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: Progressive Grocer on June 19, 2012
Already in anticipation of next Easter, the candy company is planning a Mystery Flavor sweepstakes as it "aims to boost sales" and "make the most of consumers' eagerness to discover new and extraordinary flavors."Source: American Beverage Association on June 19, 2012
The American Beverage Association calls the article, which appeared in a peer-reviewed medical journal, an "opinion piece." The ABA tries to defend its corporate social responsibility efforts by acknowledging neither the role of sugary beverages in obesity, nor the manipulative nature of soda industry marketing.Source: MediaPost on June 18, 2012
In response to Burger King debuting its Bacon Sundae, Thom Forbes notes: "The healthy-eating finger-waggers and naysayers have brought out the free-market flagwavers in force and it's all free publicity in the bank for Burger King's marketing department."Source: Beverage Industry on June 18, 2012
To sell soda and build loyalty, PepsiCo's Mountain Dew is using brand-saturated environments, "game-vertising," avatars and brand-advocate recruitment in a cross-marketing campaign with the third Dark Knight trilogy movie release this summer.Source: Mobile Marketer on June 18, 2012
Pepsi and Lay's brand products join forces to entice consumers to "engage with their products" on their mobile devices. Says one marketing commentator of the partnership: "Just like when a celebrity works with a brand we get proof that two strong brands together can become very powerful."Source: AlterNet on June 15, 2012
As the U.S. Senate begins floor debate on the 2012 Farm Bill this week, John Robbins explains how and why government subsidies encourage the consumption of foods that are bad for our health.Source: The Washington Post on June 14, 2012
Coca-Cola plans to use corporate social responsibility to jumpstart its brand spin there. Among other things, the company will give $3 million to support job programs for women in Myanmar. Now, Cuba and North Korea are the only countries without a Coke presence.Source: Progressive Grocer on June 14, 2012
In her book What to Eat, Marion Nestle warned of the generally higher prices and lower nutritional value of processed foods in grocery store center aisles. Marketers are looking to boost sales in this section, where they find the biggest profit margins.Source: MediaPost on June 14, 2012
The campaign intends to appeal to young people who likely aren't receptive to Hidden Valley's family-oriented ads, from a time when "eating veggies was something they were told to do."Source: Complex City Guide on June 13, 2012
Americans eat 17% of restaurant-ordered meals in their car. Companies like Popeyes have responded by selling Rip'n Chick'n tenders that can be easily torn apart for munching while driving.
