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 09, 2012
7UP recently announced a partnership with the "premier Hispanic U.S. soccer-scouting program," Alianza de Futbol. The deal will help 7UP build brand loyalty among Latinos by hosting the Sueno Alianza tryout series, where up-and-coming players will have a chance to compete to play collegiate or professional soccer.Source: Reuters on May 08, 2012
The Public Health Advocacy Institute, based at Northeastern University School of Law, has called on the FTC to withdraw a Gatorade advertisement that deceptively implies the product helped basketball legend Michael Jordan overcome the flu for a landmark 1997 game.Source: The Bay Citizen on May 08, 2012
Bay Citizen columnist Andy Wright summarizes the results of a recently released study from the Institute of Medicine which concludes that "the United States promotes obesity by offering few options for a healthy lifestyle." The study has drawn fire from food, beverage and restaurant industry lobbyists who claim these conclusions are an example of "food nann[ying]."Source: PR Newswire on May 08, 2012
As part of its African American-targeted 365Black platform, McDonald's is hosting a nine-city U.S. gospel tour that will feature popular performers such as Fred Hammond and VaShawn Mitchell. The company claims the concert series, which will wind through major cities in the south and Midwest, shows that "McDonald's is committed to being deeply rooted in the community."Source: Advertising Age on May 07, 2012
Looking to stop Pepsi's recent slump in the beverage market, the company has launched a global campaign, "Live Now," partnering with Nicki Minaj and replacing pespi.com with "Pepsi Pulse" to target youth.Source: New Europe Online on May 07, 2012
The study finds that eating junk food not only satisfies cravings, but also creates them.Source: The New York Times on May 04, 2012
The fast-food giant uses Twitter to drive people to view new commercials that feature farmers and ranchers and portray McDonald's ingredients as "authentic".Source: UPI on May 02, 2012
Chicago considers adding a beverage tax on sodas, energy drinks and other sugary beverages. In defense, industry representatives claim that a tax would hurt jobs.Source: American Beverage Association on May 02, 2012
In response to a study about the dental harms of sports and energy drinks, the beverage industry vehemently denies that foods or sugary beverages lead to dental caries. Instead, they place responsibility on individuals, genetics, and personal lifestyles.Source: Food Politics on May 02, 2012
Marion Nestle reviews the report that describes what the FDA will do in food areas, such as updating the nutrition facts label and implementing menu and vending machine labeling regulations.
