It just wasn’t enough for Weight Watchers International to overhaul its entire calorie-counting scheme earlier this year with the introduction of the Points Plus system.

And, apparently, it wasn’t enough for Weight Watchers management to see brand ambassador Jennifer Hudson heap high praise on the brand and its approach. “Now I’ve lost weight, my voice is getting back to a [better] state,” she said.

So now, Weight Watchers is really turning its weight-loss positioning in a new direction — by going after men.Continue reading...

As summer follows spring, so diet season follows the holidays. In this new year, major weight-loss program brands are coming out with some makeovers of their own as they vie for the business of helping realize all those new year's resolutions.

Jenny Craig recently launched its biggest program overhaul ever. Metabolic Max, as touted by celebrity endorser Sara Rue, places a greater emphasis on exercise, with an armband and software designed to help clients monitor and increase activity. The changes are based on research that shows that people who self-monitor are more successful in losing weight.

Jenny Craig's new campaign comes on the heels of Weight Watchers revamped Points Plus program, touted by Weight Watchers success story Jennifer Hudson.Continue reading...

Standing up may be the last thing that moms-to-be want, but Huggies is finding that stand-up wins over those with a sense of humor.

Huggies UK has just launched a digital campaign that goes straight to the funny bone. Hosted on the "Bump on Board" section of the Huggies Club website, the 3-minute clips feature comic performances from British celebrities including Father Ted star Ardal O’Hanlon, and rising comics Kerry Godliman and Lucy Porter.

The videos were taped at a brand-hosted stand-up comedy event for British ‘mums-to-be’ titled ‘Little bundle of laughs,’ and the brand's hope is they will go viral via Huggies’ YouTube and Facebook pages.Continue reading...

Having made a global success of its probiotic dairy products including Activia yogurt in the U.S., where actress Jaime Lee Curtis is the face of the brand, Groupe Danone is hoping to replicate the feat with fruit juices and other fruit-based products around the world.

The Paris-based yogurt giant is acquiring a 51% stake in Probi AB of Sweden and has signed a 10-year agreement to give it exclusive rights to use Probi’s probiotic technology in fruit drinks outside of North America.

Is Danone ready to strengthen more guts worldwide?Continue reading...