Exhibit 99.1
For Immediate Release
eDiets.com, Inc. Waggener Edstrom for Microsoft
Media/Marketing: Press Only:
Merilee Kern, Marcomm Manager Amy Radich
702-562-0064 (503) 443-7000
merilee@eDiets.com amyr@wagged.com
Investor Relations: Rapid Response Team:
Alison Tanner, CFA, Chief Strategist (503) 443-7070
954-360-9022 x140 rrt@wagged.com
alison@eDiets.com
$9.1 Million Deal Expands eDiets Advertising, Content on MSN
High-Profile Advertising Space, Integrated Content
And Co-Branded Web Minisites Are Included in the Agreement
REDMOND, Wash., and DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. -- July 21, 2002 -- The MSN(R) network
of Internet services today announced that it has signed a $9.1 million agreement
with eDiets.com Inc. (OTCBB "EDET") ("eDiets"), the leader in personalized
online diet programs and an emerging force in personalized online fitness and
motivation programs. Under the agreement, eDiets will place its advertising and
original content more broadly across MSN, the most popular online destination on
the Web.
The deal, which applies to the MSN network within the United States, renews and
expands an earlier promotional agreement between the two online leaders. The
agreement provides eDiets with several types of advertising on MSN, including
standard online space and "content modules" on MSNBC (http://www.msnbc.com/),
MSN WomenCentral (http://women.msn.com/), Slate(R) online magazine
(http://slate.msn.com/) and other top MSN sites. eDiets also will promote its
services through the WebCourier(R) HTML newsletter distribution service -- a
highly targeted e-mail program delivered through the MSN Hotmail(R) service, the
world's most popular Web-based e-mail service* -- to consumers who opt in to the
service.
In addition, the agreement allows eDiets to reach the 270 million worldwide
visitors to MSN each month -- the most portal traffic on the Web -- with its
personalized diet and fitness programs through two co-branded minisites. One
minisite will be hosted by MSN WomenCentral, an online resource providing women
with tools and expert advice, and the other by MSNBC, the leading Internet news
site.
This extended alliance with MSN and its affiliates is eDiets' largest-ever
marketing agreement, and -- with the preferred sponsorships and integration of
original content -- also one of the most extensive.
"This deal demonstrates the value that a growing number of advertisers find in
MSN," said Joanne Bradford, vice president of MSN. "As the number one
destination on the Web, MSN offers advertisers a bigger audience and more ways
to engage consumers than any other online location."
"When we decided to further promote our personalized programs and get the eDiets
brand name in front of a massive audience, MSN was the clear choice," said David
Humble, founder, chairman and CEO of eDiets. "Nowhere else on the Web can you
get such significant exposure and engage consumers in so many ways."
The minisites, which debut in early August, offer as much as six pages of eDiets
content -- more than can be found for similar subjects on other online networks.
The content is based on eDiets' proprietary diet-, fitness- and
nutrition-related tools, information and resources. Visitors also will be able
to subscribe to eDiets' personalized programs. As with all of eDiets' online
tools and programs, the content on the minisites will be developed by eDiets'
in-house team of registered and licensed dietitians, certified fitness trainers
and psychologists, providing members with professional advice, information and
support in a convenient and private online alternative to traditional
weight-loss programs.
"This agreement," Humble said, "represents a significant commitment by eDiets to
expand the reach of our company and to support the health and fitness efforts of
the MSN network's audience. With the epidemic of obesity becoming more widely
appreciated by leaders in the medical, government and business communities, we
are pleased that MSN is looking to eDiets as its preferred online diet and
fitness resource."
About eDiets.com Inc.
eDiets.com Inc. (OTCBB "EDET"), the online diet services category leader through
its brands eDiets (http://www.eDiets.com/) and DietSmart
(http://www.DietSmart.com/), has been providing customized diet, fitness and
motivational programs, products and services on a subscription basis since 1996.
eDiets and DietSmart members benefit from an array of comprehensive online
support services that are available 24x7x365, including professionally moderated
online meetings, support groups, chats and teleconferences. This combination of
convenience, personalization, privacy, support and value provides eDiets members
with an attractive alternative to traditional offline programs popularized by
Weight Watchers International Inc. (NYSE "WTW"), Jenny Craig Inc. and others.
During the first quarter of 2002, eDiets.com had approximately 300,000 unique
paying members and currently has over 10 million opt-in subscribers to its
biweekly e-mail newsletter, eDiets Diet & Fitness News. Among other honors
received, http://www.eDiets.com/ was named a Forbes Magazine Best of the Web
fitness and nutrition Web site in both 2000 and 2001. eDiets.com Inc. maintains
its corporate office in Deerfield Beach, Fla.
About MSN
MSN attracts more than 270 million unique users worldwide per month. Globally
available in 34 markets and 18 languages, MSN is a world leader in delivering
Web services to consumers and digital marketing solutions to businesses
worldwide. The most useful and innovative online service today, MSN brings
consumers everything they need from the Web to make the most of their time
online. MSN is located on the Web at http://www.msn.com/. MSN worldwide sites
are located at http://www.msn.com/worldwide.ashx.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in
software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business
computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to
empower people through great software -- any time, any place and on any device.
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* Source: Jupiter Media Metrix Custom data, April 2002. Includes data from
Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the
United Kingdom and the United States.
Statements in the release that are not historical in nature are forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and
uncertainties which could cause the actual results, performance or achievements
of the Company to be materially different from those that may be expressed or
implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among others,
changes in general economic and business conditions, changes in product
acceptance by consumers, effectiveness of sales and marketing efforts, loss of
market share and pressure on prices resulting from competition, and inability to
obtain sufficient financing. For additional information regarding these and
other risks and uncertainties associated with eDiets.com business, reference is
made to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended Dec. 31,
2001, and other reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. All forward-looking statements are current only as of the date on
which such statements are made. The Company does not undertake any obligation to
publicly update any forward-looking statements.
Microsoft, MSN, Slate, WebCourier and Hotmail are either registered trademarks
or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the
trademarks of their respective owners.
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