Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Weight Watchers International President & CEO Linda Huett today cut the ribbon on Weight Watchers' new corporate headquarters in New York City.  The company, which provides weight-loss services in thirty countries, moved its headquarters to 11 Madison Avenue in the Flatiron District from Long Island.  The 70,000 square-foot location consolidates about 100 corporate jobs from the Long Island office with the company's WeightWatchers.com unit for a total of roughly 250 employees.  New York City Economic Development Corporation President Andrew M. Alper and Partnership for New York City President & CEO Kathryn S. Wylde attended the ribbon cutting ceremony at Weight Watchers' new offices.

"From the start, one of our Administration's primary goals has been to attract successful companies like Weight Watchers that can diversify and strengthen our economic base so that our City's prosperity isn't solely dependent on the financial services sector," said Mayor Bloomberg.  "Those efforts are starting to pay off: the most current job numbers show that unemployment in New York City has fallen to 5.5% - marking the first time since 2001 that it has been less than 6% for four months in a row, and our City's economy is now growing faster than the nation's for the first time since 2001.  Weight Watchers, a world-renowned company, recognizes that New York is the business capital of the world, not only for companies in the City's core industries like financial services, communications, and media and entertainment, but for all types of companies looking to benefit from our unmatched workforce and unparalleled access to business services, and domestic and international markets."

"We're thrilled Weight Watchers chose to locate its headquarters in New York City," said EDC President Alper. "From Midtown and Lower Manhattan to Long Island City and Downtown Brooklyn, New York City has an array of central business districts that fit the needs of companies of all types and sizes.  Our Client Services group is designed to make companies aware of all of them and to help make important decisions about where in the City to locate their operations."

The relocation to New York City represents a homecoming for Weight Watchers, which was started more than 40 years ago in Little Neck, Queens.  New York City was the company's first choice as the location for its new headquarters because of the highly educated and diverse workforce the City offers.  The move also will allow the company to work more closely with its publishing group located at 747 Third Avenue.

"We have had a presence in New York for a long time," said Weight Watchers International President & CEO Linda Huett.  "With more than 50 centers, over 550 meetings, and over 300 meeting room personnel already providing support to New Yorkers in the five boroughs, we feel privileged to now have our headquarters in the greatest City in the world."

"Weight Watchers International is a terrific addition to the City's business community," said Partnership for New York City President & CEO Kathryn Wylde. "CEO Linda Huett leads a team of highly-skilled employees who will capitalize on and contribute to the City's growing assets in the health sciences and medical research fields.  The decision to locate another international corporate headquarters here illustrates the City's status as the global center of commerce."