Genie Francis and Kristy Swanson to Star in New Television Ad Campaign for Medifast

Genie Francis and Kristy Swanson to Star in New Television Ad Campaign for Medifast

Marketing campaign also includes print advertising, web advertising and interactive web pages chronicling each star's weight-loss journey

OWINGS MILLS, Md., July 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Medifast, Inc. (NYSE:MED) announced today it will be unveiling a new television ad campaign to be launched in mid-August featuring celebrity spokeswomen Genie Francis and Kristy Swanson. Francis is best known to fans as Laura from the hit daytime drama General Hospital, while Swanson is best known to fans as Buffy from the 20th Century Fox movie Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

The 120-, 60- and 30-second spots were filmed July 10-11 in Glendale, Calif. Francis and Swanson will be featured in separate television spots highlighting their weight-loss progress to date. Francis, using Medifast for five weeks, has already lost over 14 pounds. Swanson has been on the program for just three weeks and has quickly lost nine pounds.

Francis and Swanson will also be featured in upcoming print and online advertisements that will complement the television campaign.

The new Medifast campaign also includes an integrated media and public relations strategy. Francis' story and commercial shoot is featured on the cover of the latest edition of Soap Opera Digest and ABC Soaps in Depth. She will also be on the cover of an upcoming edition of Quick & Simple magazine.

Behind-the-scenes segments of Swanson's commercial shoot aired last week on Extra and E! News as well as Inside Edition this weekend.

Medifast has revamped its website (ChooseMedifast.com) to support the Francis and Swanson marketing strategy. Francis and Swanson are now sharing their personal weight-loss journeys with Medifast clients online, through interactive journals, chats, meal plans and much more.

Francis is a mother of two looking to lose about 35 pounds. She chose Medifast for the completely portable products that fit her busy lifestyle, and the personalized support Medifast offers through its Health Coaches and web support system. Francis is currently on the popular Medifast 5 & 1 Plan, eating 5 Medifast Meals and 1 Lean & Green Meal each day.

Swanson is a new mom looking to lose about 30 to 35 pounds. She chose Medifast because she was looking for a fast and healthy way to lose the additional weight gained during her pregnancy.

About Medifast:

Medifast (NYSE:MED) is the leading easy-to-use, clinically proven portion-controlled weight loss program. Medifast has been recommended by 15,000 physicians and used by over one million customers. It is committed to enriching lives by providing innovative choices for lasting health. Medifast programs have been proven effective through studies by major university teaching hospitals. The company sells its products and programs via four unique distribution channels: 1) the web and national call centers, 2) national network of physicians, 3) medically supervised Medifast Weight Control Centers, and 4) the Take Shape For Life direct-selling division, a network of health coaches. Medifast was founded in 1980 and is located in Owings Mills, Maryland. For more information log onto ChooseMedifast.com

   Media Requests:   Michael Sands   Sands Digital Media, Inc.   310-850-4755  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: jelwood@medifastdiet.com

Source: Medifast, Inc.

CONTACT: Michael Sands of Sands Digital Media, Inc., +1-310-850-4755, for
Medifast, Inc.

Web site: http://www.choosemedifast.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment