Jenny Craig's fortunes are rising, thanks to PR, Kirstie Alley, and liberal use of a certain F-word

A couple of years ago, a Jenny Craig-sponsored consumer survey revealed that the public felt the company was outdated and more of a your-mother's-diet-type program, as opposed to the trendier South Beach or Atkins diets.

But a little synchronicity, a call from a "fat actress," the use of the F-word (fat), and positive PR changed things dramatically.

"Two years ago, it was really dismal," says Cozette ...