In the US MLM schemes for gold have been going on essentially since forever, so it's hard to tell signal from noise. This covers the full spectrum from the cheap survivalist magazine advertising gold coins next to weapons and emergency kits to upscale hedge funds trying to sell shares to smart money. A pretty well known media personality (Glenn Beck) has been plugging gold investing (but also conversion to cash) through one of his sponsors on his show. Whatever you think of Mr. Beck's political views, that he managed to tie them into simple ad sales shows good business sense. I'm sure our American friends here can come up with some more examples. It's hard for me to say if there's more signals recently or I'm just discovering them.