NBC Grants Fitness Ridge Worldwide the Exclusive Domestic Rights to Own and Operate the Biggest Loser Resorts

Popular Lifestyle Resort Chain Will See Expansion under New Ownership

LOS ANGELES--()--Los Angeles-based Fitness Ridge Worldwide, LLC has acquired the exclusive domestic rights to own and operate the Biggest Loser Resorts, the lifestyle resort chain associated with NBC’s hit TV program. Offering a unique weight-loss opportunity in a nutritionally balanced and motivating environment with guidance from professional fitness experts, the Biggest Loser Resorts are consistently booked to capacity. Building on the success of the current facilities and programs, Fitness Ridge Worldwide is focused on expanding the brand further with additional locations of the Biggest Loser Resorts to be housed both within existing hotel properties and as fully branded properties. The Biggest Loser Resorts are licensed by NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products Group and Reveille LLC. The deal was brokered by Ladder Up Media.

“We are delighted to have been selected to expand the highly successful Biggest Loser Resorts brand, and help spread the unprecedented results the program provides to its guests,” said Larry Bond, chief executive officer, Fitness Ridge Worldwide, LLC. “We look forward to extending the platform created by the resort founders and NBC to the millions of fans of the show that have been seeking an opportunity to experience ‘The Biggest Loser’ for themselves.”

“‘The Biggest Loser’ has become one of the most recognized fitness brands in the world. As one of our premier entertainment properties amongst several audiences, it is crucial that the brand is aligned with a company that upholds the quality and consistency that ‘The Biggest Loser’ is known for,” said Kim Niemi, senior vice president, NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products Group. “We are thrilled that the expansion plans will enable us to provide this opportunity to so many more people around the country who desire to either jumpstart or support their healthy lifestyle goals.”

With existing locations in Ivins, Utah, and Malibu, Calif., the Biggest Loser Resorts offer an award-winning program designed for every fitness level, focusing exclusively on changing the direction of each guest’s life. Through an emphasis on fitness, nutrition, education and life coaching, combined with personal attention from professional trainers, the program provides guests with the resources to lead a successful, balanced life.

“Throughout the evolution of the Biggest Loser Resorts, from the initial location, to the affiliation with NBC’s top program, to the experience of our new partners, the dedication to health and wellness has remained constant,” said Tami Clark, co-founder of the resorts. “Our new partners are building upon our original vision for the resorts and we’re looking forward to helping it continue to develop under the direction of Fitness Ridge Worldwide.”

With a proven, successful track record of building companies and brands, the team behind Fitness Ridge Worldwide will utilize their experience and network in hospitality to continue to grow the brand. In addition to the existing strong consumer-based programming, the company plans to extend the brand into providing health and wellness training for corporations and their employees to deal with growing corporate healthcare costs caused by unhealthy lifestyles.

“We see obesity as a fixable epidemic in the United States, and the unique system that has been developed and implemented within the Biggest Loser Resorts is so effective that there is currently a waiting list to get in, with both locations typically filled to capacity throughout the year,” said David Marshall, a managing partner of Fitness Ridge Worldwide, LLC. “Given the current demand for this distinctive product and its proven effectiveness, the planned expansion will provide even more people with the ability to experience ‘The Biggest Loser’ transformation.”

About The Biggest Loser Resorts

Founded on a four-point philosophy of fitness, nutrition, education and relaxation, guests of the Biggest Loser Resorts enjoy a nutritionally balanced, boot-camp style experience. Named one of the top ten destination spas for best affordability, best fitness program, best hiking and best for weight loss by Spafinder, the resorts offer a unique blend of education and exercise. Established in 2002 in Ivins, Utah, the company opened a second location in Malibu, Calif., in September 2010. To learn more about the Biggest Loser Resorts, please visit www.biggestloserresort.com.

About “The Biggest Loser”

"The Biggest Loser" will return to NBC in the fall on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET. The first reality series where everybody "loses," "The Biggest Loser" challenges and encourages overweight contestants to shed pounds in a safe and recommended manner through comprehensive diet and exercise as they compete for a grand prize of $250,000. Hosted by Alison Sweeney, the series provides the contestants with challenges, temptations, weigh-ins and eliminations until the final contestant remains to claim the title of "The Biggest Loser." In season 12, contestants will work out under the supervision of professional trainers Bob Harper, Anna Kournikova and Dolvett Quince. "The Biggest Loser" is a production of Reveille LLC, 25/7 Productions and 3 Ball Productions.

Beyond the U.S. where more than 100 episodes of the show have aired, "The Biggest Loser" has become a worldwide hit appearing in over 90 countries and produced in 28 countries. Since its debut in 2004, "The Biggest Loser" has grown to become a standalone health and lifestyle brand by developing tools and products inspired by the show and approved by its doctors and experts. "The Biggest Loser" consumer products program can be found at more than 25,000 major retailers to date. "The Biggest Loser" was recognized as a top brand of the year in Advertising Age's 2008 Marketing 50.

For "The Biggest Loser" embeddable clips and full episodes, visit NBC.com's official show site: http://www.nbc.com/the-biggest-loser/.

About NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products Group

NBCUniversal is a leader in providing entertainment programming to the domestic and international marketplaces. NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products Group manages all global ancillary television business endeavors for the NBCUniversal Television Group, including third-party home entertainment distribution, consumer products, musical soundtracks, special markets projects and the NBCUniversal Online Store. For the latest product updates and an overview of the properties managed by the group, visit the NBCUniversal Television Consumer Products portal at http://nbcuconsumerproducts.com.

About Reveille

Reveille is part of the Shine Group, one of the world's foremost multinational entertainment and drama companies. A leading independent studio focused on exploiting worldwide intellectual property rights in scripted and unscripted television and digital entertainment, Reveille is also a world leader in creating integrated marketing opportunities for advertisers. Reveille is known for popular and award-winning hit series including “Master Chef,” “The Biggest Loser,” “The Office,” “The Buried Life,” “Ugly Betty,” The Tudors,” “Tabitha’s Salon Takeover,” “Shear Genius,” and “Parental Control.” Reveille has partnerships with both Microsoft and Yahoo! to develop original online series for brands. Web series include “Fit to Boom” for Subway, “It’s Everybody’s Business with Jack and Suzy Welch” for Microsoft, “Who Knew?” for Toyota and “Real Makeover” for Walmart. Recent television series include Paula Abdul’s highly anticipated return to television with “Live to Dance” on CBS as well as Lifetime Television’s “One Born Every Minute,” chronicling the compelling daily stories of a bustling maternity ward, which recently premiered. Through its distribution arm, Shine International, Reveille distributes its extensive library of programming to more than 150 countries.

About Ladder Up Media

Ladder Up Media is an industry leader in sourcing, creating, and executing brand integration, sponsorship, and licensed product/promotion deals for major network television properties. Founded in 2007 by David Norton, Ladder Up has successfully integrated major brands like Brita, Wrigley, Staples, Walgreens, Starter, Subway, 24 Hour Fitness, Southwest Airlines, Lexus, FedEx, and so many more into high profile shows including The Biggest Loser (NBC), Great American Road Trip (NBC), Nashville Star (USA), Miss Universe (NBC), etc.

About Fitness Ridge Worldwide LLC

Fitness Ridge Worldwide, having secured the exclusive long-term license from NBC, will be expanding the Biggest Loser Resorts across the country. The growth of the resorts will be accelerated by locating the brand within existing hotels, conference centers and resorts. More information can be found at www.biggestloserresort.com.

Contacts

Wonacott Communications
For Fitness Ridge Worldwide
Nicole Okoneski, 310-477-2871, ext. 660
nokoneski@wonacottpr.com

Release Summary

Los Angeles-based Fitness Ridge Worldwide, LLC has acquired the exclusive domestic rights to own and operate the Biggest Loser Resorts, the lifestyle resort chain associated with NBC’s hit TV program.

Contacts

Wonacott Communications
For Fitness Ridge Worldwide
Nicole Okoneski, 310-477-2871, ext. 660
nokoneski@wonacottpr.com