happier.com works with positive psychology leaders to build online science-backed tools to help users track, measure and improve happiness

Key facts:
• happier.com is the first set of easy-to-use and engaging online happiness-boosting tools
• happiness is at an all-time low, and happier.com was designed to help alleviate this problem
• Noted author and researcher Dr. Martin Seligman is an exclusive consultant
• Use of the site increases happiness, resilience, optimism, engagement and meaning
• The tools on happier.com are based on over a decade of research showing that people can learn to be happier
• happier.com is a platform for science-backed self-improvement
• Components of happier.com include over a dozen online happiness-building tools and tests, 140+ exclusive videos on the science of happiness, and a free iPhone application
• Almost 40,000 users registered for happier.com during the public-beta phase
• Tests and videos are available with a free registration
• The five happiness plans and exclusive exercises are available to paying subscribers, at $4.99/month
• Major companies have begun trials of happier.com  for their employees

News summary:
happier.com is a new website launching on September 23, 2009 designed to help people not just be happier but “do happier.”  This innovative website provides online tools and exercises for users to make an immediate positive impact on their lives.  The website allows users to participate for free by taking 4 validated tests with instant feedback on strengths, optimism, happiness and positivity.  More than 100 exclusive videos from the world’s leading happiness researchers and practitioners are also included in this section of the site.

Premium users can subscribe for just $5 a month for access to more than a dozen research-backed tools customized to increase happiness, resilience, optimism, engagement, and meaning.  The founders worked closely with positive psychology experts, including Martin E.P. Seligman, an exclusive consultant to happier.com, who is the “father of positive psychology” and a noted professor from the University of Pennsylvania.  Dr. Seligman is the best-known author, teacher and researcher in the field of positive psychology.  His work spans 30 years, 200 articles, and books in over 20 languages.

Tags/Keywords:
positive psychology, Martin Seligman, science of happiness, Authentic Happiness, self-improvement, self-help, wellness, iPhone, Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, Doug Hensch, Andrew J. Rosenthal, happiness, resilience, Todd Kashdan, Barbara Fredrickson, Robert Biswas-Diener, positivity, happier.com

Company quote:
“Users start feeling happier after just an hour or two on the site, and within weeks, we start to hear phrases like ‘life changing’ and ‘just the solution I was looking for.’  The site, happier.com, offers scientific solutions for real improvement,’ says Andrew J. Rosenthal, co-founder of happier.com.

“Positive psychology doesn’t take a therapist, it doesn’t take an expert — it’s something you can do yourself. And you can do it … online.” says Martin Seligman, Ph.D., Consultant to happier.com.

Customer quote:
”I feel better just from one evening.  I thought about the good of the day and the good in my life.  It helped my perspective and anxiety tremendously.  I think this will be the answer I have been looking for. Thank you so much.”
- happier.com user  M.T., 54, from Utah.

Links:
Official website for happier.com
Table showing free and paid features
Library of 140+ free videos
happier.com blog
Download the traditional press release as a PDF
Download the one-page background sheet as a PDF

Social Media and Meetups:
twitter: @happier
fan page on Facebook
Positive Psychology Practitioners group on LinkedIn, by happier.com
happierPhilly.com – Philadelphia area happier.com meetup
happierDC.com – Washington, DC area happier.com meetup

Company Background:
happier.com is a personal trainer for your happiness.  With more than a dozen tools and tests to help you measure, track and improve your happiness, you can trust the happier.com experts to help you reach your goals.  Exclusive videos and a popular blog mean there’s something new to learn every day.  Download the free iPhone application or find what you’re looking for with the Positive Psychology Practitioner Directory.  happier.com is on Facebook, LinkedIn, and twitter and has meetup groups in Washington, Philadelphia, and Portland, with more planned.  Questions?  Give us a call at 1.888.HAPPY.05.

Contact Information
Co-founder: Andrew J. Rosenthal, 215.629.9210 x 13, media@happier.com, twitter: @happier

Public Relations: Christa Guidi, Cashman & Associates, 215.627.1060, cguidi@cashmanandassociates.com or Courtney Sochacki, Cashman & Associates, 215.627.1060, courtney@cashmanandassociates.com