Bangkok--Jan 8--Spark Communications
Herbalife International, Inc. today announced the appointment of Gregory Probert as Chief Operating Officer, with overall responsibility for the company’s business operations in 58 markets around the world. He succeeds Brian Kane, who is relocating to the United Kingdom as President, Herbalife Europe Ltd. Probert will report directly to Michael O. Johnson, the company’s chief executive officer.
Probert is a veteran business builder, highlighted by his twelve years with the Walt Disney Company, ultimately as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for the $3.5 billion Buena Vista Home Entertainment worldwide business. He led negotiations for one of the most successful worldwide distribution agreements with a major Japanese studio that generated over $100 million in profits for Disney while also streamlining international operations to dramatically improve profit margins.
As Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Asia Pacific Region, based in Hong Kong, Probert doubled revenues in under three years, developed and implemented new market openings and vertically integrated and grew existing businesses in the division. In addition, Probert ran the $1.5 billion International home video division, managing the operations of 1000 employees in 65 countries worldwide. He also served as Chief Financial Officer and Vice President in Disney’s Paris, France office, which included responsibilities for sales planning, as well as acquisitions and joint venture negotiations.
Prior to joining Herbalife, Probert was President and Chief Executive Officer of DMX MUSIC, where he developed and managed the international business strategies and operations to transition the company into a full service music entertainment operation with a daily worldwide audience of 100 million listeners.
Previously, he served as chief operating officer of Planetlingo, where he led the team that designed and built the company’s first product, an online conversational system for the $20 billion ESL market in Japan.
“Greg has a very successful track record in creating and leading multi-billion dollar consumer-oriented businesses internationally. This strategic and operational experience coupled with his visionary approach makes him uniquely qualified to manage Herbalife’s development as a world leader in the weight management and nutritional industry,” said Michael O. Johnson, chief executive officer. “Greg will play a vital role in taking the company to the next level.”
“Herbalife presents an exciting challenge to build on the solid foundation created by my predecessor,” said Gregory Probert, chief operating officer. “This is an unprecedented opportunity to improve the way we serve our distributors and their customers in our 58 markets around the world. I will be focusing particularly on top line growth coupled with increased profitability.”
Probert is the latest Herbalife hire brought in as part of new chief executive officer, Michael O. Johnson’s team to reinvigorate the brand around the world. Recent appointments include Matthew Wisk, chief marketing officer, who played an instrumental role internationally in making Nokia a global household name; Randy Brogna, vice president of event management and communications, who set new standards in live entertainment; and Henry Burdick as vice-chairman, who for the past 35 years has been an innovator in the wellness industry for such companies as Pharmavite, Crystal Geyser Water and Pharmanex.
About Herbalife International
Herbalife is a leading company in science-based weight management and meal replacements. The Company offers a wide range of weight management products, nutritional supplements and personal care products intended to support weight loss and a healthy lifestyle. The Company’s products are marketed through a network marketing system comprising approximately one million independent distributors who conduct business in 58 countries in the Asia/Pacific Rim, Europe and the Americas. In 2002, the Company had gross revenues of $1.8 billion. For more information, visit www.herbalife.com.
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