FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Virgin Pulse, the market leader in the rapidly-growing employee health engagement category, today announced it has established a relationship, exclusive in the employee health and engagement industry, with behavior change expert Dr. BJ Fogg, who has joined the company’s Science Advisory Board. Dr. Fogg, who directs the Persuasive Tech Lab at Stanford University, has created innovative models of human behavior change based on his work that empowers people to think clearly about the psychology of persuasion — and then to convert those insights into real-world outcomes. Virgin Pulse is the first and only employee health and engagement provider to work with Dr. Fogg as a member of its Science Advisory Board.
Dr. Fogg is the author of Persuasive Technology: Using Computers to Change What We Think and Do, a book that explains how computers can motivate and influence people. A world-renowned expert on human behavior change strategies, Dr. Fogg joins the Virgin Pulse Science Advisory Board. Created to ensure that Virgin Pulse is consistently monitoring and acting on the research and drivers of real, long-lasting behavior change and well-being as the company continues to enhance its platform, the Virgin Pulse Science Advisory Board is comprised of leading experts and luminaries in key fields related to well-being.
“I get asked to join a lot of advisory boards, but I typically decline. In Virgin Pulse, I saw a market leader that’s in a spot to really help people change their lives by changing their behaviors,” said Dr. BJ Fogg. “Virgin Pulse is on the cutting edge of employee engagement and well-being, working with some of the biggest and most forward-thinking companies in the world. My behavior design research is a natural fit with the company’s mission to improve lives, and I’m looking forward to working closely with the Virgin Pulse team as a member of its Science Advisory Board to ensure companies and individuals benefit from the latest research and best practices related to my field.”
“We spend so much of our time at work, and today’s employers have a golden opportunity to help their employees make real and lasting changes that will improve their well-being, engagement, and productivity – both on and off the job,” said Chris Boyce, CEO of Virgin Pulse. “Never mind that it’s the right thing to do – supporting employees in making healthy, long-lasting behavior changes helps employers create a workforce with the physical energy, mental focus, and emotional drive necessary to power their businesses. We’re so pleased to welcome Dr. Fogg to our Science Advisory Board – his expertise on strategies to drive sustained, meaningful behavior change are unparalleled in the industry.”
In April 2015, Dr. Fogg will be a featured speaker at Virgin Pulse’s Thrive Summit, the only industry event of its kind with a dedicated focus on employee well-being. The Thrive Summit, presented by Virgin Pulse, brings together top industry experts, business and human resources leaders, Virgin Pulse customers and dynamic keynote speakers – including “Good Morning America’s” Robin Roberts and JetBlue’s former EVP of People and current board member, Ann Rhoades – for three days of education, networking and inspiration. For more information about the 2015 Thrive Summit and to register for the event, visit www.thrivesummit.com and join the conversation on Twitter using #ThriveSum15.
For more information about Virgin Pulse’s Science Advisory Board, please visit www.virginpulse.com.
About Virgin Pulse
Virgin Pulse, part of Sir Richard Branson’s famed Virgin Group, helps employers create a workforce with the energy, focus, and drive necessary to fully engage at work and in life. With its award-winning, online platform, the company fosters healthy daily habits and sustainable behavior change that help employees thrive at work and across all aspects of life. Unlike narrowly-focused employee health and engagement solutions, Virgin Pulse is a hub of consumer-focused strategies and innovative tools that set the foundation for a company’s engagement efforts. More than 250 industry leaders representing more than 2 million employees have selected Virgin Pulse’s programs to reinvigorate their workplace. Learn more at www.virginpulse.com.
About BJ Fogg
BJ Fogg, PhD, directs the Persuasive Tech Lab at Stanford University. A behavior scientist and innovator, Fogg conducted the first-ever series of experiments on how computers can influence people. His research was awarded Stanford’s Maccoby Prize and spawned an annual international conference. Each year, Fogg creates a new course to teach at Stanford, with topics ranging from mobile persuasion to health habits. His students have gone on to create successful digital products, including Instagram, that millions of people use every day. Fogg's breakthrough models and methods for changing behavior led to new field called Behavior Design. Industry innovators learn to apply Fogg’s methods in his two-day "Behavior Design Boot Camp." He is the author of Persuasive Technology: Using Computers to Change What We Think and Do, the first book to explain how technology can be designed to influence people. Fortune selected Fogg as one of 10 “New Gurus You Should Know.” In the past 4 years, Fogg has personally coached over 30,000 in his behavior change method called “Tiny Habits." For more info, see bjfogg.org and captology.stanford.edu.
