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: QSR Magazine on April 11, 2012
More than 3,000 schools in 37 states now participate in Domino's Pizza's Smart Slice school lunch program, which was recently modified to meet the revised USDA nutrition standards for school lunch.Source: MediaPost on April 11, 2012
The three-minute videos, which are heavy on celebrity and light on branding, attempt to reach young viewers on an "emotional, non-forced level" and can be easily shared through Facebook and Twitter. The newest videos will feature stars like Jessica Biel and Chris Pratt.Source: Drug Store News on April 10, 2012
The campaign features a commercial that "dramatizes the potential for anyone to be a hero," along with limited edition cans and an online game.Source: Advertising Age on April 10, 2012
Corporate Accountability International, a consumer advocacy group, is urging the 27 U.S. hospitals that house McDonald's franchises to end their contracts with the chain. CAI argues that the chain is benefitting from an "associated perception of healthfulness." McDonald's has retaliated with a statement that it "relies on the consumers' sense of personal responsibility."Source: Forbes on April 10, 2012
Burger King launched a commercial featuring Mary J. Blige singing about the company's new product Crispy Chicken Wraps. The ad was pulled after African-Americans criticized it for promoting racial stereotypes.Source: Advertising Age on April 09, 2012
A new mobile app, called Fooducate, is intended to help consumers make healthy purchase decisions. The app helps users "grade" foods based on how processed they are and what nutrients they contain.Source: PRWeb on April 09, 2012
The industry cites new product launches, the "increased westernization of diet patterns", and an "eating in" trend during a down economy as reasons for the growth of the snack foods market.Source: MediaPost on April 09, 2012
Two new Volkswagen Beetle Peepster cars have joined the spring Peeps "Magical Moments Tour", an ongoing promotion for the candy throughout the U.S. The tour includes brand ambassadors who distribute samples, coupons, and "Random Acts of Sweetness" at special events, schools, hospitals, community events and other venues.Source: PR Newswire on April 06, 2012
Hostess is urging Americans to celebrate National Twinkie Day with a social media promotion and coupons promoting the new Chocolate Creme Twinkies.Source: MediaPost on April 06, 2012
Industry commenter Thom Forbes discusses the probable impact on the food industry of high-profile instances of "food fraud", like the well-publicized scandal over "pink slime." He urges transparency in food manufacturing, echoing a food science researcher who encourages the food industry to "tell consumers what they're buying. Give them an option. Let them make the choice."
