ACN INC

Staying connected through technology has never been easier. But what about choosing the right providers of that technology? This can frequently be one of the most complicated and exasperating experiences that a customer may encounter when signing up for a service.  But that need not be the case with ACN Europe BV, the European subsidiary of the global communications services company. Previously recognised as one of the fastest growing global companies, as the world’s largest direct seller of telecommunications and essential services for home and business, ACN currently have millions of customers using a range of services available via ACN, such as  telephony, Internet, television, security, mobile and energy services.

ACN’s story is one of phenomenal growth over the past 18 years from a simple concept into a near billion-dollar company.  Founded in 1993 by Greg Provenzano, Robert Stevanoski, Mike Cupisz and Tony Cupisz, ACN was initially created for the purpose of selling long distance communication services for LCI, a company later acquired by Qwest.  In 1993, the company launched its business in the United States, and then just a few years later, in 1997, it expanded into the Canadian market. By 1999 the company launched its services in the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden. It is through this continued expansion that the company has become the largest direct seller of telecommunications services in the world.

“Our focus, wherever we are, is to provide residential customers and small businesses with a high quality service,” says David Merriman, executive vice-president of ACN.  Mr. Merriman has been a key figure with ACN for 15 years and is responsible for the support and coordination of ACN’s global operations. “We provide long-term value for our customers while controlling costs and remaining competitive,” Mr. Merriman adds.

Today, from its world headquarters in Concord, North Carolina, ACN employs 1,300 people globally and generates almost 400 million euros of revenue each year.  It operates in 23 countries on 4 continents, including the United States, Canada, eighteen European countries, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea.  There are also regional offices in Poland and Sweden, in addition to the European headquarters in Amsterdam.

“ACN’s high quality services and strategic partnerships have translated into steady growth,” Mr. Merriman says.

ACN offers a full range of telecommunication services in their product portfolio; these services include: fixed-line phone service, digital phone service, high-speed Internet and various mobile products. ACN’s traditional fixed-line service, which consists of carrier pre-selection and line rental, provide customers with competitive rates in conjunction with the exclusive benefits of ACN-2-ACN calling, the company’s in-network savings program for customers worldwide. The company’s mobile offering includes strategic partnerships with many of the world’s leading mobile service providers, plus a new service launched throughout Europe this year called ACN Mobile World, which enables users to download an application to their smartphone to save money on international calls.

ACN Digital Phone Service, available with a phone adaptor or videophone, uses advanced technology on ACN’s own state-of-the-art VoIP network. With unlimited calling plans available and by transmitting calls over the Internet, digital phone service can offer customers substantial savings over traditional telephone service.

ACN’s high-speed Internet service provides users with reliable connections and fast access.  The service is currently only available in some select markets but will be launched in more countries in the foreseeable future in an effort to provide bundled services with other ACN products.

ACN has also forged energy partnerships in several countries; it is one of its newest ventures and is in line with ACN’s vision to expand beyond traditional telecommunications products to become a single source of essential household services.

ACN Independent Representatives can sell ACN services to customers in any country in which ACN operates, enabling Representatives to be able to work beyond borders and build up their customer base in multiple markets simultaneously.  To help support its European Independent Representatives expand their business opportunities, ACN has websites, marketing collateral and other useful documentation available in 14 languages.  A new website – www.myacn.eu – was recently unveiled to better promote the available products and services in a particular market, while providing each Representative with the option of customising their website with their photo and relevant contact details.

In recent years, ACN has helped increase their brand awareness with the support of American real estate mogul, Mr. Donald J. Trump.  He is a currently a company spokesperson who has made several appearances at ACN International Training Conventions and one of ACN’s signature products – the ACN videophone – has been featured twice on his hit reality show, The Celebrity Apprentice.

ACN also has a longstanding relationship with the Ronald McDonald House Charities, an international organisation helping the families of sick children by providing homes away from home, or temporary travel accommodations while children are being treated at a hospital. Over the years, ACN has also donated millions of euros annually to groups and nonprofit organisations throughout the world, including the Children’s International Summer Village and the Peace Brigades Internationals, both located in Gothenburg, Sweden.

ACN’s primary goal for the next decade is continued global growth.  To achieve this objective, the company plans to expand into more markets, following the successful expansion into the Czech Republic and Hungary in 2011, and South Korea in late 2010.

Great connectors with a fast track to success have a way of making that happen.