Burger King announces changes in origins of food products
Source: Gawker on April 25, 2012
Burger King announces that by 2017 it will purchase only eggs and pork that come from producers who don't confine animals to cages or crates.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.
Coca-Cola uses pop stars Chino y Nacho to target young Latinos
Source: Billboard.biz on April 25, 2012
Coca-Cola won the Billboard Latin Music Marketing award for social media/online campaigns for its "Seremos Mas" promotional commercial. The commercial featured pop stars Chino y Nacho and builds on theme of digital media connectedness all while showing young Latinos drinking Coca-Cola.Target increases number of stores that offer fresh foods
Source: Progressive Grocer on April 24, 2012
Target stores attempt to increase their visibility in the food and beverage market by touting their commitment to offering fresh food choices. By the end of 2012, more than 1,100 Target stores will offer the new fresh food layout.Sugary cereal: breakfast candy or weight management tool?
Source: The Atlantic on April 24, 2012
Cereal companies continue to tout their sugary products as a solution to the childhood obesity epidemic. Margo Wootan and David Ludwig urge companies to work with the Obama administration instead of lobbying against voluntary guidelines for marketing to children.Is Ronald McDonald the New Joe Camel?
Source: Advertising Age on April 23, 2012
The popularity and use of spokespersons and characters like Ronald McDonald to market fast food to children is very similar to that of the tobacco industry's Joe Camel.Burger King distributes free samples to promote new menu items
Source: QSR Magazine on April 20, 2012
Burger King is using in-store samples and BK branded foodtrucks to promote new menu items, such as chicken strips and frappes, in 40 cities around the country.Frito Lay partnership is profitable for Taco Bell
Source: Advertising Age on April 19, 2012
The release of the successful Doritos Locos Taco is part of Taco Bell's plan to expand the brand's appeal and "make [it] more mainstream with male and female target audiences."Parents support nutrition standards on competitive foods in schools
Source: Reuters on April 19, 2012
The advocacy group Kids Safe and Healthy Foods has released a study showing that parents support proposed legislation that would require healthier food be sold in schools (outside of cafeterias). In general, parents agree that children "can't make that healthy choice . . . [with] all those temptations under their noses."PepsiNext takes over BuzzFeed to engage social media fans
Source: MediaPost on April 19, 2012
On April 19, Pepsi used social media aggregator BuzzFeed to promote the PepsiNext "Try it to believe it" campaign. The campaign is structured to encourage users to try PepsiNext while they explore new viral content.Coca-Cola partners with Spotify to reach teens
Source: Advertising Age on April 18, 2012
Music startup Spotify has partnered with Coca-Cola as part of the "Year of Music" campaign. The partnership, which may include cross partnerships with McDonalds, is part of Coke's ongoing effort to reach teens worldwide.