dLife Appoints Former Weight Watchers Executive, Sean Foster, As New CEO

WESTPORT, Conn., July 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- dLife, the number-one resource and community network for people living with diabetes, announced today that it has appointed Sean Foster as its new CEO. Foster, with deep experience in consumer behavior change, e-tools, digital offerings, and consumer marketing, will lead the continued expansion of the dLife media brand and dLife Healthcare Solutions. Most recently serving as President of Online at Avon Products, North America, Foster will assume this new position effective July 16, 2012.

"The recent healthcare reform ruling is setting new expectations for the industry in regards to consumer engagement and, in our opinion, it increases the need for media and technology to play a greater role in healthcare," said Ron Geraty, Chairman of the Board, dLife. "This shifting landscape affords an unprecedented opportunity for dLife to lead the charge in effectively engaging people with diabetes, and Sean's vast experience in building successful products for top technology-focused consumer brands will be a driving force in accomplishing these objectives. dLife is what modern healthcare should be, and the Board and I are excited to have Sean help lead this company and transform the industry."

As CEO, Mr. Foster will drive new and current company initiatives focused on dLife product development, brand strategy, and industry partnerships. Under his leadership, the company looks to expand its offerings and reach within the healthcare industry by further building upon its multimedia programs that are clinically proven to activate consumer engagement and behavior change for people living with diabetes.

"I'm very pleased to welcome Sean," said Howard Steinberg, dLife Founder. "Engaging patients and caregivers as consumers in their daily life stream has been the foundation of dLife's impact on sustainable change in diabetes self-care.  Sean's personal attributes and highly relevant experience motivating consumers to effect lifestyle change via technology will be critical in building the next generation of products and solutions in today's rapidly changing environment. I look forward to supporting Sean and the dLife team in delivering on the dLife self-care mission."

"This is a very exciting time for dLife, and I am eager to increase our engagement with consumers through innovative approaches and digital solutions that enable healthy outcomes," said Foster. "dLife is currently engaging with more than two million people with diabetes each month, and the organization is committed to offering them the best solutions and technology that will fully support their lifestyle and self-management in a convenient, educational, and motivational way."

Foster's rich marketing and consumer behavior change experience includes executive positions held within Weight Watchers International and WeightWatchers.com.  As Vice President of Marketing at WeightWatchers.com, Foster's leadership generated more than two million online subscription sign-ups, spearheaded the introduction and success of linchpin product offerings, and drove business growth leading up to the sale of the company to Weight Watchers for $650 million.

In addition to Weight Watchers and Avon, Foster also served as Chief Marketing Officer at Gilt Groupe, where he was responsible for unprecedented growth of the e-commerce luxury retail brand, gilt.com. While there, Foster created a 400 percent increase in membership and led major internal expansion efforts, including key executive hires.

For more information about dLife, visit www.dlife.com.

About dLife – It's YOUR Diabetes Life!
dLife is the number-one community network and resource for millions of people with diabetes, their caregivers and healthcare providers. dLife engages this growing population in positive and proactive self-care across a variety of media channels. Its award-winning outlets include dLife.com, the leading online diabetes destination, attracting more than one million unique visitors a month, and featuring the widest and deepest variety of original content and resources anywhere; dLifeTV, the only national TV series dedicated to people with diabetes, with over half a million viewers, airing Sundays on CNBC (7 p.m. ET); popular mobile applications; as well as consumer and professional programs driving proactive diabetes self-management. dLife has been recognized with numerous media and editorial awards.

dLife Healthcare Solutions applies evidence-based content and technology solutions built specifically for health plans and healthcare providers who want to engage their diabetes populations as consumers of their own healthcare and owners of their own condition. dLife has demonstrated positive and direct impact on health outcomes via a recently completed randomized trial performed by the Geisinger Healthcare System. Utilizing its self-care engagement platform, dLife administers diabetes education in a dosed curriculum that has proven to yield better patient outcomes, lower costs, and higher STAR ratings.

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Media Contact:
Emma Ludwin
KNB Communications
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SOURCE dLife