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#1
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Weight Watchers Targets the Atkins-Weary
Got to wonder if the new plan will be aimed at low-carbers.
http://money.excite.com/ht/nw/bus/20...n15562788.html SAN FRANCISCO/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Weight Watchers International Inc. (WTW) is hoping to reel in U.S. dieters disillusioned with low-carb plans like Atkins, though it remains to be seen if its new program will help revitalize battered profits and membership rolls. Missouri resident Camille McClean, who said she lost 20 pounds in three months on the Atkins diet but believes the plan put her in the hospital with a kidney infection, is precisely the kind of person Weight Watchers is looking for. McClean deserted Atkins for Weight Watchers and said in an interview she lost 95 pounds on the company's reduced-calorie "points" system, which does not forbid certain foods. Atkins Nutritionals said there was no evidence to suggest following the Atkins diet might cause a kidney infection. Weight Watchers is looking to capture the attention of what it hopes is a large number of consumers with experiences similar to McClean's and will roll out a new weight loss program later this month. "We are seeing all sorts of people, and more and more of them are people who have tried one low-carb diet or another," Eliot Glazer, Weight Watchers vice president of marketing, said in an interview. "People are prone to trying new things when it comes to weight loss." Yet whether more of these so-called low-carb refugees find a home at Weight Watchers is another question. The Woodbury, New York, company on Thursday said profit fell in the second quarter while acknowledging the low-carb craze may not be ebbing as quickly as it had forecast. Chief Executive Linda Huett told investors during a conference call on May 11 that she expected to see a growing number of low-carb refugees. Two days later Weight Watchers stock hit a two-year low of $31.83. MEETING ATTENDANCE STILL DOWN High-protein, low-carbohydrate regimens like the Atkins and South Beach diets have generated a massive following among weight-conscious U.S. consumers, though the craze has leveled off after peaking in January, said Harry Balzer, vice president at market research firm The NPD Group. About 7 percent of adult Americans now follow some kind of low-carb diet, down from a high of 9 percent, Balzer said. Yet attendance at Weight Watchers meetings in North America declined in the past quarter, spurring the company to narrow its profit forecast for the year. In the face of such membership declines, Weight Watchers hopes its new initiative will boost attendance by attracting dieters who are weary of shunning foods like bread and pasta. Atkins Chief Marketing Officer Matt Wiant said because of its meetings format, Weight Watchers will always be a haven for dieters who need social reinforcement to lose weight. He added that Atkins' own research showed that Weight Watchers' plan was not seen by consumers as being as effective as low-carb. "They are not turning to Weight Watchers for their nutritional brilliance," Wiant said. With Weight Watchers stock down nearly 30 percent since hitting an all-time high of $50.39 in 2002, Wall Street is eager to see results. One analyst expressed frustration that the company did not give specifics on the new plan during Thursday's quarterly conference call. "We were disappointed with the minimal level of detail provided on the conference call with respect to the new program," J.P. Morgan analyst Dina D'Amore said in a note to clients. "We would have liked to have heard more about the program to assess the potential opportunity." NPD Group's Balzer said he expects the low-carb craze to ease just as other weight loss plans have in a country where an estimated 60 percent of the population is overweight, according to government data. But even if the trend has peaked, Weight Watchers has said the popularity of low- and no-carb packaged food products have led to an increase in self-styled weight loss regimens that threaten the company's own line of branded food products. |
#2
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With all the low-carb foods on the market, the restaurants that are
adding low-carb items to their menus, and even WW putting out low-carb frozen dinners, it wouldn't surprise me that the new plan will target low-carbers. Even here on ASDWW, we get Atkins refugees, people looking for a way to have their potatoes and bread and fruit and the occasional indulgence. IMO, where WW miscalculated is in discounting the popularity of low-carb programs and not changing their image fast enough to keep up with the changing market. I wonder what would happen if WW found a man to be a spokesperson, along with Princess What's-her-name. Low carb diets appeal to men, I think. On Sun, 15 Aug 2004 21:57:52 GMT, "Laura" wrote: Got to wonder if the new plan will be aimed at low-carbers. http://money.excite.com/ht/nw/bus/20...n15562788.html SAN FRANCISCO/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Weight Watchers International Inc. (WTW) is hoping to reel in U.S. dieters disillusioned with low-carb plans like Atkins, though it remains to be seen if its new program will help revitalize battered profits and membership rolls. Missouri resident Camille McClean, who said she lost 20 pounds in three months on the Atkins diet but believes the plan put her in the hospital with a kidney infection, is precisely the kind of person Weight Watchers is looking for. McClean deserted Atkins for Weight Watchers and said in an interview she lost 95 pounds on the company's reduced-calorie "points" system, which does not forbid certain foods. Atkins Nutritionals said there was no evidence to suggest following the Atkins diet might cause a kidney infection. Weight Watchers is looking to capture the attention of what it hopes is a large number of consumers with experiences similar to McClean's and will roll out a new weight loss program later this month. "We are seeing all sorts of people, and more and more of them are people who have tried one low-carb diet or another," Eliot Glazer, Weight Watchers vice president of marketing, said in an interview. "People are prone to trying new things when it comes to weight loss." Yet whether more of these so-called low-carb refugees find a home at Weight Watchers is another question. The Woodbury, New York, company on Thursday said profit fell in the second quarter while acknowledging the low-carb craze may not be ebbing as quickly as it had forecast. Chief Executive Linda Huett told investors during a conference call on May 11 that she expected to see a growing number of low-carb refugees. Two days later Weight Watchers stock hit a two-year low of $31.83. MEETING ATTENDANCE STILL DOWN High-protein, low-carbohydrate regimens like the Atkins and South Beach diets have generated a massive following among weight-conscious U.S. consumers, though the craze has leveled off after peaking in January, said Harry Balzer, vice president at market research firm The NPD Group. About 7 percent of adult Americans now follow some kind of low-carb diet, down from a high of 9 percent, Balzer said. Yet attendance at Weight Watchers meetings in North America declined in the past quarter, spurring the company to narrow its profit forecast for the year. In the face of such membership declines, Weight Watchers hopes its new initiative will boost attendance by attracting dieters who are weary of shunning foods like bread and pasta. Atkins Chief Marketing Officer Matt Wiant said because of its meetings format, Weight Watchers will always be a haven for dieters who need social reinforcement to lose weight. He added that Atkins' own research showed that Weight Watchers' plan was not seen by consumers as being as effective as low-carb. "They are not turning to Weight Watchers for their nutritional brilliance," Wiant said. With Weight Watchers stock down nearly 30 percent since hitting an all-time high of $50.39 in 2002, Wall Street is eager to see results. One analyst expressed frustration that the company did not give specifics on the new plan during Thursday's quarterly conference call. "We were disappointed with the minimal level of detail provided on the conference call with respect to the new program," J.P. Morgan analyst Dina D'Amore said in a note to clients. "We would have liked to have heard more about the program to assess the potential opportunity." NPD Group's Balzer said he expects the low-carb craze to ease just as other weight loss plans have in a country where an estimated 60 percent of the population is overweight, according to government data. But even if the trend has peaked, Weight Watchers has said the popularity of low- and no-carb packaged food products have led to an increase in self-styled weight loss regimens that threaten the company's own line of branded food products. |
#3
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I sure hope they DO some marketing toward men.. Guys are fun to have in the
meeting room.. they bring a new perspective.. -- Will~ The problem with this world is stupidity, now I'm not saying there should be capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off everything and let the problem solve itself? "Prairie Roots" wrote in message ... With all the low-carb foods on the market, the restaurants that are adding low-carb items to their menus, and even WW putting out low-carb frozen dinners, it wouldn't surprise me that the new plan will target low-carbers. Even here on ASDWW, we get Atkins refugees, people looking for a way to have their potatoes and bread and fruit and the occasional indulgence. IMO, where WW miscalculated is in discounting the popularity of low-carb programs and not changing their image fast enough to keep up with the changing market. I wonder what would happen if WW found a man to be a spokesperson, along with Princess What's-her-name. Low carb diets appeal to men, I think. On Sun, 15 Aug 2004 21:57:52 GMT, "Laura" wrote: Got to wonder if the new plan will be aimed at low-carbers. http://money.excite.com/ht/nw/bus/20...n15562788.html SAN FRANCISCO/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Weight Watchers International Inc. (WTW) is hoping to reel in U.S. dieters disillusioned with low-carb plans like Atkins, though it remains to be seen if its new program will help revitalize battered profits and membership rolls. Missouri resident Camille McClean, who said she lost 20 pounds in three months on the Atkins diet but believes the plan put her in the hospital with a kidney infection, is precisely the kind of person Weight Watchers is looking for. McClean deserted Atkins for Weight Watchers and said in an interview she lost 95 pounds on the company's reduced-calorie "points" system, which does not forbid certain foods. Atkins Nutritionals said there was no evidence to suggest following the Atkins diet might cause a kidney infection. Weight Watchers is looking to capture the attention of what it hopes is a large number of consumers with experiences similar to McClean's and will roll out a new weight loss program later this month. "We are seeing all sorts of people, and more and more of them are people who have tried one low-carb diet or another," Eliot Glazer, Weight Watchers vice president of marketing, said in an interview. "People are prone to trying new things when it comes to weight loss." Yet whether more of these so-called low-carb refugees find a home at Weight Watchers is another question. The Woodbury, New York, company on Thursday said profit fell in the second quarter while acknowledging the low-carb craze may not be ebbing as quickly as it had forecast. Chief Executive Linda Huett told investors during a conference call on May 11 that she expected to see a growing number of low-carb refugees. Two days later Weight Watchers stock hit a two-year low of $31.83. MEETING ATTENDANCE STILL DOWN High-protein, low-carbohydrate regimens like the Atkins and South Beach diets have generated a massive following among weight-conscious U.S. consumers, though the craze has leveled off after peaking in January, said Harry Balzer, vice president at market research firm The NPD Group. About 7 percent of adult Americans now follow some kind of low-carb diet, down from a high of 9 percent, Balzer said. Yet attendance at Weight Watchers meetings in North America declined in the past quarter, spurring the company to narrow its profit forecast for the year. In the face of such membership declines, Weight Watchers hopes its new initiative will boost attendance by attracting dieters who are weary of shunning foods like bread and pasta. Atkins Chief Marketing Officer Matt Wiant said because of its meetings format, Weight Watchers will always be a haven for dieters who need social reinforcement to lose weight. He added that Atkins' own research showed that Weight Watchers' plan was not seen by consumers as being as effective as low-carb. "They are not turning to Weight Watchers for their nutritional brilliance," Wiant said. With Weight Watchers stock down nearly 30 percent since hitting an all-time high of $50.39 in 2002, Wall Street is eager to see results. One analyst expressed frustration that the company did not give specifics on the new plan during Thursday's quarterly conference call. "We were disappointed with the minimal level of detail provided on the conference call with respect to the new program," J.P. Morgan analyst Dina D'Amore said in a note to clients. "We would have liked to have heard more about the program to assess the potential opportunity." NPD Group's Balzer said he expects the low-carb craze to ease just as other weight loss plans have in a country where an estimated 60 percent of the population is overweight, according to government data. But even if the trend has peaked, Weight Watchers has said the popularity of low- and no-carb packaged food products have led to an increase in self-styled weight loss regimens that threaten the company's own line of branded food products. |
#4
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On Mon, 16 Aug 2004 17:47:39 GMT, "Willow"
wrote: I sure hope they DO some marketing toward men.. Guys are fun to have in the meeting room.. they bring a new perspective.. As a guy I was very uncomfortable at the meetings and felt like I wasn't welcome. Also I didn't like the complete lack of privacy. Talking with the leader, before or after the meeting, even for a minute was impossible. I stopped going. I'm hoping to find success by reading the posts here. -- Count |
#5
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It's sad really.. anyting that works for you is the right way I think.. but
have you tried going to another leader ? talking to the leader about your concern ? As for not being welcome... unfortunately sometimes it is true.. I don't know any leader (or staff) that wouldn't have guys around (as I said, they are an asset in a group).. but sometimes a FEW female members don't like to see men around.. like the guys are intruding or something.. I'd say for this.. as I'd say for anything else.. look up different meetings.. if one group doesn't work for you.. there's gonna be another that does ! But again.. whatever works for you is the best for you ) and of course.. you're most welcome in HERE !! ;o) -- Will~ The problem with this world is stupidity, now I'm not saying there should be capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off everything and let the problem solve itself? "Count" wrote in message ... On Mon, 16 Aug 2004 17:47:39 GMT, "Willow" wrote: I sure hope they DO some marketing toward men.. Guys are fun to have in the meeting room.. they bring a new perspective.. As a guy I was very uncomfortable at the meetings and felt like I wasn't welcome. Also I didn't like the complete lack of privacy. Talking with the leader, before or after the meeting, even for a minute was impossible. I stopped going. I'm hoping to find success by reading the posts here. -- Count |
#6
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Even the rewards that they give at meetings-charms and key chains have women
in mind. "Jeff Stuart" wrote in message ... I am doing WW totally online, but find it is really geared toward women. The site seems to refer a lot to "your husband" in sections. When they talk about rewarding yourself they talk about facials, manicures, pedicures, bubble baths... now I have nothing against those, but would rather go shop for tools . If they want to attract men to WW they need to change their marketing a bit. Jeff "Willow" wrote in message m... I sure hope they DO some marketing toward men.. Guys are fun to have in the meeting room.. they bring a new perspective.. -- Will~ The problem with this world is stupidity, now I'm not saying there should be capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off everything and let the problem solve itself? "Prairie Roots" wrote in message ... With all the low-carb foods on the market, the restaurants that are adding low-carb items to their menus, and even WW putting out low-carb frozen dinners, it wouldn't surprise me that the new plan will target low-carbers. Even here on ASDWW, we get Atkins refugees, people looking for a way to have their potatoes and bread and fruit and the occasional indulgence. IMO, where WW miscalculated is in discounting the popularity of low-carb programs and not changing their image fast enough to keep up with the changing market. I wonder what would happen if WW found a man to be a spokesperson, along with Princess What's-her-name. Low carb diets appeal to men, I think. On Sun, 15 Aug 2004 21:57:52 GMT, "Laura" wrote: Got to wonder if the new plan will be aimed at low-carbers. http://money.excite.com/ht/nw/bus/20...n15562788.html SAN FRANCISCO/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Weight Watchers International Inc. (WTW) is hoping to reel in U.S. dieters disillusioned with low-carb plans like Atkins, though it remains to be seen if its new program will help revitalize battered profits and membership rolls. Missouri resident Camille McClean, who said she lost 20 pounds in three months on the Atkins diet but believes the plan put her in the hospital with a kidney infection, is precisely the kind of person Weight Watchers is looking for. McClean deserted Atkins for Weight Watchers and said in an interview she lost 95 pounds on the company's reduced-calorie "points" system, which does not forbid certain foods. Atkins Nutritionals said there was no evidence to suggest following the Atkins diet might cause a kidney infection. Weight Watchers is looking to capture the attention of what it hopes is a large number of consumers with experiences similar to McClean's and will roll out a new weight loss program later this month. "We are seeing all sorts of people, and more and more of them are people who have tried one low-carb diet or another," Eliot Glazer, Weight Watchers vice president of marketing, said in an interview. "People are prone to trying new things when it comes to weight loss." Yet whether more of these so-called low-carb refugees find a home at Weight Watchers is another question. The Woodbury, New York, company on Thursday said profit fell in the second quarter while acknowledging the low-carb craze may not be ebbing as quickly as it had forecast. Chief Executive Linda Huett told investors during a conference call on May 11 that she expected to see a growing number of low-carb refugees. Two days later Weight Watchers stock hit a two-year low of $31.83. MEETING ATTENDANCE STILL DOWN High-protein, low-carbohydrate regimens like the Atkins and South Beach diets have generated a massive following among weight-conscious U.S. consumers, though the craze has leveled off after peaking in January, said Harry Balzer, vice president at market research firm The NPD Group. About 7 percent of adult Americans now follow some kind of low-carb diet, down from a high of 9 percent, Balzer said. Yet attendance at Weight Watchers meetings in North America declined in the past quarter, spurring the company to narrow its profit forecast for the year. In the face of such membership declines, Weight Watchers hopes its new initiative will boost attendance by attracting dieters who are weary of shunning foods like bread and pasta. Atkins Chief Marketing Officer Matt Wiant said because of its meetings format, Weight Watchers will always be a haven for dieters who need social reinforcement to lose weight. He added that Atkins' own research showed that Weight Watchers' plan was not seen by consumers as being as effective as low-carb. "They are not turning to Weight Watchers for their nutritional brilliance," Wiant said. With Weight Watchers stock down nearly 30 percent since hitting an all-time high of $50.39 in 2002, Wall Street is eager to see results. One analyst expressed frustration that the company did not give specifics on the new plan during Thursday's quarterly conference call. "We were disappointed with the minimal level of detail provided on the conference call with respect to the new program," J.P. Morgan analyst Dina D'Amore said in a note to clients. "We would have liked to have heard more about the program to assess the potential opportunity." NPD Group's Balzer said he expects the low-carb craze to ease just as other weight loss plans have in a country where an estimated 60 percent of the population is overweight, according to government data. But even if the trend has peaked, Weight Watchers has said the popularity of low- and no-carb packaged food products have led to an increase in self-styled weight loss regimens that threaten the company's own line of branded food products. |
#7
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You know what though ? most changes at WW comes from the members.. call the
1-800 line.. and complain.. that's what's rule the world ;o) You guys start a campain.. that would be fun ! -- Will~ The problem with this world is stupidity, now I'm not saying there should be capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off everything and let the problem solve itself? "Laura" wrote in message ... Even the rewards that they give at meetings-charms and key chains have women in mind. "Jeff Stuart" wrote in message ... I am doing WW totally online, but find it is really geared toward women. The site seems to refer a lot to "your husband" in sections. When they talk about rewarding yourself they talk about facials, manicures, pedicures, bubble baths... now I have nothing against those, but would rather go shop for tools . If they want to attract men to WW they need to change their marketing a bit. Jeff "Willow" wrote in message m... I sure hope they DO some marketing toward men.. Guys are fun to have in the meeting room.. they bring a new perspective.. -- Will~ The problem with this world is stupidity, now I'm not saying there should be capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off everything and let the problem solve itself? "Prairie Roots" wrote in message ... With all the low-carb foods on the market, the restaurants that are adding low-carb items to their menus, and even WW putting out low-carb frozen dinners, it wouldn't surprise me that the new plan will target low-carbers. Even here on ASDWW, we get Atkins refugees, people looking for a way to have their potatoes and bread and fruit and the occasional indulgence. IMO, where WW miscalculated is in discounting the popularity of low-carb programs and not changing their image fast enough to keep up with the changing market. I wonder what would happen if WW found a man to be a spokesperson, along with Princess What's-her-name. Low carb diets appeal to men, I think. On Sun, 15 Aug 2004 21:57:52 GMT, "Laura" wrote: Got to wonder if the new plan will be aimed at low-carbers. http://money.excite.com/ht/nw/bus/20...n15562788.html SAN FRANCISCO/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Weight Watchers International Inc. (WTW) is hoping to reel in U.S. dieters disillusioned with low-carb plans like Atkins, though it remains to be seen if its new program will help revitalize battered profits and membership rolls. Missouri resident Camille McClean, who said she lost 20 pounds in three months on the Atkins diet but believes the plan put her in the hospital with a kidney infection, is precisely the kind of person Weight Watchers is looking for. McClean deserted Atkins for Weight Watchers and said in an interview she lost 95 pounds on the company's reduced-calorie "points" system, which does not forbid certain foods. Atkins Nutritionals said there was no evidence to suggest following the Atkins diet might cause a kidney infection. Weight Watchers is looking to capture the attention of what it hopes is a large number of consumers with experiences similar to McClean's and will roll out a new weight loss program later this month. "We are seeing all sorts of people, and more and more of them are people who have tried one low-carb diet or another," Eliot Glazer, Weight Watchers vice president of marketing, said in an interview. "People are prone to trying new things when it comes to weight loss." Yet whether more of these so-called low-carb refugees find a home at Weight Watchers is another question. The Woodbury, New York, company on Thursday said profit fell in the second quarter while acknowledging the low-carb craze may not be ebbing as quickly as it had forecast. Chief Executive Linda Huett told investors during a conference call on May 11 that she expected to see a growing number of low-carb refugees. Two days later Weight Watchers stock hit a two-year low of $31.83. MEETING ATTENDANCE STILL DOWN High-protein, low-carbohydrate regimens like the Atkins and South Beach diets have generated a massive following among weight-conscious U.S. consumers, though the craze has leveled off after peaking in January, said Harry Balzer, vice president at market research firm The NPD Group. About 7 percent of adult Americans now follow some kind of low-carb diet, down from a high of 9 percent, Balzer said. Yet attendance at Weight Watchers meetings in North America declined in the past quarter, spurring the company to narrow its profit forecast for the year. In the face of such membership declines, Weight Watchers hopes its new initiative will boost attendance by attracting dieters who are weary of shunning foods like bread and pasta. Atkins Chief Marketing Officer Matt Wiant said because of its meetings format, Weight Watchers will always be a haven for dieters who need social reinforcement to lose weight. He added that Atkins' own research showed that Weight Watchers' plan was not seen by consumers as being as effective as low-carb. "They are not turning to Weight Watchers for their nutritional brilliance," Wiant said. With Weight Watchers stock down nearly 30 percent since hitting an all-time high of $50.39 in 2002, Wall Street is eager to see results. One analyst expressed frustration that the company did not give specifics on the new plan during Thursday's quarterly conference call. "We were disappointed with the minimal level of detail provided on the conference call with respect to the new program," J.P. Morgan analyst Dina D'Amore said in a note to clients. "We would have liked to have heard more about the program to assess the potential opportunity." NPD Group's Balzer said he expects the low-carb craze to ease just as other weight loss plans have in a country where an estimated 60 percent of the population is overweight, according to government data. But even if the trend has peaked, Weight Watchers has said the popularity of low- and no-carb packaged food products have led to an increase in self-styled weight loss regimens that threaten the company's own line of branded food products. |
#8
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You know what though ? most changes at WW comes from the members.. call the
1-800 line.. and complain.. that's what's rule the world ;o) You guys start a campain.. that would be fun ! -- Will~ The problem with this world is stupidity, now I'm not saying there should be capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off everything and let the problem solve itself? "Laura" wrote in message ... Even the rewards that they give at meetings-charms and key chains have women in mind. "Jeff Stuart" wrote in message ... I am doing WW totally online, but find it is really geared toward women. The site seems to refer a lot to "your husband" in sections. When they talk about rewarding yourself they talk about facials, manicures, pedicures, bubble baths... now I have nothing against those, but would rather go shop for tools . If they want to attract men to WW they need to change their marketing a bit. Jeff "Willow" wrote in message m... I sure hope they DO some marketing toward men.. Guys are fun to have in the meeting room.. they bring a new perspective.. -- Will~ The problem with this world is stupidity, now I'm not saying there should be capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off everything and let the problem solve itself? "Prairie Roots" wrote in message ... With all the low-carb foods on the market, the restaurants that are adding low-carb items to their menus, and even WW putting out low-carb frozen dinners, it wouldn't surprise me that the new plan will target low-carbers. Even here on ASDWW, we get Atkins refugees, people looking for a way to have their potatoes and bread and fruit and the occasional indulgence. IMO, where WW miscalculated is in discounting the popularity of low-carb programs and not changing their image fast enough to keep up with the changing market. I wonder what would happen if WW found a man to be a spokesperson, along with Princess What's-her-name. Low carb diets appeal to men, I think. On Sun, 15 Aug 2004 21:57:52 GMT, "Laura" wrote: Got to wonder if the new plan will be aimed at low-carbers. http://money.excite.com/ht/nw/bus/20...n15562788.html SAN FRANCISCO/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Weight Watchers International Inc. (WTW) is hoping to reel in U.S. dieters disillusioned with low-carb plans like Atkins, though it remains to be seen if its new program will help revitalize battered profits and membership rolls. Missouri resident Camille McClean, who said she lost 20 pounds in three months on the Atkins diet but believes the plan put her in the hospital with a kidney infection, is precisely the kind of person Weight Watchers is looking for. McClean deserted Atkins for Weight Watchers and said in an interview she lost 95 pounds on the company's reduced-calorie "points" system, which does not forbid certain foods. Atkins Nutritionals said there was no evidence to suggest following the Atkins diet might cause a kidney infection. Weight Watchers is looking to capture the attention of what it hopes is a large number of consumers with experiences similar to McClean's and will roll out a new weight loss program later this month. "We are seeing all sorts of people, and more and more of them are people who have tried one low-carb diet or another," Eliot Glazer, Weight Watchers vice president of marketing, said in an interview. "People are prone to trying new things when it comes to weight loss." Yet whether more of these so-called low-carb refugees find a home at Weight Watchers is another question. The Woodbury, New York, company on Thursday said profit fell in the second quarter while acknowledging the low-carb craze may not be ebbing as quickly as it had forecast. Chief Executive Linda Huett told investors during a conference call on May 11 that she expected to see a growing number of low-carb refugees. Two days later Weight Watchers stock hit a two-year low of $31.83. MEETING ATTENDANCE STILL DOWN High-protein, low-carbohydrate regimens like the Atkins and South Beach diets have generated a massive following among weight-conscious U.S. consumers, though the craze has leveled off after peaking in January, said Harry Balzer, vice president at market research firm The NPD Group. About 7 percent of adult Americans now follow some kind of low-carb diet, down from a high of 9 percent, Balzer said. Yet attendance at Weight Watchers meetings in North America declined in the past quarter, spurring the company to narrow its profit forecast for the year. In the face of such membership declines, Weight Watchers hopes its new initiative will boost attendance by attracting dieters who are weary of shunning foods like bread and pasta. Atkins Chief Marketing Officer Matt Wiant said because of its meetings format, Weight Watchers will always be a haven for dieters who need social reinforcement to lose weight. He added that Atkins' own research showed that Weight Watchers' plan was not seen by consumers as being as effective as low-carb. "They are not turning to Weight Watchers for their nutritional brilliance," Wiant said. With Weight Watchers stock down nearly 30 percent since hitting an all-time high of $50.39 in 2002, Wall Street is eager to see results. One analyst expressed frustration that the company did not give specifics on the new plan during Thursday's quarterly conference call. "We were disappointed with the minimal level of detail provided on the conference call with respect to the new program," J.P. Morgan analyst Dina D'Amore said in a note to clients. "We would have liked to have heard more about the program to assess the potential opportunity." NPD Group's Balzer said he expects the low-carb craze to ease just as other weight loss plans have in a country where an estimated 60 percent of the population is overweight, according to government data. But even if the trend has peaked, Weight Watchers has said the popularity of low- and no-carb packaged food products have led to an increase in self-styled weight loss regimens that threaten the company's own line of branded food products. |
#9
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oh, I get it... maybe only women become overweight, hah
Jeff "Willow" wrote in message m... You know what though ? most changes at WW comes from the members.. call the 1-800 line.. and complain.. that's what's rule the world ;o) You guys start a campain.. that would be fun ! -- Will~ The problem with this world is stupidity, now I'm not saying there should be capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off everything and let the problem solve itself? "Laura" wrote in message ... Even the rewards that they give at meetings-charms and key chains have women in mind. "Jeff Stuart" wrote in message ... I am doing WW totally online, but find it is really geared toward women. The site seems to refer a lot to "your husband" in sections. When they talk about rewarding yourself they talk about facials, manicures, pedicures, bubble baths... now I have nothing against those, but would rather go shop for tools . If they want to attract men to WW they need to change their marketing a bit. Jeff "Willow" wrote in message m... I sure hope they DO some marketing toward men.. Guys are fun to have in the meeting room.. they bring a new perspective.. -- Will~ The problem with this world is stupidity, now I'm not saying there should be capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off everything and let the problem solve itself? "Prairie Roots" wrote in message ... With all the low-carb foods on the market, the restaurants that are adding low-carb items to their menus, and even WW putting out low-carb frozen dinners, it wouldn't surprise me that the new plan will target low-carbers. Even here on ASDWW, we get Atkins refugees, people looking for a way to have their potatoes and bread and fruit and the occasional indulgence. IMO, where WW miscalculated is in discounting the popularity of low-carb programs and not changing their image fast enough to keep up with the changing market. I wonder what would happen if WW found a man to be a spokesperson, along with Princess What's-her-name. Low carb diets appeal to men, I think. On Sun, 15 Aug 2004 21:57:52 GMT, "Laura" wrote: Got to wonder if the new plan will be aimed at low-carbers. http://money.excite.com/ht/nw/bus/20...n15562788.html SAN FRANCISCO/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Weight Watchers International Inc. (WTW) is hoping to reel in U.S. dieters disillusioned with low-carb plans like Atkins, though it remains to be seen if its new program will help revitalize battered profits and membership rolls. Missouri resident Camille McClean, who said she lost 20 pounds in three months on the Atkins diet but believes the plan put her in the hospital with a kidney infection, is precisely the kind of person Weight Watchers is looking for. McClean deserted Atkins for Weight Watchers and said in an interview she lost 95 pounds on the company's reduced-calorie "points" system, which does not forbid certain foods. Atkins Nutritionals said there was no evidence to suggest following the Atkins diet might cause a kidney infection. Weight Watchers is looking to capture the attention of what it hopes is a large number of consumers with experiences similar to McClean's and will roll out a new weight loss program later this month. "We are seeing all sorts of people, and more and more of them are people who have tried one low-carb diet or another," Eliot Glazer, Weight Watchers vice president of marketing, said in an interview. "People are prone to trying new things when it comes to weight loss." Yet whether more of these so-called low-carb refugees find a home at Weight Watchers is another question. The Woodbury, New York, company on Thursday said profit fell in the second quarter while acknowledging the low-carb craze may not be ebbing as quickly as it had forecast. Chief Executive Linda Huett told investors during a conference call on May 11 that she expected to see a growing number of low-carb refugees. Two days later Weight Watchers stock hit a two-year low of $31.83. MEETING ATTENDANCE STILL DOWN High-protein, low-carbohydrate regimens like the Atkins and South Beach diets have generated a massive following among weight-conscious U.S. consumers, though the craze has leveled off after peaking in January, said Harry Balzer, vice president at market research firm The NPD Group. About 7 percent of adult Americans now follow some kind of low-carb diet, down from a high of 9 percent, Balzer said. Yet attendance at Weight Watchers meetings in North America declined in the past quarter, spurring the company to narrow its profit forecast for the year. In the face of such membership declines, Weight Watchers hopes its new initiative will boost attendance by attracting dieters who are weary of shunning foods like bread and pasta. Atkins Chief Marketing Officer Matt Wiant said because of its meetings format, Weight Watchers will always be a haven for dieters who need social reinforcement to lose weight. He added that Atkins' own research showed that Weight Watchers' plan was not seen by consumers as being as effective as low-carb. "They are not turning to Weight Watchers for their nutritional brilliance," Wiant said. With Weight Watchers stock down nearly 30 percent since hitting an all-time high of $50.39 in 2002, Wall Street is eager to see results. One analyst expressed frustration that the company did not give specifics on the new plan during Thursday's quarterly conference call. "We were disappointed with the minimal level of detail provided on the conference call with respect to the new program," J.P. Morgan analyst Dina D'Amore said in a note to clients. "We would have liked to have heard more about the program to assess the potential opportunity." NPD Group's Balzer said he expects the low-carb craze to ease just as other weight loss plans have in a country where an estimated 60 percent of the population is overweight, according to government data. But even if the trend has peaked, Weight Watchers has said the popularity of low- and no-carb packaged food products have led to an increase in self-styled weight loss regimens that threaten the company's own line of branded food products. |
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oh, I get it... maybe only women become overweight, hah
Jeff "Willow" wrote in message m... You know what though ? most changes at WW comes from the members.. call the 1-800 line.. and complain.. that's what's rule the world ;o) You guys start a campain.. that would be fun ! -- Will~ The problem with this world is stupidity, now I'm not saying there should be capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off everything and let the problem solve itself? "Laura" wrote in message ... Even the rewards that they give at meetings-charms and key chains have women in mind. "Jeff Stuart" wrote in message ... I am doing WW totally online, but find it is really geared toward women. The site seems to refer a lot to "your husband" in sections. When they talk about rewarding yourself they talk about facials, manicures, pedicures, bubble baths... now I have nothing against those, but would rather go shop for tools . If they want to attract men to WW they need to change their marketing a bit. Jeff "Willow" wrote in message m... I sure hope they DO some marketing toward men.. Guys are fun to have in the meeting room.. they bring a new perspective.. -- Will~ The problem with this world is stupidity, now I'm not saying there should be capital punishment for stupidity, but why don't we just take the safety labels off everything and let the problem solve itself? "Prairie Roots" wrote in message ... With all the low-carb foods on the market, the restaurants that are adding low-carb items to their menus, and even WW putting out low-carb frozen dinners, it wouldn't surprise me that the new plan will target low-carbers. Even here on ASDWW, we get Atkins refugees, people looking for a way to have their potatoes and bread and fruit and the occasional indulgence. IMO, where WW miscalculated is in discounting the popularity of low-carb programs and not changing their image fast enough to keep up with the changing market. I wonder what would happen if WW found a man to be a spokesperson, along with Princess What's-her-name. Low carb diets appeal to men, I think. On Sun, 15 Aug 2004 21:57:52 GMT, "Laura" wrote: Got to wonder if the new plan will be aimed at low-carbers. http://money.excite.com/ht/nw/bus/20...n15562788.html SAN FRANCISCO/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Weight Watchers International Inc. (WTW) is hoping to reel in U.S. dieters disillusioned with low-carb plans like Atkins, though it remains to be seen if its new program will help revitalize battered profits and membership rolls. Missouri resident Camille McClean, who said she lost 20 pounds in three months on the Atkins diet but believes the plan put her in the hospital with a kidney infection, is precisely the kind of person Weight Watchers is looking for. McClean deserted Atkins for Weight Watchers and said in an interview she lost 95 pounds on the company's reduced-calorie "points" system, which does not forbid certain foods. Atkins Nutritionals said there was no evidence to suggest following the Atkins diet might cause a kidney infection. Weight Watchers is looking to capture the attention of what it hopes is a large number of consumers with experiences similar to McClean's and will roll out a new weight loss program later this month. "We are seeing all sorts of people, and more and more of them are people who have tried one low-carb diet or another," Eliot Glazer, Weight Watchers vice president of marketing, said in an interview. "People are prone to trying new things when it comes to weight loss." Yet whether more of these so-called low-carb refugees find a home at Weight Watchers is another question. The Woodbury, New York, company on Thursday said profit fell in the second quarter while acknowledging the low-carb craze may not be ebbing as quickly as it had forecast. Chief Executive Linda Huett told investors during a conference call on May 11 that she expected to see a growing number of low-carb refugees. Two days later Weight Watchers stock hit a two-year low of $31.83. MEETING ATTENDANCE STILL DOWN High-protein, low-carbohydrate regimens like the Atkins and South Beach diets have generated a massive following among weight-conscious U.S. consumers, though the craze has leveled off after peaking in January, said Harry Balzer, vice president at market research firm The NPD Group. About 7 percent of adult Americans now follow some kind of low-carb diet, down from a high of 9 percent, Balzer said. Yet attendance at Weight Watchers meetings in North America declined in the past quarter, spurring the company to narrow its profit forecast for the year. In the face of such membership declines, Weight Watchers hopes its new initiative will boost attendance by attracting dieters who are weary of shunning foods like bread and pasta. Atkins Chief Marketing Officer Matt Wiant said because of its meetings format, Weight Watchers will always be a haven for dieters who need social reinforcement to lose weight. He added that Atkins' own research showed that Weight Watchers' plan was not seen by consumers as being as effective as low-carb. "They are not turning to Weight Watchers for their nutritional brilliance," Wiant said. With Weight Watchers stock down nearly 30 percent since hitting an all-time high of $50.39 in 2002, Wall Street is eager to see results. One analyst expressed frustration that the company did not give specifics on the new plan during Thursday's quarterly conference call. "We were disappointed with the minimal level of detail provided on the conference call with respect to the new program," J.P. Morgan analyst Dina D'Amore said in a note to clients. "We would have liked to have heard more about the program to assess the potential opportunity." NPD Group's Balzer said he expects the low-carb craze to ease just as other weight loss plans have in a country where an estimated 60 percent of the population is overweight, according to government data. But even if the trend has peaked, Weight Watchers has said the popularity of low- and no-carb packaged food products have led to an increase in self-styled weight loss regimens that threaten the company's own line of branded food products. |
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