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: Advertising Age on May 31, 2012
Coca-Cola and the American Beverage Association are just two of the groups that have come out in protest against Mayor Bloomberg's proposed ban on the sale of large sodas in New York City. Coca-Cola, for example, has claimed the proposal is an "arbitrary mandate" that insults the intelligence of New Yorkers.Source: The Detroit News on May 31, 2012
Kellogg has completed its purchase of Pringles, making it the number 2 savory snack maker in the world, second only to PepsiCo.Source: Advertising Age on May 31, 2012
Pepsi Max's newest campaign, starring NBA Rookie of the Year Kyrie Irving, is a viral video success: The first video has over 6 million views on YouTube, and the latest debuted at 5.4 million views.Source: The New York Times on May 31, 2012
The New York Times argues that Mayor Bloomberg is "overreaching" with a new plan to ban sales of large sodas, and suggests that too many bans may cause people to "tune out" anti-obesity messages.Source: The New York Times on May 30, 2012
Mayor Bloomberg has announced a controversial plan banning the sale of large-size sodas in New York City's public spaces (including restaurants and movie theatres, among others). The measure, part of the Bloomberg administration's ongoing effort to combat obesity, has drawn fire from the beverage industry.Source: Advertising Age on May 30, 2012
Pepsi and Twitter have partnered for an extensive year-long campaign titled "Live for Now Music." The partnership will use streaming video, pop-up concerts, and free downloads to reach fans.Source: QSR Magazine on May 30, 2012
Taco Bell's latest corporate social responsibility campaign focuses on at-risk teens. The company will donate up to $1 million to Graduate To Go in exchange for social media participation. Popular actor Mark Wahlberg is also involved in the campaign.Source: PR Newswire on May 29, 2012
Krispy Kreme will be distributing free doughnuts on "National Doughnut Day," the first Friday in June. The chain is promoting the giveaway with an interactive website and a Twitter campaign, among other efforts.Source: QSR Magazine on May 29, 2012
McDonald's will be the official quick-service restaurant sponsor of several events in the Rock 'n Roll Marathon series benefiting cancer research and other causes. McDonald's has described the sponsorship as an opportunity to help customers "make choices that are right for them when visiting McDonald's."Source: MediaPost on May 25, 2012
Industry writer Thom Forbes reports on McDonald's decision to reject a proposal from Corporate Accountability International that called for the company to examine its role in the childhood obesity epidemic. His analysis includes emotional quotes from McDonald's executives about "the good [the company] has done" for children's health.
