WeightWatchers 2008 Annual Report Download - page 10

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in need by replenishing dwindling resources in food
banks, which are especially stressed during these
diffi cult economic times.
Lose for Good was a major success: our members
lost over 4 million pounds during the six-week
campaign. We conducted over 2,000 food drives
across the country, thanks to our employees donating
their time, and our members personally donated
over 1.5 million pounds of food. We also matched
the members’ donations by contributing $1 million
to two hunger-fi ghting charitable organizations –
Share Our Strength and Action Against Hunger. I
cannot express how gratifi ed and pleased I am by
the amazing level of participation and enthusiasm
displayed by our service providers and members
during the campaign; they heard the call to not only
help themselves to a healthier life but to help others
who can’t help themselves. At its heart, the culture of
Weight Watchers is based upon giving members the
resources, inspiration and support to help themselves.
Lose for Good was a natural fi t with this philosophy
and, simply put, the right thing to do.
As we enter 2009, weakening economic conditions
are taking a toll on consumers and businesses
globally. We are taking this opportunity to refocus,
prioritize our goals and resources, and fi nd new
ways to operate more effi ciently. We will be agile
and disciplined in our approach. Due to our
compelling customer value proposition, combined
with our strong fi nancial position and solid cash fl ow
generation, we will emerge from this downturn as an
even stronger company.
Through our unwavering commitment to our core
values, we will continue to deliver healthy and
sustainable weight management solutions to people
worldwide. I would like to thank all of our members
and subscribers, service providers, employees,
directors and shareholders for their dedication and
service throughout the year. I look forward to the
many successes and opportunities that lie ahead
as we execute our strategy and further build on the
market leading position of Weight Watchers for many
years to come.
Sincerely,
David P. Kirchhoff
President & Chief Executive Offi cer