Tag Archives: marketing

Nutrisystem Names Dawn Zier the Company’s First Female CEO

Weight loss leader Nutrisystem has announced a major organizational change today. According to a press release we received from the company, Dawn M. Zier will be assuming the role of president and CEO, replacing Joe Redling, who announced he’d be stepping down in April of this year. She will also be fulfilling his place on the board of directors. Zier will become the company’s first female CEO.

Ms. Zier has a start date of November 15, 2024; while Mr. Redling will exit the company on November 9, 2024 throughout he release of Nutrisystem’s third-quarter financial results. David Clark, Nutrisystem’s CFO, will be the interim CFO during the gap. Earnings so far have been modest for the brand, as in both Q1 and Q2 the Nutrisystem board of directors declared a 17.5 cent per-share value.

“I think this will have a short-term, if small, positive effect on the stock price and a longer-term hopeful trend up as shareholders process this,” Sarah Gilbert told us, a financial blogger with Wall Street experience.

John LaRosa, with 20 years of experience tracking and analyzing diet programs at MarketData, told us “NutriSystem is still struggling in terms of sales. I think their [Q2] report was for guidance of very moderate growth for the year 2024. Maybe Joe Redling has read the writing on the wall and wanted to get out before a disappointing Q3 earnings report came out.” LaRosa also mentioned that the company’s head of marketing left Nutrisystem last year for ServiceMaster.

In the company’s press release about her hiring, Zier outlines what looks like an aggressive  job description that will make her popular with the board of directors and customers, too.

“Joining Nutrisystem is a wonderful opportunity for me personally, and the logical next step in my career,” said Ms. Zier in the press release. “The company has a strong portfolio of products that help consumers lose weight, improve their health, and live better lives. It has significant name recognition as a result of several decades of marketing investment in the brand. And it’s universally seen as one of the leaders in the weight loss sector.”

Any question about what her direction at Nutrisystem will be was made clear in her statement that the meal-delivery service can expect a lot of positively-driven change in the coming months and years. “With a fresh and creative approach to the consumer, a thoughtful eye to new product development, and a careful effort to contain costs, I believe we can improve financial performance and build shareholder value,” said Zier. (more…)

Posted on November 5, 2023 by Natalie K

The 7 Best Gluten-Free Brands in this Booming $4.2 Billion Food Industry

Whether it’s for an intolerance or simply to try out the latest diet fad, going gluten-free has become quite the money maker for brands this year. The Los Angeles Times reported this morning that the gluten-free industry looks to hit a value of $4.2 billion in 2024.

The report from Packaged Stats stated that the booming gluten-free industry has grown at a compound annual rate of 28% since 2024 and that it looks to be valued at $6.6 billion by 2024.

This growth in the popular diet choice translates to two out of every 10 adults in America going gluten free. That’s a lot of people shopping for those unique items in the grocery store. Even a few years ago these brands were obscure and hard to find on most shelves. Today, the options are plentiful. Now the only issue comes with finding the ones that taste the best and won’t break the bank.

Gluten-free foods, typically breads, crackers, and baking mixes, tend to be drier than their wheat flour counterparts and are usually more expensive. Thankfully, the boom has changed that. Many products are exceptional in taste and many are comparable in value as well.

Here are 7 of the best gluten-free brands that you should be able to find in most grocery stores.

1. Udi’s

One of the biggest challenges in going gluten-free is giving up bread. Even a few years ago, the typical gluten-free bread option was not very appetizing. Thanks to Udi’s there’s an option for those who just want a normal sandwich or toast. They sell some of the best bread in the GF market, in addition to great pizza crusts, buns, muffins, and even cookies. (more…)

Posted on October 24, 2023 by Lacy

Pizza Hut’s 4 Million Calorie Debate Stunt Gets Slammed

Let’s hear it for Pizza Hut for trying to turn an already messy election year in to a circus stunt for entertainment. Utterly ridiculous news broke this week when Pizza Hut announced they’d give a large pizza every week for 30 years to the person who dared ask President Obama and Mr. Romney “pepperoni or sausage” during tonight’s town hall debate.

First of all, it’s a blatant disregard for our political system and the serious answers American voters are seeking in tonight’s second and final debate between the two presidential candidates.

As should come as no surprise from a company responsible for a hot dog stuffed pizza, it’s also a gluttonous promotion to keep making our nation fatter. Maybe we should understand more about their health care policies, since Pizza Hut, one of America’s top brands, is also a culprit in our obesity epidemic.

Just a single slice of their large hand-tossed pepperoni pizza has 330 calories, 14 grams of fat and 910 grams of sodium. That’s almost an entire meal’s worth of calories in just one piece of pizza, not to mention the near day’s worth of sodium. Consider most people eat two to four slices at a time and you’re looking at 660 to 1320 calories every week.

The company is now backtracking after meeting with some deserved backlash. A statement said they are taking their “pizza party” online and will ask people to vote online – pepperoni or sausage – and draw one random winner. The winner will still have the option of 1560 free large pizzas (or one every week for 30 years), or a cash equivalent payout of $15,600.

We say take the cash; you’ll need that money otherwise to burn off the four million calories you stand to consume in pizza alone over the next 30 years. (more…)

Posted on October 16, 2023 by Natalie K

Some of America’s Top Brands are Leading Culprits in the Obesity Epidemic

You know advertising is a big deal when there’s such a thing as Advertising Week in the U.S. While few consumers took note, the event is happening this week in New York with the goal of identifying how brands sold by marketers can produce better business results.

A study released yesterday identified which brands are the most powerful and how they’re getting it right. Additionally, the study pointed out the problems of brands whose value is on the decline.

As reported by Yahoo Finance, the study is the 13th annual Best Global Brands report from Interbrand – an Omnicon Group-owned brand consulting company. The result of the study was a ranking of the top 100 most valuable brands based on measures such as financial performance, how the brand influences consumer choices, and its ability to boost its parent company’s earnings.

The best global brands of 2024 include 1) Coca-Cola, 2) Apple, 3) IBM, 4) Google and 5) Microsoft. Ferrari and Gap round out the list in slots 99 and 100, respectively.

Of the ranking, Christine Fruecthe, president and chief executive at Colle and McVoy advertising agency, believes companies should take note as to what works and what doesn’t when it comes to marketing and advertising their brand. “When we put together advertising programs, we’re constantly keeping in mind how to add shareholder value,” she said during the Advertising Week panel on Monday. “We want to have a tangible impact on the client’s business or service.”

As an example of their work, Colle and McVoy pointed to their client Caribou Coffee Company whose share value has risen from $1.17 to $18 since beginning work with the agency. The message here? Advertising is powerful, and when done well, it works.

Coca-Cola knows this. The soda company was ranked number one again for the 13th consecutive year. Its estimated brand value? $77.8 billion, up 8 percent from the 2024 report. Coca-Cola executive vice president and chief marketing commercial officer Joseph Tripodi believes this success is due to effective ads, which he suspects will help Coca-Cola increase its revenue from $95 billion in 2024 to $200 billion in 2024. (more…)

Posted on October 3, 2023 by Dana

Under Armour Asks Women to Define “What’s Beautiful”

There are so many challenge-based fitness programs out on the web and they are proving to be effective for many people. Accountability and encouragement seem to be the magic ingredient for many people to stay motivated. Under Armour has gotten in on this trend by introducing “What’s Beautiful,” a promotion encouraging women to set goals, share the process, and hopefully meet them. Oh, and they’re giving away sweet prizes along the way.

The process is very simple. At the What’s Beautiful site, any woman can set a fitness goal, any goal, and begin her journey to victory. They are asked to document the process by sharing photos and video on the Under Armour site. During the journey they are also encouraged to choose one of the daily challenges set by Under Armour trainers. As these challenges are documented, users can cheer on others who are working hard, too. Then, at the end of each week, Under Armour will give away swag bags full of gear to the women who they say, “are seriously bringing it.”

This weekly challenge and goal setting promotion is on until the end of November. At the end of that month, ten finalists will be chosen as the winning athletes, those who’ve documented what Under Armour sees as the most impressive, motivated, and monumental stories. These deserving ten women will win a trip to Clearwater, Florida to train with the elite Under Armour trainers. That is where the some of the top athletes in the world go to enhance their performances. In addition to the amazing training sessions, the winners will be treated to sessions with nutrition experts and spa treatments. (more…)

Posted on October 3, 2023 by Lacy

Yogurt Summit Primes New York to Become The Yogurt State

If you’re a dairy farmer or yogurt manufacturer, then consider being in Albany, New York on August 15 for what is likely the state’s (or any for that matter) first yogurt summit. The state’s governor, Andrew Cuomo, recognizes the booming business that could potentially grow New York’s economy more than it already has.

“The state will look at regulations and laws that could get in the way of farmers providing more milk and manufacturers making yogurt,” explained an AP News release.

“Chobani strongly supports Governor Cuomo in his charge to continue to grow the New York State economy and help industries who are making a difference in doing so like Greek yogurt,” Chobani, leading Greek yogurt brand in the country, told us in an email.

The brand plans to be in attendance at the summit later this month, and says “We’re proud to be a part of the Greek yogurt boom in New York State and are committed to building the industry by supporting our farmers and local community and continually investing in our Chenango County production plant.” (more…)

Posted on August 3, 2023 by Natalie K

Best Olympics Commercial: Nike’s Find Your Greatness Jogger

The Olympics is all about being inspired, and outside of the pool or the balance beam tonight, anyone watching got a heavy dose. It happened when a 12-year-old boy went running alone up a deserted road, staring straight in to the camera, with sweat dripping from his grey T-shirt. With all of the TV commercials trying their darndest to capture millions of viewers during the Olympic coverage, none has struck a chord the way Nike did in its true-to-form minimalist message.

The spot simply says “Find Your Greatness.” For Nathan, from London, Ohio, he does so every time he laces up those running shoes at dawn instead of sleeping in before school. Nathan’s greatness is in the strength he discovers he possesses at the end of each and every one of those runs.

The script for the ad reads:

Greatness.

It’s just something we made up. (more…)

Posted on July 31, 2023 by Natalie K

Katy Perry is Popchips’ New Pop Star Endorser

A pop star signed to be the spokesperson for Popchips! Today’s news that Katy Perry will now be representing the “healthy” chip brand seems like a pretty perfect match. As perfect a match as salt, vinegar, and crispy potatoes.

More and more music stars are branching out from behind the microphone these days and creating personal brands that extend from perfume to clothes, and apparently potato chips. In a press release from the brand they name Perry as not only a new celebrity representative but also an investor. The singer will be working with them as a creative partner.

She isn’t the first famous face to enjoy this tasty snack. Ashton Kutcher is featured in advertisements for the brand; Katy’s face will start donning ads this fall. The campaign will be their first national advertising push, and “will combine Katy’s unique style and personality with our mission to put the fun back in snacking,” said a release at Popchips.com. (more…)

Posted on July 25, 2023 by Natalie K

A “Bad Mom” Speaks Out: Keep Cartoon Characters on the Screen and Off My Kid’s Food

Did you know I’m a bad mom? Yep, I am. I won’t buy the yogurt tubes that look like light sabers from Star Wars. Oh, I also won’t buy the macaroni boxes that have noodles shaped like Phineas and Ferb. And to top it off, I won’t buy the apple slices with caramel dip that have Mickey Mouse on the package. My son doesn’t even bother to ask because he knows I’ll say no. So, clearly, I’m a bad mom, and I’m OK with that.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against the cartoon characters, I’m just against the food most of them are marketing. My child is left to have yogurt that doesn’t contain high fructose corn syrup, macaroni and cheese that is made with real cheese and a whole grain pasta, and he knows that caramel is a special treat not a lunchbox staple. Again, if this makes me a bad mom, so be it. I actually hate that I can’t buy the “fun” snacks for my son, but us bad moms have to stick to our principles.

It comes as no surprise that a recent Yale study concluded that cartoon characters on food packages makes children believe the food inside actually tastes better. This study was published in the July issue of the Journal of Pediatrics. The study documented how children were given the choice of graham crackers, gummy fruits, or carrots – once in a plain package and once in a package containing images of Scooby-Doo, Dora, or Shrek. Guess which foods the children said tasted better? Same food, in a cartoon wrapper was the clear winner. (more…)

Posted on July 25, 2023 by Lacy

Biggest Loser and Body by Vi Have No Partnership, According to NBC

One of the biggest diet trends to happen in a while is Body by Vi, a meal replacement shake weight loss plan that thrives because of its multi-level marketing (MLM) business model (aka pyramid scheme). The brand has a huge following, and this week sounded like it was poised to gain even more with news of a Biggest Loser tie-in.

When the most popular reality show on TV syncs with a wildly popular diet brand, you’d think it would be a perfect marketing marriage. But that’s not the case. Rumors have been swirling that the two brands were partnering, so we had to look in to it. Turns out, the news is just a misunderstood rumor.

“There is no partnership between the show and this company,” the press representative for Biggest Loser at NBC told us this evening. (more…)

Posted on July 19, 2023 by Natalie K

Disney’s Ban on Junk Food Ads is a Game Changer. Can Other Networks Keep Up?

By Abra Pappa

The landscape of morning cartoons is about to look a lot different, as they will no longer be aligned with ad campaigns for sugary cereals, fast food, or candy. At least on stations owned by Disney. In an announcement made last week the Walt Disney Co will ban junk food advertising on its television channels, radio stations and websites by 2024.

A step in the right direction? Absolutely. Disney is the first company to choose to self-regulate where government standards have failed to exist.

One-third of our nation’s children are obese and the numbers keep rising. Many experts believe that media and marketing influence is contributing to the problem.

Margo Wootan, director of nutrition policy for the Center for Science in the Public Interest, which has been a long time advocate for restricting junk food marketing for children, commended Disney for taking these steps and called on other networks to follow suit.

“Disney’s announcement is welcome news to parents and health experts concerned about childhood obesity and nutrition,” Wootan said. “This puts Disney ahead of the pack of media outlets and should be a wake-up call to Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network to do the same. As a nation, all companies should be working toward promoting only healthy food through all forms of child-directed media.” (more…)

Posted on June 13, 2023 by Nutritious_America