Polaris Global: Why the name change from PGM?
About a month ago now a new company website for Polaris Media Group popped up for a few days. Titled ‘Polaris Global Marketing’, it seemed to be a more lightweight streamlined clone of the multimedia heavy Polaris Media Group website.
Coupled with reports from Polaris Distributors shortly after the Macau Influence Live conference that the company was about to change names, again all signs seemed to point to Polaris Media Group changing it’s name to Polaris Global Marketing.
However less then twenty four hours after I wrote about the Polaris Global Marketing website, the website went dead.
No official word was made until the ‘Polaris Global Facts‘ website was put up by the company just a few days ago. Originally sporting the no longer used Polaris Global Marketing logo, the Polaris Global Facts website now displays the new Polaris Global logo. The Polaris Global Marketing domain was also redirected to the Polaris Global domain, which is a rehashed version of the original but short lived Polaris Global Marketing website.
Confused? I know I am!
At least one Polaris Global distributor has had enough and vented their frustration over on Rhamnousia’s Polaris Global Marketing blog;
I’m leaving the company too. Whichever company it is.
I purchased business cards and advertising for Polaris Media Group, with the website address on the card. Then I purchased business cards for Polaris Global Marketing, with the website address on the cards.
No way am I purchasing business cards for Polaris Global!
Understandably, two name changes in just over seven months has left a lot of people asking ‘why‘?
If you’re to believe the official Polaris Global company line, the reason for the name change is because
the new name identifies the company’s new focus into Media Production and Educational courses for Entrepreneurs.
Now on the surface this makes no sense to me. If your company name is Polaris Media Group, how does changing it to Polaris Global in any way better reflect a new focus in media production?
If anything, Polaris Global is more vague and mysterious about what exactly it is the company does. Polaris Global could be anything, at least with Polaris Media Group you had some idea of what you were getting.
The only other reason I can think of is that the company is hoping to shed any bad publicity its received whilst trading as Polaris Media Group.
Despite claiming this as false on the Polaris Global Facts page, it wouldn’t be the first time this has happened. In regards to the company name change from the eight year old name Liberty League International to Polaris Media Group, a recent email sent by ‘Polaris Global Leadership Team Member’ Kieron Atkinson stated
The company name change WAS in the planning for months before the (sic) this statement and our CEO made changes to our compensation plan to come into line with Australian Law and regulatory bodies.
This is an outright admission from a Polaris distributor that before Liberty League International changed names to Polaris Media Group, it was trading with a compensation plan that was in breach of Australian law and under investigation by at least one Australian regulatory body.
Atkinson’s email also claims that
There was never any ruling or investigation done by the Dept Of Fair Trade into our company model. No investigation or ruling was made.
This claim is made despite the publishing of a letter sent to me by the NSW DoFT stating quite clearly that
Liberty League is an American based company which markets lifestyle coaching products via independent promoters in Australia and internationally. The scheme has been examined and found to be a pyramid sales scheme within the meaning of the Fair Trading Act 1987 (NSW).
The examination the letter refers to is an investigation I was advised of over the phone. This investigation was conducted by the NSW DoFT and was concluded in May 2009.
Now I’m certainly not stating that this recent name change to Polaris Global is for the same regulatory reasons but it does beg the question. Even Polaris’ own Global Leadership team are admitting the last name change took place due to failure to comply with Australian law.
So what’s the real reason behind the more recent name change? Other then trying to bury the past seven months under Polaris Media Group I’m all out of ideas.
Anyone?
Simple. They’re trying to get away from the negativity associated with their business. Google polaris global, or polaris global marketing, or polaris media group and see what pops up.
There’s some negativity associated with virtually every mlm/networking marketing company. But the negativity associate with Polaris’ various entities is overwhelming.
Karma is a beautiful thing.
As much as I’m leaning towards this the only piece of the puzzle I’m confused over is why the half arsed effort?
It’s not like they went through that much of a jump from Polaris Media Group –> Polaris Global Marketing –> Polaris Global. At least not in the same degree of difference there was between PMG and Liberty League.
It’s not like people are going to go ‘ah well they only changed their name a little bit, guess nothing’s up then’. I’m assuming some level of competance on behalf of Krider and EMC but honestly can’t see why’d they’re opting for such a largely ineffective name change. If their primary goal is to disassociate the company from the name Polaris Media Group shouldn’t they be using something completely different?
You’re right, they should use something completely different.
I give them less credit than that, because you have to be a real dumbass to stay on a burning ship. Don’t get me wrong, loyalty and perseverance are good traits; but I bet Shane has plenty of money squirreled away if things don’t work out, while many of the distributors are in debt up to their eyeballs.
I think they’re having to react to many different things to do any one thing very well. In fact, all they’re doing is reacting. There is no leadership in that company, no matter what some of the distributors call themselves.
I agree with you there.
That’s what they want you to believe. It’s still the same products and same media. I personally think they’re trying hide their association with Scientology.
Great blog, Oz.
I’m looking into joining this company and opportunity. Obviously i’ve come across all your posts on various websites and I’m of the opinion that you have nothing better to talk about. Usually the companies that get talked about the most, good or bad, are the ones that are successful.
You seem to be talking about this company a hell of a lot and i’m morbidly curious as to your motivation. Your posts appear to be quite scathing and bitter – less of facts and useful information. You seem to be hanging on one thread of doubt from an investigation done early last year long before the name change you spoke of took effect. If the old company was outside the law here then isn’t that irrelevant now? Has any further regulatory action been taken against these people?
I still have not made a decision either way on this topic or company but i’m more fascinated, quite frankly, with how you have so much time on your hands to so much idle and fruitless chatter. I must say it’s having the reverse effect on me than what I believe you want it to.
Gday Michael,
Just to clarify I only write on OzSoapbox and BehindMLM, anything else you’ve read isn’t by me. As for nothing better to talk about, OzSoapbox is pushing nearly 500 articles, of which less then 40 are about Polaris Media Group/LLI.
Claiming Polaris are succesful depends entirely on what your claiming they are or aren’t succesful in.
I saw an ad on tv last year that I was highly suspicious of and penned my thoughts. That’s about it really, the rest took on a life of its own from there.
I’ve never been involved in the company so I’ve personally got nothing to be bitter about. My posts are opinion and observation based on information presented to me at the current time. They are also almost universally supported fact wise by distributors of Polaris, both past and present, in the commentary that accompanies the articles written.
The thread of doubt into the companies long term business model as LLI was there long before the DoFT announcement. That came about afterwards.
As for Polaris, I’ve maintained that apart from legalising their compensation plan, the company focus is still to resell the business and get people to come along to conferences, as this is where the real distributor profit is made. This in itself might not be illegal but I certainly believe is not sustainable. A definitive characteristic shared by pyramid schemes too.
It’s relevant in the sense that the company is headed by the same person who ran the old company in Australia for two years supposedly outside of the law. As far as I know no regulatory action has been taken against Polaris Media Group.
I love blogging and probably spend less time doing it in a week then the average person spends watching television. The only difference is at the end of the day I’ve got something to show for it. Some people like to read, watch tv, play sports… I do all of those things but I enjoy writing too.
How you interpret the information presented is up to you, as is what you do with the information. The reason it’s made available is so that people like you can have a read through and hopefully have a more balanced mindset before making a any business decisions regarding Polaris.
If you join the company and things work, best of luck to you.
If they don’t, well I hope you’ll come back and tell us about it so that others might learn from your experience.
Lambs to the slaughter…
Ask yourself why they’ve changed their names so many times. Then ask yourself why they cancelled one of their events this year, in Shane’s words:
You don’t need a ramp up time if business is good. Period.
Hi Michael,
So many of us who were with Polaris are so grateful to Oz for explaining so much that was going on behind the scenes.
We were told numerous times when we were with LL that NSW Department of Fair Trading had no interest in LL as a pyramid scheme (as many on BehindMLM had hinted at) but as it turned out they had been told 5 months earlier. Hence they changed their name the first time.
There are hundred of us who have walked away losing thousands of dollars. I lost $25000 at least – many lost a lot more.
I worked up to 60 hours a week for little reward. I was told to put more money in and I would be rewarded. Be positive. The whole business was very cult like.
Beware!!
Saying all this at one time I loved the business and meet some wonderful people but most of those have departed (and are working hard to make there money back).
The leaders have lied constantly to keep the business going.
Please Beware – Shane Krider and Rachel Oliver cannot be trusted.
Quite the opposite, IMHO this is the most factual site on the internet regarding Liberty League/PMG. A lot of the posts come from associates who have been involved in the business at all levels (including myself). The fact is that this is one of the first sites to get the real truth out about LLI/PMG.
Well I suggest you join, ignore the negative comments, do what the leaders tell you and you will succeed. That is what I did, I successfully lost $50k+
Then get back to us in six months and give us your success story….
Michael Stanhope… you’re not looking to join this company, you’re a part of it.
I saw your comments on my blog, you’re one angry individual. Blogs have this interesting feature where I can click your address and see your comments, irregardless of the email address that you used. You’re quite pathetic.
Michael, good luck to you. You may be a good candidate for Polaris. We are not here posting to waste time. Most of us who lost money would have been glad for the blog by OZ and wordpress. They were not available when I signed. Are you maybe a member with a a reason to post a long gripe? ? No leaders there, just those living in delusion. Really would not take much today to figure out its a bunch of nonsense.
Rhamnousia – you are one to talk about pathetic! You were a member of LLI for years and the only reason you left (would love to see a copy of your resignation email) was cause you were overwhelmed with the changes (morals, ethics, beliefs whatever you want to call it) and couldn’t keep up.
Heck I bet you would have carried on in your perfect world trampling innocent people without a care in the world and even try to contact Michael privately and sign him up as a LLI associate to make a quick buck.
A lot of people had issues with LLI associates feeding off the gullible but that would have been a business transaction for you back in the day!
Your world rocked and it clearly shows that you are now venting frustration at people you think are responsible for stealing your happy-go-lucky-life. Now that’s pathetic!
@Rhamnousia-pathetic?
For the record I don’t know who Rhamnousia is but given what this article covers, you don’t see the irony in attacking Rhamnousia instead of addressing any of the information presented here or at Rhamnousia’s blog?
You’ve just gone and pulled another Molina.
I don’t know what “another Molina” is but if it means I called Rhamnousia out against her own selfish agenda … then that’s what I did absolutely.
I have made comments on her blog that really reveal the truth about her scamming ways. Being the con that she is – she has chosen to not approve my comments on numerious occasions.
If Rhamnousia had nothing to hide, she would have approved my comments and perhaps responded even.
Your blog OZ is clearly about getting the truth out – Rhamnousia’s blog is purely biased and anything that brings up her past with LLI gets deleted!
Also, if you are wondering how I know Rhamnousia is a she cause this question came up on her blog and my response was ignored/deleted – she has a husband.
http://polarisglobalmarketing.wordpress.com/2010/04/08/my-experience/
@Rhamnousia-pathetic?
You seem to have taken my comment towards Michael “the fake” Stanhope very personally.
I’m receiving similar comments on my blog, most so bad I won’t post them, attacking me and every mlm company they believe I may be associated with. Here’s a clue: I’m not associated with any.
Most of the comments originate in Australia, the only country that Polaris appears to have a foothold. I bet that’s slipping away.
Here’s the problem Rhamnousia – the motive behind your blog bothers me. It’s a selfish one where you are airing a company’s dirty laundry cause you couldn’t deal with it anymore.
The title of your blog has scam in it but all your responses conclude that Polaris or LLI was not a Pyramid scam as you clearly state on your blog.
That’s undoing all the effort OZ and the others put into demonstrating that LLI and now Polaris is a scam.
I know you will never agree to the fact that LLI was a scam because you were part of it even though Oz argues it was. If your blog is a service to others because the company is a scam (which you said it’s not) – good on you. But if your intention is to just air a company’s dirty laundry just because you couldn’t deal with it anymore – as far as I am concerned, you’ve lost all credibility.
At least behindmlm unbiased cause OZ is not associated with any MLM. You can say that you are not associated with any MLM anymore but that does not take away the fact that you used to earn a living with the same company you are trashing right now.
@Rhamnousia-pathetic?
I know who you are; your comments always end up in my spam folder; I’ve approved 3 of them in the past. The 3 where you ask pointed questions trying to figure out who I am.
I don’t allow every comment on my blog. Tonight I unapproved 3 comments, one from myself and two comments from two separate individuals, because the information couldn’t be confirmed.
Last night I unapproved a comment from someone who put out information about Wealth Masters and Lifepath Unlimited that I have no way of verifying.
The 2 comments from you that I didn’t approve were interesting. You start by saying:
Then go on to quote Shane as if he were a prophet. You’re about as subtle as a brick through a window.
I don’t hold back that I enjoyed my time with LLI. I was successful by my terms, but probably not by anyone else’s. I enjoyed the personal development aspect of it, and I loved the events. I never said I earned a living from LLI. I did say that I supplemented my husband’s income.
From your comments on my blog it appears that you were trying to figure out who I am. Then quoting Shane like his poo smells like roses… I really do think you’re a distributor or probably one of the EMC. I might be wrong, but I doubt it.
I’ve never hid my admiration for Oz. He is very thorough, and I’ve linked to his blog several times.
You’re interested in attacking LLI, and I don’t have a problem with that. Its a non issue because there is no more LLI.
If you don’t like that I enjoyed LLI then too bad, go find a shoulder to cry on. I refuse to toe some imaginary line that you’ve set forth.
If you think its selfish to warn people who may drop upwards of $30,000 that the company who stands to profit has ties to Scientology, threw what was quite possibly the worst event in personal development history (which cost what? $16,000+ for attendees?), canceled a very expensive event after people bought tickets, and has an owner who left his wife and children for a distributor with whom he carried on an extramarital affair then started a company with her… then you need to Departure your head from your ass.
Such words Rhamnousia! I am sure this is exactly how you treated your team members when you scammed them off their money and told them to depart their head from their asses. Fine example you are setting for your children!
I don’t care what you approved and did not – you think you know which comment is right and wrong just because it is your blog – well it just goes to show your selfish motive behind your blog rather than let anyone and everyone have a say.
@ Rhamnousia “I know who you are”
What’s that supposed to be – a threat? That’s what con artists like you are good at anyways.
Oh!by all means go ahead and warn people; I am all for it but as I said before – your motive in doing that is messed up and certainly selfish cause you were so frustrated with the changes that you couldn’t tell the differences between your head and your ass anymore!
I appreciate what Oz is doing with his research, you on the other hand are writing rubbish and OZ has to make comments on your blog to correct you. So I will continue to say this – that’s pathetic!
@Rhamnousia-pathetic?
I for one think that the information Rhamnousia puts out is valid. You keep talking about her motive, and its obvious that you’re trying to discredit her.
You say that Polaris is a scam, then you put out a statement like that? I agree with her that you’re probably an active distributor or EMC member.
I think she’s got you scared. I know for a fact that a lot of people have quit Polaris due to the information put out on her blog. The active distributors I know have trouble prospecting because of the information put out on her blog. She’s forced Polaris distributors to start their own blogs with the hope of lowering her search engine rankings. When it was just Oz, it was easy to say he was some former associate who went to a competing company. Now there’s two bloggers putting out similar info and they can’t say that anymore.
Like I said, you claim that Polaris is a scam, but you’re using Oz’s blog to attempt to discredit someone that says the same? Because you don’t like her motives? Well you’re so obvious that it won’t work.
@Rhamnousia-pathetic?
You’re so obviously a polaris clone. You people are always on the attack, why don’t you give it up? People aren’t as stupid as you think. Why don’t you read Oz’s blog on polaris restoring credibility and answer some of his questions.
Rhamnousia-pathetic I tend to agree that you’re a polaris distributor and that makes sense as you follow their attack methods.
@Rhamnousia-pathetic?
Could you be more transparent? Airing a company’s dirty laundry? Only an active distributor would use a phrase like that.
So she thought Polaris was a separate company, and when Oz pointed out that it was a name change she acknowledged it then complimented him… I fail to see anything wrong with that.
Keep attacking her, you’re not fooling anyone. If anything you give her more credibility, because you’re showing how scared you and the rest of the distributors are.
Paranoid, aren’t you?
It simply means that I know who you are in respect to your comments. I have no idea who you are otherwise, other than you’re a Polaris distributor.
I do know which comment is right or wrong for my blog. My blog is about Polaris Global – plain and simple. You may want to use it to attack whomever you see fit, and I won’t allow that.
This particular blog, behindmlm.com, would be the correct forum to post comments about other opportunities, or people involved with other opportunities. Note the title: Behind MLM. It’s all encompassing.
I appreciate what Oz is doing with his research, too. How many times did he have to correct me? Once, and I acknowledged it.
*yawn* yes we understand, you hate me.
Rhamnousia is busy “warning people who may drop upwards of $30,000 that the company”. To clarify – she enjoyed her time with the company and even made money. If she is now encouraging people to request a refund; shouldn’t she be returning all the money that she took from the people she scammed? Isn’t she being a hypocrite if she doesn’t? I’ll answer that – YES to both questions.
While all of you are looking at “the company” – people like Rhamnousia were doing the dirty work and I am placing the blame where it belongs.
If it isn’t a win-win situation especially for the hard working people you are taking money from, you’ve just succeeded in your latest con job. Oh and just for the record (hate the sin, not the sinner); I don’t hate you Rhamnousia – I mega loath the self-righteous, backstabbing hypocrisy you’ve got going on pretending to be the world’s messiah against the company you enjoyed working with. What a waste of time with your personal development…
@Rhamnousia-pathetic?
Dude you’ve really got it in for Rhamnousia; I’m starting to think there’s something wrong with you. She’s helping to expose the company you profess to hate, and all you want to do is tear her apart.
And how do you know its self righteous hypocrisy? What if it’s atonement? She’s not a part of the company anymore, so how is she backstabbing anyone? If anything, she’s a whistle blower.
Bullsh*t. You can put that on your record but it won’t go on anyone else’s. You’ve attacked her several times already on this blog. You’re obsessed with her, hope you realize that.
I had a stalker before and he acted like Rhamnousia-pathetic, he wasn’t a stalker at first but became one after I wouldn’t go out with him. He said he was just trying to watch over me but I’m not stupid he was trying to control me. I’m not as stupid as people think and Rhamnousia-pathetic is a stalker he got mad because Rhamnusia wouldn’t put his comment on her blog and now he’s trying to control her and her blog.
Rahmousia boys can be stupid if your cute you know what I mean!! no offense if your not!! My favorite song is Jesus take the wheel….. so just listen to that and know that you have friends!!
You are absolutely right Frank – I am obsessed because I didn’t make a single cent for my business decision. That’s exactly what most of us bitter ex-distributors are: obsessed!
And finally my point – I tried to make this point on Rahmousia’s blog under testimonials but she wouldn’t accept my comment. Yes it bothered me because it just showed that Rahmousia’s no different from the controlling Polaris she is bashing and her years with them have definitely rubbed off on her.
Here it is again – this is what everyday life becomes for all of us ex-LLI/ex-Polaris who unlike Rahmousia didn’t enjoy our time.
Step 1: I hate Polaris and don’t want anything to do with it. I am moving on.
Step 2: Search Google for Polaris and read all info.
Step 3: Make as many comments as possible so it looks like there are a million people.
Step 4: Go to Step 1.
That’s being stuck in a rut or obsessed. As for attacks on Rahmousia – that’s called Karma. What did you expect after she took innocent people’s money!
Rahmousia is obsessed with Polaris like all of us who walked away! Just because we have a common enemy doesn’t mean we have to be on the same side.
Like I said on Rahmousia’s blog – I need to get a life.
Yeah yeah there you go, now you’re trying to discredit ex distributors by calling them obsessed. An attack without seeming to attack…. you’re like a Polaris ninja…. the fist of the North Star!
Best of luck to you Rhamnousia-pathetic…. I have a feeling you’ll need it.
Rhamnousia – THE END! You started your blog with the WRONG MOTIVES and now it’s suspended for violation. You should have paid more attention to your years of personal development… “Best of luck to you Rhamnousia. I have a feeling you’ll need it”.
And now…. another long standing PMG/LLI has moved on, Kevin Knecht. And then I see some PMGers…oops Polaris Globalers claiming the business is ‘Better Than Ever’. I feel so sorry for them when the rug is completely pulled out.
Hey… anbody got their second installment of the beyond freedom evolution yet?
Nope on evolution but they have shut doors in head office and said staff are working from home!! I see Alarm bells ringing there….. a multi-millionaire $$ company letting all their staff work from home … or is it they can not pay there bills yet again … so will they change their name yet again to avoid paying people??
i was just about to sign with polaris so is this all false or what???
Hi maxjam, I’d suggest reading up on as much as you can. I can’t verify every reader’s comment you’ll come across but I can state that anything I’ve written has been verified in one way or another.
Maxjam… where’s there is smoke there is fire, I just wish I had seen oz’s when I was doing my research, there just wasn’t a lot of information back in 2008 when I was getting started with Liberty League, but there sure were a lot more top earners working the business then too, including my advisor. When Polaris started and the new comp plan, that’s when people started dropping like dead flies. Even my advisor left and she tried to justify staying and just couldn’t find enough reasons and money to do it anymore.
Being an old LLI in the days when Shane Krider did not have control of the company stood a company of love and integrity and then the disarster – Krider and scientology had control – it became – Polaris Global Marketing.
Polaris Marketing then Polaris Global, many many successful entrepreneurs called LLI home, with integrity. The con artist Shane Krider I hope is not sleeping well at night – his actions directly caused so so many individuals pain, financially and emotionally.
Saddened by news this week of a fellow LLI who was the gentlest person with a kind heart, who loved life, his wife, his daughter saw his whole life changed by Kriders decisions – the end result: http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/ellery-bennett-could-soon-be-charged-with-murder-20100819-wpms
Kriders actions in August 2009 distroyed many marriages, bankruptcy – how he and Rachel Oliver can continue in business is mindblowing, people need to realise they are dangerrous!
href=”http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/ellery-bennett-could-soon-be-charged-with-murder-20100819-wpms” rel=”nofollow”>http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/dpp/news/local/ellery-bennett-could-soon-be-charged-with-murder-20100819-wpms
This is shocking news. I will keep their families in my prayers as I can only imagine the grief they are experiencing from this tragedy.
Thanks for the heads up Eye Opener.
I’ve just finished penning an article on Bennett’s story, ‘MLM debt leads to murder and failed suicide attempt‘.
Let’s be realistic. Even though Krider is a dangerous manipulator, no one can blame him for this tragedy. In fact, it’s clear from the news articles that Bennett’s problems involved HUNDREDDS of thousands of dollars in debt due to real estate and investment deals. He didn’t do that in MLM.
Rather than use this as an excuse to bash on MLM, I think it more appropriate to wish the family peace and healing. IMO, this line of conversation is inappropriate.
@Johnny…we don’t know the whole truth about Bennett’s situation and there are probably many facts that will remain undisclosed. I did meet Ellory a few times and he made a 6 figure income in his previous job and stayed on until his LLI business took off. I believe he had a time of success, and then, I heard not much of him before I left LLI. His name hardly ever showed up on the leader board, if at all actually. So, hard to know what happened in his later months before he moved on to the next MLM.
I wish great peace for all.