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Post by susan092907 on Mar 16, 2024 15:12:39 GMT
someone who wants to buy the app. For many people, I think it is just an app, like MFP, Healthi, Loseit, etc. Isn't there a category of membership where you can pay just for the app without access to any meetings - neither in person nor virtual? Maybe WW will eventually become only that - without offering any kind of meetings at all? |
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ladymajky
Transcendent Member
220/169/150
Posts: 871 
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Post by ladymajky on Mar 16, 2024 16:08:57 GMT
I think they are working to create a perception of identity and value for the app as a separate entity from the WW program. If they can spin off the app, they can sell it off separately while the last remaining shreds of the program tank.
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Post by bbbearsmom on Mar 16, 2024 16:42:41 GMT
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Post by jammytart on Mar 16, 2024 17:42:39 GMT
Recently I've been noticing ads for WW on TV, for the first time in quite a while. However, they are NOT ads for the program. Not even ads for the drug. They are ads for the APP. The target market is not someone who wants to buy into the program, but someone who wants to buy the app. This is interesting, especially considering how much has been removed from the app since Sima arrived (check in tool, meditations, sleep, etc) and the app is so frequently changed that it is an … inconsistent experience. When we had program plan choices, plus coaching platform delivery options (app only, personal coaching, WW D360, WW at Work, etc, if people didn’t like Blue, they could switch to Green and still subscribe. If they didn’t like workshops, they could switch to personal coaching. If they didn’t want to go to workshops on the weekend, they could go at work. It’s hard to say because of launching a complex plan during the pandemic, but Personal Points plus workshops and the other programs meant people could stay even longer just retooling the platform and the program make it fit. They had books, notebooks, cookbooks, etc. People who didn’t want to use the app didn’t have to, they could manage. Now, there is just one plan. I suppose people could switch to the diabetic plan, but people with diabetes only have one plan. So if the plan doesn’t work, that’s it. Move on to another eating plan program. And by closing so many workshops and the different coaching delivery options, it is: virtual meetings with 50-100 other people and the app, or just the app. And odds are that if people struggle with the program or the app, they very likely do not have an in-person coach to help them, and they do not have paper version of the weekly or paper trackers. I guess it shouldn’t surprise me that they are advertising the app over the program, but it bothers me because it suggests that all they have left is the tool, not the trade. |
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ladymajky
Transcendent Member
220/169/150
Posts: 871
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Post by ladymajky on Mar 16, 2024 22:25:02 GMT
Exactly.
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Post by Guest on Mar 16, 2024 23:20:39 GMT
"All they have left is the tool, not the trade." Exactly!This is very sad. I was a member on/ off (mostly on) for about 50 years! I still can't believe it! Friendships, sharing, fun meeting that actually had value...gone. Programs that actually worked...gone. I am glad I got to experience those years and have good memories. Was WW perfect? No, never. But so much more meaningful than the drek this company turned into.
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Kitty
Transcendent Member
Posts: 1,448
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Post by Kitty on Mar 16, 2024 23:41:54 GMT
Well a couple of things. They do have the business they have been pursuing of providing weight loss services for other entities such as employers and other health care entities. They talk about this in their earning calls.
As far as the app, I honestly don't think WW has ever had anything particularly special for Weight loss. All weight loss is consuming less calories. What I felt WW always had were the meetings. And those are mostly gone.
Most members now are digital only with basically the app and connect. For many, connect is something they like. And many like the app because they don't like tracking. Points are easier to track than exchanges or calories. Zero point foods require no tracking at all. Most people like the idea of losing weight with little to no tracking.
WW's problem (among others) for years has been the high debt load. Sima pointed out in her letter that it isn't due any time soon That is true. But the debt is still the big problem. No one wants to take that on. Shedding some debt sometimes and reorganizing can sometimes work. But much of that depends on the viability of the business. In a chapter 7 that doesn't happen but they could sell off the name and assets.
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Post by NatureLover on Mar 18, 2024 19:22:33 GMT
Part of me has to wonder if bankruptcy was the intention of the Board of Directors.
Going back to printing out my stored recipes in the app....
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Post by jammytart on Mar 18, 2024 22:38:28 GMT
(snippet of Kitty’s awesome insights)WW's problem (among others) for years has been the high debt load. Sima pointed out in her letter that it isn't due any time soon That is true. But the debt is still the big problem. I do not agree with Sima about how she thinks the debt is not an issue. In addition to current interest payments, WW needs to have $945 million available in 2028 and $500 million available 2029. They do not have enough money to pay that debt. They will need to show they can cover the interest if they refinance. If they ever move the headquarters off 6th Ave in NY, we will know they have reached the end of their cash flow. |
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Post by Peter on Mar 22, 2024 17:27:24 GMT
I’m a completely new member. But I am disappointed to read this.
The reason I joined is because it was a science-backed program that also was supported by my doctor who prescribed a medication as well. I didn’t go through the WW Clinic for it. But rather I wanted the Premium experience with curated digital meetings (age groups, interests, etc.). I was very disappointed that the workshop/meeting location had closed near me. But it makes sense given the desire to save money. I hate the way companies go down the drain like this. But I was hoping the Clinic could save WW for the rest of us.
Jenny Craig went for chapter 7 and then eventually the parent company of Nutrisystem bought them out. I hear the food is not exactly the same, which makes sense. But I had more hope for WeightWatchers since they did enter the medication space. Regardless of what others think, it is maybe a smarter move given all the trouble. Noom went that way too. I loved Noom back in the day, but the focus on calories was troubling.
I’ll say that as a new member, my perspective is completely different. I also will say the medication setting toggles on cool motivators (GLP-1 Program for anyone taking a GLP-1 -and not just for Clinic members) to ensure members get enough protein, veggies/fruits, and water on the program. The app was surprising when I tried switching to the Points experience. It seemed so cluttered and harder to navigate with so many options.
Maybe a hybrid design would work better. The GLP-1 program seemed more modern-looking is what I mean. The IU team releases updates on Connect, but yeah not exactly solving what I perceive as the problem.
But if they revamp it completely, then people won’t like the change.
Hmmm. I hope they find a way to solve this issue. I value meetings/workshops, even if digital.
I also like Connect. I don’t always like forums. But Connect’s themes seem interesting. But I hate that search is so hard.
This is, again, from the perspective of a newer member who joined this year.
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Post by Robbie on Mar 23, 2024 15:12:55 GMT
I am app only and prefer it that way - so many judgements in meetings. Who was "good" this week and I have even had some members be resentful of my weight loss. I wish the app had a few changes, but I find it easy. Like why can't they just have a points calculator?? Easy to find?? Like the old days? Simple little changes would make it flawless. I love that the program forces me to eat healther or I would just use my Loseit! program (which is easier to use). They will survive but it will probably be different.
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