Business North Carolina magazine announces Market America one of the top grossing private companies in North Carolina
2010
- Market America acquires Shop.com and continues to revolutionize the world of online shopping
- JR Ridinger is featured on Bloomberg TV discussing the Shop.com acquisition
- Market America rises to number #54 on Internet Retailer's Top 500 list based on 2009 web sales
- Loren Jewels® debuts in April and continues to dominate the celebrity world
- Market Philippines launches in September, continuing Market America's international expansion
- ma® Cashback program featured in Internet Retailer, citing cashback earnings up to 50%
- Ranked #1 most improved site by Foresee Online Retail Satisfaction
- Market America named Top 10 affiliate partner of Home Depot
- Motives® by Loren Ridinger launches "Go Red" rich formula lipstick with proceeds going to the American Heart Association
- Loren Ridinger dubbed a "marketing wiz" by Florida International magazine
- Prime™ Joint Support Formula by Isotonix® is endorsed by NBA Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen
- ma® Mobile launches first-ever android mobile application
- Business North Carolina magazine announces Market America one of the top grossing private companies in North Carolina
- Loren Ridinger receives Business Leader magazine's Woman Extraordinaire award for the second consecutive year
- Marc Ashley appointed to the Better Business Bureau of Central North Carolina's Board of Directors
- Loren Ridinger featured in a special report by Forbes.com
- Motives® by Loren Ridinger holds its first model search
- Miami Living magazine names Loren Ridinger the most powerful woman in Miami
- AOL Musica says ma MyWorld is the new competition for iTunes
- Loren and JR Ridinger honored at the Haute 100 Release Party
- Loren Jewels® featured on People en Espanol's 50 Most Beautiful People
- Loren Jewels® trunk show draws big names in the fashion industry
- Loren Ridinger featured on the "Career Confessions" blog, discussing the balance between work and play
- Fashion Group International honors Loren Ridinger
- Kim Kardashian raves about ma Cashback
- Market America featured in People en Espanol
- Market America featured in Selecta
- An invitation created by Market America's Creative Services department for a Motives® by Loren Ridinger beauty editor event was announced as a silver winner in the "Collateral Material — Special Event Card" division of the regional ADDY® Awards, an annual competition conducted by the American Advertising Federation
- JR and Loren Ridinger featured as Miami Beach power couple in Aventura magazine
- Motives® by Loren Ridinger gives US Weekly good vibrations through Kim Kardashian and Leah Remini
- Beauty Snob addicted to De-Aging Lifting Facial Masque from Cellular Laboratories®
- Haute Living releases a special edition featuring JR and Loren Ridinger - Creating Paradise
- Triad Business Journal names Market America 25th fastest growing company in the Triad
- Loren Ridinger ranked 35th most influential person by Fast Company's Influence Project
- Loren Ridinger is a guest columnist for Happi.com, the beauty industries top trade publication
- Loren Jewels® ruby + diamond chandelier earrings wins "Best Accessory" award at 2010 Emmy Awards
- Market America named a trusted partner of the Better Business Bureau of North Carolina
History of Market America
Founded in 1992, Market America is a product brokerage and Internet marketing company that specializes in One-to-One Marketing.
With more than 3 million Preferred Customers and 180,000 Distributors and UnFranchise Business Owners worldwide, Market America has generated over $3.8 billion USD in accumulated retail sales. In that time, individuals have earned over $2.2 billion USD in commissions and estimated retail profits. Headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, the company employs over 500 people globally with international operations in the United States, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Through One-to-One Marketing, Market America combines the Internet with the power of people, creating the ultimate online destination. As a result, we have revolutionized a brand-new industry, setting a standard by which all other businesses are measured: Built on Product. Powered by People.
Corporate Profile
Market America is one of the largest online retailers for consumers worldwide, featuring exclusive products and services, along with more than 3,000 partner stores. Together, Market America offers over 50 million products and services. Our proprietary business model combines the power and scope of the Internet with the personalization of One-to-One Marketing to sell products and services. Market America utilizes comparison shopping, customer reviews, live chat assistance and a state-of-the-art search engine powered by Microsoft®.
- Over $3.8 billion in accumulated retail sales
- Over $2.2 billion in retail profit and commissions
- $500 million in sales per year on the way to $1 billion annually
- 2,500 exclusive Market America-branded products/services
- Over 50 million additional products/services through affiliates and direct partners
- 180,000 UnFranchise® Owners in six countries
- Over 3 million registered Preferred Customers worldwide
- New 30,000 sq. ft. Technology Research & Development Center; Headquarters and fulfillment center in Greensboro, NC
- Localized Business Centers in Australia, California, Hong Kong, Taiwan and the United Kingdom