IRIC Information Resources (MM)

Industry Leaders Gather at Information Resources, Inc./Saint Joseph's University Leadership Seminar to Discuss Critical Issues on Obesity And Wellness Leading Experts to Address Legal, Legislative, and Marketing Perspectives With Top CPG and Healthcare Executives PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continuing its efforts to provide deeper consumer insights and retailer and manufacturer best practices around the heightened obesity and wellness movement, Information Resources, Inc. and Saint Joseph's University's Erivan K. Haub School of Business today kicked off "Understanding the New Rules of Engagement on Obesity and Wellness," a unique Obesity/Wellness Leadership Seminar focused on obesity and wellness strategies for senior professionals in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) and healthcare industries. Hosted at the Park Hyatt Philadelphia at the Bellevue, senior professionals from many of today's leading CPG retailers, manufacturers and healthcare companies will gather to focus on helping the CPG community develop effective and meaningful obesity and wellness products, programs, and services that resonate with today's consumers. Offering insight from several of the industry's most prominent thought leaders in the areas of government and public affairs, law, education, marketing, merchandising, and retailing, the seminar delivers valuable information on the evolving consumer obesity/wellness movement along with actionable recommendations the industry can begin implementing immediately. "The issues of consumer obesity and wellness are of great importance to our industry," said Ed Kuehnle, President of IRI North America. "Partnering with Saint Joseph's University, we have created a program that brings together obesity and wellness experts in order to provide a unique and strategic program for senior executives to better understand and proactively address the rapid changes underway." The seminar will deliver the latest information regarding federal and local policy on wellness issues, a look into what may be ahead on the legal and liability horizon, and provide a detailed examination of the marketing, advertising, and merchandising implications specific to retailers and manufacturers in CPG. The seminar will kick off with a welcome reception hosted by Tim Hammonds, President of the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and will address such topics as: Addressing the Obesity Challenge From an Advertiser's Perspective Myron Lyskanycz, Chief Branding Officer, IdeaSphere Inc. Advertising industry veteran Myron Lyskanycz examines whose responsibility it is to appropriately inform and engage today's consumers on obesity issues. Is it advertisers? Their agencies? The federal government? Using real-world case studies, Lyskanycz will illustrate how sensitivity around this issue will play a pivotal role in the long-term success or failure of marketing plans. The Current Policy Landscape, and What You Should Do About It Nancy Childs, Ph.D., Saint Joseph's University In this keynote session, Dr. Childs, a noted Food Marketing Professor and member of Director Tommy Thompson's Department of Health and Human Services Obesity Roundtable will discuss the changing U.S. policy as it relates to obesity issues and wellness opportunities. She'll set the stage by examining the history of the issues, detail the current legislative policy landscape, and provide an update on government agency actions under consideration. What's at Stake: Litigation Update David Eggert, Partner, Arnold & Porter Could obesity be the next "tobacco" for the CPG industry? David Eggert is a litigation partner in the law firm of Arnold & Porter with extensive experience in the area of liability for consumer products. In this session, Eggert will present an analysis of the current legal climate surrounding obesity issues, including an assessment of cases at the state and federal level, lessons learned from the litigation experience of other industries, and a prediction of what the future holds. Where the Rubber Meets the Road -- Retailer Panel In this session, a distinguished panel of retail professionals from Acme- Albertsons, A&P, Clemens Family Markets, Chain Drug Review Magazine and Supermarket News Magazine will discuss how cutting-edge retailers are embracing and profiting from the obesity/wellness movement. This panel will share how the strategy of some of today's most progressive retailers is helping consumers make the right choices, while setting the stage for supplier activity to come. Nutrition and Fitness Susan Finn, Ph.D., RD Chairperson for the American Council for Fitness and Nutrition and a respected communicator in the field of nutrition, Susan Finn will be representing the Grocery Manufacturers Association, focusing on female consumers as the influencers of health and well-being for many families. She will discuss and identify the focus of women's health and wellness research, describe health concerns and habits, and identify efforts initiated by the food and beverage industry to address women's health and wellness concerns. Your Action Plan -- Ten Important Points to Remember John Lord, Ph.D. Saint Joseph's University In this proactive summary session, Dr. Lord, an industry-recognized professor of Food Marketing and advocate for changing eating patterns of the American consumer, will present ten points in the marketing product portfolio that every CPG marketer should consider for response to the marketing challenges for obesity. Roundup Panel The day-long seminar closes with a panel discussion and Q&A hosted by a group of distinguished industry leaders including: -- Linda Suydam, President, Consumer Healthcare Products Association -- Roy White, VP of Education, GMDC -- Steve Perlowski, VP of Industry Affairs, National Association of Chain Drug Stores -- Nancy Childs, Ph.D., Saint Joseph's University -- John Lord, Ph.D., Saint Joseph's University -- David Eggert, Partner, Arnold & Porter -- Myron Lyskanycz, CBO, IdeaSphere More Information Complete details on "Understanding the New Rules of Engagement on Obesity and Wellness" can be found by visiting http://www.infores.com/public/e-invite/o_w_seminar.html . About Saint Joseph's University Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1851, Saint Joseph's University advances the professional and personal ambitions of men and women by providing a demanding, yet supportive, educational experience. One of only 137 schools with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter and AACSB business school accreditation, Saint Joseph's is home to 3,900 full-time undergraduates and 3,400 graduate, part- time and doctoral students. Steeped in the 450-year Jesuit tradition of scholarship and service, the university challenges students to exceed their highest aspirations, fosters the mature development of values and deepens a desire to help shape the world. About Information Resources, Inc. Information Resources, Inc. (NASDAQ:IRIC) is a leading provider of UPC scanner- and panel-based business solutions to the consumer packaged goods and healthcare industries, offering services in the U.S., Europe and other international markets. The Company supplies CPG and pharmaceutical manufacturers, retailers, and brokers with information and analysis critical to their sales, marketing, and supply chain operations. IRI provides services designed to deliver value through an enhanced understanding of the consumer to a majority of the Fortune 500 companies in the CPG industry. More information is available at http://www.infores.com/ . CONTACT: John McIndoe Information Resources, Inc. (312) 474-3862 DATASOURCE: Information Resources, Inc. CONTACT: John McIndoe of Information Resources, Inc., +1-312-474-3862, Web site: http://www.infores.com/

Copyright