http://www.bbb.org/

http://waco.bbb.org/WWWRoot/SitePage.aspx?site=40&id=ab5100aa-4c5a-4314-8e1b-f5996973f10c

http://www.oag.state.tx.us/consumer/index.shtml

http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/index.shtml

Actually yes I do. If the company has nothing to hide like they say they don’t, they I do expect them to answer. Especially when one considered they underlining messages that is within the questions: Thievery and Racism.

It has been three weeks since my question to you (See my post on Jan. 26, 2009). We are all aware now that Curves International monitors these boards. Yet, you have remained mute on my question as to how 16 million dollars is spent for advertising. This is not a new question and many franchisees would very much like to know and understand how these precious dollars are spent.

Secondly, I also asked another question (see my post dated Jan. 20, 2009). This question is in regard to the racial make-up of Curves Corporate Officers. This is only a natural question considering the seemingly prejudicial stances that Howard has taken. And clearly a stance that others would expect to defend.

To recap the questions:

Question One: “Our monthly advertising fee is $195 a month per club. On an annual basis that would come to $2,340 per year for each club. In the US market we have over 7,000 clubs. Therefore, on a conservative level, 2,340 multiplied by 7,000 clubs comes to $16,380,000 a year. While it is generally good to see that CI is busy with itself finding free advertising and/or promotions (except for the objections mentioned above) I would like to know what other advertising CI has done for the past year, 2008. And more specifically, what advertising CI paid for with that 16 million dollars. “

Question Two: “…Howard is partnering up with an organization that is strongly anti-gay. Being a women’s only club, I can guarantee that each club has more then one lesbian or bisexual woman as a member. Can any owner afford to lose more members due to Howard’s personal politics? CI is NOT a public company. Understand that Howard’s behavior and Curves International is seen as the same.
What is next Howard, is Curves going to be a “White-Only”? Speaking of race, how many corporate officers on Curves are non-white?

For these questions to remain unanswered equates to at least suspicion and distrust, and at worse deception and guilt on the part of the franchisees’ and the public as a whole.

Thank you for posting on this board and for your information that no dollars were spent on the promotion with AFA.

Though I do disagree with the wisdom of working with such an organization I do have a question for you:

Our monthly advertising fee is $195 a month per club. On an annual basis that would come to $2,340 per year for each club. In the US market we have over 7,000 clubs. Therefore, on a conservative level, 2,340 multiplied by 7,000 clubs comes to $16,380,000 a year. While it is generally good to see that CI is busy with itself finding free advertising and/or promotions (except for the objections mentioned above) I would like to know what other advertising CI has done for the past year, 2008. And more specifically, what advertising CI paid for with that 16 million dollars.

In view of the fact that you are the Director of Corporate Communications I am confidant Becky that you can communicate this question to Marketing and Finance and communicate the answer back to us. Given that this question has come up many times in the past I am sure you can appreciate the opportunity that you have to build some confidence between the franchises and corporate.