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Weight Watchers & Buick Regal Announce Member-Of-The-Year Winner

12 June 1998

Weight Watchers & Buick Regal Announce Member-Of-The-Year Winner

              Mary Ellen Fernandez, of Dearborn, Mich., Selected
                    As Weight Watchers' Member of the Year

    FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., June 11 -- Weight Watchers and
Buick have selected Mary Ellen Fernandez, of Dearborn, Mich., as their "Member
of the Year."  For her effort, she was awarded a two-year lease on a special-
edition 25th Anniversary Buick Regal today at Bill Cook Buick in Farmington
Hills, Mich.  The presentation was made by Roger W. Adams, Buick Regal brand
manager and Florine Mark, president and CEO of the Weight Watchers Group, Inc.
    Weight Watchers members from seven states -- Massachusetts, Michigan,
Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and West Virginia -- were asked to
submit an essay that answered the question, "How has weight watchers changed
my life?"  The winning essay was selected based on how Weight Watchers has
improved their quality of life, not on the amount of weight lost.
    "Improving the quality of life is the most important benefit our members
receive," said Mark.  "The 'Member of the Year' program is a terrific way for
our members to share their success stories and motivate others to be
successful.  Mary Ellen's story touched my heart."
    Adams said, "Buick Regal is very proud to be part of this Weight Watchers
program and we applaud Mary Ellen for her accomplishment in being selected as
'Member of the Year.'  Mary Ellen exemplifies the type of positive physical
and mental well being the Weight Watchers program can have on an individual's
life."
    Fernandez, recently retired, plans to travel the United States in her new
Buick Regal.
    In addition to Fernandez, six other Weight Watchers members were awarded
runner-up prizes:
    *  Sharon Martin of Akron, Ohio
    *  Michelle Deppen of Sunbury, Penn.
    *  Sallie Clark of Plainville, Mass.
    *  Alice Reinhart of St. Louis, Mo.
    *  Julia E. Towner of Cincinnati, Ohio
    *  Don Stiles of Marquette, Mich.

    Weight Watchers' philosophy has always been that dieting alone is not a
solution for long-term weight management.  The Weight Watchers program is a
comprehensive approach to losing weight that combines healthy eating,
increased physical activity and behavior modification.
    The WW Group, Inc., headquartered in Farmington Hills, Mich., is the
largest franchise of Weight Watchers International, the leading authority on
weight loss.  The company employs more than 3,000 in Indiana, Kentucky,
Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Southern
Illinois, West Virginia, Ontario and Mexico.
    General Motors , Buick Motor Division and Buick Regal are
committed to women and women's athletics programs including Weight Watchers
and GM Concept:Cure, a breast cancer research and awareness initiative, which
provides support to the National Alliance of Breast Cancer Organizations
(NABCO) through WNBA fundraising efforts.
    Celebrating its 25th Anniversary, the Buick Regal is known as the Official
Car of the Supercharged Family.