Stenographers to power: When an Amway Press Release is used as “news”

As someone who has been monitoring the Grand Rapids area news media over the past 4 decades, I have certainly seen how sectors of power get a different type of treatment by local news agencies.

This preferential treatment was on full display in a WOODTV8 story from Monday, September 30th, with a digital headline that read, “Amway hires new president and CEO.”

Considering the power that the Amway Corporation and the founding families – DeVos and Van Andel – have in this community, what channel 8 posted was no surprise. However, I believe it is still worth showing people just how WOODTV8 acquiesced to the company, which is often referred to as a pyramid scheme.

The Amway Corporation sent out a Press Release on Monday morning, which I am including here below in its entirety. The parts that are bolded in the Amway Press Release are what WOODTV8 posted as a “news” story.

Amway, the world’s largest direct selling company, today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Michael Nelson as President & Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Nelson succeeds Milind Pant, who had served as CEO since January 2019.

“Amway is looking to the future with energy and confidence,” said Board Co-Chair Steve Van Andel. “We’re ready to build on the momentum of recent years, grow from our strengths and answer market needs of today in a way that only we can. The Board is thrilled to welcome Michael to this crucial position, and we’re certain that he brings exactly what Amway needs to continue leading, growing and thriving in the industry – now and well into the future.”

Nelson brings more than three decades of Amway experience to the office, having held critical leadership roles in Strategy, Supply Chain, Human Resources, and Technology, among many other disciplines across the organization. His expertise spans business strategy, people management and development, and global operations, making him uniquely suited to the CEO position. His tenure with Amway also gives him a deep understanding of the company’s legacy, its strengths in developing science-based health and wellbeing solutions, and its vital partnership with Amway Business Owners around the world.

“This business is special, and no one understands that better than Michael,” said Board Co-Chair Doug DeVos. “He knows who we are, where we can go and how we can get there. Today, that’s especially valuable as Amway pursues a bold and innovative agenda toward growth. We believe Michael is a leader who will honor all that’s special about Amway, and help us grow because of it.”

As President and CEO, Nelson will lead nearly 14,000 employees supporting one million Amway Business Owners across the globe. The Amway business, started by Jay Van Andel and Rich DeVos more than 60 years ago, will continue to be a private, family-owned company with a family-led board of directors.

“I’m honored and grateful to Doug, Steve and the rest of the Board for the opportunity to help guide this remarkable organization in our shared purpose,” said Nelson. “It’s a mission that’s been close to my heart for more than 30 years, and I look forward to partnering with the Board, my colleagues and Amway Business Owners to build on the legacy and success of the last 65 years. There’s tremendous potential and an even brighter future ahead.”

Nelson is a well-known leader in the West Michigan community, serving as a board member for the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, Economic Club of Grand Rapids, The Right Place and the West Michigan Regional Air Alliance. His dedication and deep roots will continue to strengthen Amway’s longstanding commitment to contribute meaningfully to the West Michigan community.

As former CEO Milind Pant departs, the Amway Board of Directors wishes him the best in his future endeavors.

“The Board thanks Milind for his service and leadership over the last six years,” said Van Andel. “He steered us through global challenges and sharpened our business strategy. Today, we’re well positioned to continue leading and growing in the health and wellbeing industry.”

Besides channel 8’s re-printing of the majority of the Amway Press Release, they made no effort to talk about what this change means, how it might impact West Michigan, nor the implications of having a new CEO that has been strategically embedded in other institutions in the Grand Rapids Area…..which GRIID noted in Part II in my series on the Grand Rapids Power Structure.

In Part VI of the Grand Rapids Power Structure series, where I talked about the function of the local news media, I stated – “While there are nuances within various news media outlets, the main function of most news media is to serve and normalize power.” This example from WOODTV8 merely affirms the normalization of power in this city.