Oprah

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#886
I don't really know why people find it so hard to understand that they hang out all the time. I'd imagine that someone of Oprah's level of fame would have a hard time finding people to trust. Perhaps having someone like Gayle around all the time is crucial to maintaining some kind of stability.

Also at this point they're as much a brand together as they are apart... so there is some kind of financial/image benefit to be had.
 
#887
Oprah Winfrey's $43M Bet on Weight Watchers





:shocked: daaaaaaaamn!!!!





Weight Watchers may be Oprah Winfrey's newest "favorite thing." Shares of Weight Watchers skyrocketed by as much as 90 percent with today's news that Winfrey bought a 10 percent stake in the company and has joined its board.
The media mogul, 61, bought 6.4 million shares of Weight Watchers at Friday's closing price of $6.49. The deal was worth more than $43 million.






Winfrey said in a statement, "Weight Watchers has given me the tools to begin to make the lasting shift that I and so many of us who are struggling with weight have longed for. I believe in the program so much I decided to invest in the company and partner in its evolution."




"Through our conversations, it became clear that there is tremendous alignment between Oprah's intention and our mission," said Jim Chambers, Weight Watchers president and CEO, said in a statement. "We believe that her remarkable ability to connect and inspire people to realize their full potential is uniquely complementary to our powerful community, extraordinary coaches and proven approach."
Alex Fuhrman, senior research analyst with investment firm Craig-Hallum, said Winfrey's stake could influence consumers, and ultimately, Weight Watchers' bottom line.


"Oprah is considered a very trusted name and brand advocate by consumers and she has a reputation by consumers who would only endorse a product if she really believed in it," Fuhrman said. "In that sense, it could bring a lot of interest to Weight Watchers. She has a tremendous fan following."


Fuhrman points out that any $43 million investment in Weight Watchers, regardless if it came from Winfrey or another investor, would have sent the stock higher. Weight Watchers has been struggling with declining sales and a looming debt of $144 million.
"Definitely bringing on Oprah as a spokesperson of sorts with $43 million of cash puts to bed concern that it can pay its April 2016 debt," Fuhrman said.


Winfrey has had a strong influence on consumer products with her book club and former television feature "Oprah's favorite things." And now, she will be endorsing weight loss.


Weight Watchers hasn’t secured “an effective spokesperson ever since it hit a homerun with Jennifer Hudson back in late 2010,” J.P. Morgan analyst John Faucher wrote in a research note. Hudson, the former “American Idol” finalist, parted ways with the company last year.


Morningstar analyst RJ Hottovy said he was "intrigued" by the potential marketing opportunities with Winfrey's various television, print, and digital properties, but is waiting to hear more from the New York-based company.


While Winfrey's involvement "is likely to resonate with Weight Watchers' traditional over-50 female demographic, it's unclear how the company plans to bolster its brand positioning with a younger audience," he wrote in a research note.








https://gma.yahoo.com/oprah-winfreys-43m-bet-weight-watchers-155649439--abc-news-celebrities.html#
 
#888
Fuhrman points out that any $43 million investment in Weight Watchers, regardless if it came from Winfrey or another investor, would have sent the stock higher. Weight Watchers has been struggling with declining sales and a looming debt of $144 million.
"Definitely bringing on Oprah as a spokesperson of sorts with $43 million of cash puts to bed concern that it can pay its April 2016 debt," Fuhrman said.
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Huh?! More like they are like $2 billion in debt with a shrinking customer base. This is definitely very interesting though...she can't sell for 2 years but their business model is dated and they're way too slow to keep up with times. I'm curious to see what influence she will have because if Oprah can't save this company and this partnership isn't successful, that's pretty much the nail in their coffin.
 
#894
berrydiva said:
I need Oprah to keep losing weight so this silly stock can perform....not sure what made me buy some but glad I did.
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Huh?
Is that why you were mad when I said I thought the stock went thru the roof?
She is turning the company around.
Just got my latest issues of WW magazine and she is prominently featured.
This is going to be a win for U and O, IMO.
 
#895
limom said:
Huh?

Is that why you were mad when I said I thought the stock went thru the roof?

She is turning the company around.

Just got my latest issues of WW magazine and she is prominently featured.

This is going to be a win for U and O, IMO.
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Nah....I think the public's perception was that it went through the roof but it never really did...it shot up but where it was coming from wasn't good and then it lost half the value in a couple weeks. Oprah only bought in for 10%, she's not in control and they refuse to modernize to compete with their peers for sustainability. Plus they have an incredible amount of debt due soon. I'm in it for the short not the long, I feel they'll eventually be bought out. If Oprah exercises her option to buy an additional 5%, then it will signal that the company's healthy.
 
#896
#897
berrydiva said:
Nah....I think the public's perception was that it went through the roof but it never really did...it shot up but where it was coming from wasn't good and then it lost half the value in a couple weeks. Oprah only bought in for 10%, she's not in control and they refuse to modernize to compete with their peers for sustainability. Plus they have an incredible amount of debt due soon. I'm in it for the short not the long, I feel they'll eventually be bought out. If Oprah exercises her option to buy an additional 5%, then it will signal that the company's healthy.
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Gotcha:smile1:
I only hold long. I don't have the stomach for shorting stocks.
 
#899
sdkitty said:
used to be that way when she was on TV every day. wonder if it will continue. I personally don't like O Magazine and I don't get her TV channel.
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It's still that way now! She does her favorite things in her magazine - love it btw - and things sell out! I get her tv channel and several shows are some of my favorites.
 
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