Weight Watchers Names Michael Colosi General Counsel And Secretary

NEW YORK, March 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Weight Watchers International, Inc. (NYSE: WTW) today announced that Michael F. Colosi will serve as its General Counsel and Secretary, effective May 19, 2014.  Colosi will report to President and CEO Jim Chambers and will serve as a member of the Weight Watchers Executive Committee.

"Michael fills a critical role on the Executive Committee," said Jim Chambers, President and CEO. "His analytical background, judgment and experience across a wide range of legal, operational and executive responsibilities will make him a trusted strategic advisor and partner for me and the rest of the Executive Committee as we continue to transform the company."

Colosi brings to Weight Watchers more than 16 years of public company experience, including 13 as General Counsel for Kenneth Cole Productions.  He is a highly engaging leader with a strong blend of law firm and in-house experience, as well as commercial, corporate and litigation expertise.  As General Counsel and Secretary, Colosi will be responsible for leading the Weight Watchers legal team and advisors to provide counsel on issues of major importance to the company and to advise on significant strategic initiatives. Colosi will counsel senior management and the Board of Directors on matters related to securities compliance and corporate governance.  He will also play a key role on the Executive Committee contributing to the company's strategy.

Colosi comes to Weight Watchers after almost 14 years with Kenneth Cole Productions where he was Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. In that role, he served as chief legal officer for a multi-brand retail, wholesale and licensing company, both while it was listed on the New York Stock Exchange and throughout its transition to a private company.  His responsibilities included corporate secretary to the Board of Directors, mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property protection and licensing, real estate, human resources, litigation, general corporate, and compliance.

Prior to Kenneth Cole Productions, Colosi was Associate General Counsel and Assistant Secretary for NYSE-listed international apparel company Warnaco, Inc. In that role, he was elected as an officer by the Board of Directors, served as a member of the senior corporate management team, and worked closely with other officers, directors, and senior corporate and divisional staff as well as outside counsel, auditors and advisors globally.

Previous experience includes nearly five years with law firms in New York and Washington, D.C. and prior to that a clerkship with the Honorable J. Edward Lumbard in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York.

Colosi received his J.D. from Michigan Law School where he graduated cum laude in 1991. He earned his B.A. in Economics and English from Cornell University where he graduated magna cum laude in 1987. He is a member of the New York State Bar and is admitted to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

About Weight Watchers International, Inc. 
Weight Watchers International, Inc. is the world's leading provider of weight management services, operating globally through a network of Company-owned and franchise operations. Weight Watchers holds more than 40,000 meetings each week where members receive group support and learn about healthy eating patterns, behavior modification and physical activity. WeightWatchers.com provides innovative, subscription weight management products over the Internet and is the leading Internet-based provider of these products in the world. In addition, Weight Watchers offers a wide range of products, publications and programs for those interested in weight loss and weight control.

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events. These statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements because actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied. The reports filed by the Company pursuant to United States securities laws contain discussions of these risks and uncertainties. The Company assumes no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are advised to review the Company's filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (which are available from the SEC's EDGAR database at www.sec.gov, at various SEC reference facilities in the United States and via the Company's website at www.weightwatchersinternational.com).

SOURCE Weight Watchers International, Inc.