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: MediaPost on May 22, 2012
Mountain Dew will launch a multi-pronged campaign linked to the release of the much-anticipated summer blockbuster "The Dark Knight Rises" to target Millennials aged 18 to 24. The campaign, which will feature an immersive website, a limited-edition flavor, and extensive NASCAR sponsorship, is designed to "enable fans ... to immerse themselves in the world of the Caped Crusader and Gotham City through customized experiences."Source: Advertising Age on May 21, 2012
Brewers are broadening their marketing strategy to appeal to Latinos and African Americans, who are predicted to drive 70% of beer growth between 2000 and 2020. Because "African-Americans have influence over white drinkers, and Hispanic audiences are so large and acculturated," companies like MillerCoors are making their general marketing "more inclusive" by including multiracial actors, stars like Ice Cube, and music from artists like PitBull and Jay-Z.Source: UPI on May 20, 2012
According to researchers at the Royal College of Surgeons, smoothies, juice, and juice drinks like Capri Sun could damage children's teeth due to their acidity and high sugar content, though sodas like Coca-Cola remain the most harmful.Source: MediaPost on May 17, 2012
A recent study from the Rand Corp. cautions parents that when they eat out, their chances of finding a truly healthy children's entree are "painfully low" because the majority of national chain restaurants exceed the recommendations set by the USDA for the ideal combination of nutrients in a children's meal.Source: The Bay Citizen on May 17, 2012
Writer Andy Wright presents the potential public health benefits of the sugar-sweetened beverage tax proposed in Richmond, California, in an easy-to-read graphic and table.Source: U.S. Food Policy on May 17, 2012
U.S. Food Policy blogger Parke Wilde provides an overview of the findings of a recent USDA Economic Research Service report, which showed that, based on two out of three metrics, healthy foods cost less than less healthy items. However, when comparing the price of food in cents per calorie, unhealthy foods remain more expensive.Source: Hispanic PR Blog on May 17, 2012
The National Hispanic Milk Mustache campaign will launch a series of 35 online videos that feature famous Latino stars of the milk mustache campaign, such as Salma Hayek. The short film series appears to target Latina mothers in particular, with topics like "raising bilingual children" and "tips for raising a healthy family."Source: Corporations and Health Watch on May 16, 2012
The Institute of Medicine recently released a report that ostensibly will present comprehensive solutions designed to solve the United States' obesity crisis. Michele Simon calls the report "uninspired," and takes the IOM to task for failing to challenge the food industry and the predatory practices it uses to market junk food to children.Source: The New York Times on May 15, 2012
Soda companies are increasingly turning their marketing attention to bottled waters, fortified beverages, and energy drinks as soda sales slump. The decline, which some believe may represent the start of a "paradigm shift away from carbonated soft drinks," is in part due to the efforts of many schools and local governments to ban soda sales in public spaces.Source: Foodnavigator-usa.com on May 15, 2012
Following the release of the Institute of Medicine's report on solutions to the obesity crisis, food industry journalist Caroline Scott-Thomas calls on companies to "make [customer's health choices] as routine and easy as possible."
