Discusses the state of direct marketing and what channels are available for companies to use direct marketing.
Last Published: 7/18/2019

In the Philippines, a distinction is made between direct marketing and direct selling. The basic difference lies in the closeness of contact. Whereas direct marketing is usually conducted through phone, e-mail, direct mail or courier, direct selling involves personal contact with a prospective customer. Direct sellers typically visit customers at home, at the workplace, or at points of contact other than a permanent retail establishment.

The direct selling medium covers a wide array of products, including: cosmetics, apparel, food supplements, fashion jewelry, books, appliances, home items, personal care products and toys. A direct seller may present to one or several customers at a time.

In recent years, the multi-level marketing approach to direct selling has become increasingly popular. Multi-level Marketing is a form of Direct Selling. This approach involves a “down line” system in which a direct seller recruits others into his/her network, provides training and mentorship to the downlines, and earns a fee or commission based on the productivity or sales of the network. The basic difference is that multi-level marketing companies generally allow their independent direct sellers to earn overriding commissions from the sales of their downlines.

The Direct Selling Association of the Philippines (http://www.dsap.ph) currently has 30  members. U.S. firms such as Amway, Avon, Herbalife, Tupperware, Nu Skin, Mary Kay, Reliv, 4Life Research, Forever Living, Neolife International, Max International, New Image, Xyngular, Unicity, Sunrider and Youngevity have established direct selling distributorship networks in the country.

 

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.