Marketing has a profound affect on the foods we eat and the beverages we drink, yet most of that marketing is for products we should avoid. BMSG monitors the media to help keep advocates informed of the tactics food and beverage companies use to target children, communities of color, and other groups that are particularly susceptible to the health harms these products cause. Below are archives of our monitoring.
Source: NPR on July 09, 2012
Truman Medical Center, Kansas City's main hospital for low-income people, is just one of many hospitals across the nation that houses fast food outlets and cafeterias with nutritionally poor foods. Truman CEO John Bluford points to economic reasons for hosting, and getting rid of, fast food.Source: The Sydney Morning Herald on July 09, 2012
The Ad Standards Bureau upheld the Cancer Council's complaint about McDonald's Happy Meal website, finding that it promoted unhealthy food choices by using online characters and interactive games aimed at kids. Encouraged, the Council calls the finding a "game changer."Source: Huffington Post on July 06, 2012
The Assembly, an elected body that monitors London's mayor and has the power to amend the mayor's annual budget, called for a ban on the corporations. The Assembly said purveyors of high-calorie products should not be allowed to sponsor an athletic event like the Olympics.Source: PR Newswire on July 06, 2012
McDonald's 365Black Initiative has enabled the chain to build long-term connections with African American communities -- connections that the company exploits to market its products. The most recent example of McDonald's concerted targeting efforts is the 365Black Awards, an event in New Orleans that honored popular entertainers, athletes, musicians and public figures for making positive contributions to the community.Source: The New York Times on July 05, 2012
The company partnered with the Nickelodeon show iCarly to create print and digital advertising tailored to children. Birds Eye is undertaking the campaign through an agreement with the Michelle Obama-approved Partnership for a Healthier America.Source: PR Newswire on July 05, 2012
The purveyor of sugary smoothies is attempting to bolster its image as a "healthy lifestyle" brand by donating water polo balls to several schools in Los Angeles. The gesture is part of the juice company's larger "Team Up for a Healthy America" campaign.Source: MediaPost on July 05, 2012
After creating a cookie with 6 layers of rainbow-colored frosting to show its support for LGBTQ pride events, Oreo saw its positive perception among young adults rise.Source: PLoS Medicine on July 05, 2012
The Director of Yale's Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity criticized the food industry for making "minor progress" at best in creating a healthier food landscape for consumers. At the same time, he holds public health officials accountable for settling for corporate "baby steps."Source: Advertising Age on July 03, 2012
Coke's "Move to the Beat" global campaign features eight athletes. It specifically targets teens but aims at families as well. Coke executive Katie Bayne made an airy connection between the brand and health: "Coke [has] a timeless commitment to enhance well-being in all of its forms."Source: PR Newswire on July 03, 2012
Arby's Foundation is joining the anti-hunger group Share Our Strength on a national tour to "raise awareness about childhood hunger." The charitable arm of the sandwich chain also funded a mobile texting program that connects hungry families with free meal sites.
