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 December 13, 2011
Panda Express is hosting a holiday party for elementary school students designed to promote its "Leader in Me" leadership and academic program, which involves more than 25,000 children at 25 schools.Source: San Francisco Chronicle on December 12, 2011
A front-page story in the San Francisco Chronicle describes the food industry's efforts to fight proposed voluntary marketing guidelines developed by the Interagency Working Group. Industry spokespeople are quoted, as are public health advocates from Prevention Institute, the Rudd Center, and others.Source: AlterNet on December 12, 2011
Steven Rosenfeld discusses industry pushback against food labeling, and compares it to the tobacco industry's efforts to avoid regulation. He points out that the food industry's efforts to avoid regulation "omit any mention of the millions of overweight American kids and teenagers, or the government's legitimate interest in improving public health trends."Source: Food Politics on December 09, 2011
Marion Nestle discusses the recent report from the Environmental Working Group that showed that most children's cereals contain high levels of sugar. She points out that although companies are trying to reduce sugars "by a little ... it's not enough."Source: PR Newswire on December 08, 2011
Mountain Dew's successful cross promotion with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare continues with the "Mega Fan Experience Sweepstakes." The winner played the game on one of the world's largest HD screens, located at Cowboys Stadium. More than 1.4 millions fans have participated in the Call of Duty cross promotion so far.Source: PR Newswire on December 07, 2011
Cuties California Clementines and Mandarins will now be available across the country. The company is promoting the national launch with an interactive website that targets children and parents. Parents are urged to upload images and videos of their children for a chance to receive a $150,000 scholarship.Source: Advertising Age on December 07, 2011
The Instituto Alana, a Brazilian consumer defense group, filed a complaint against McDonald's, arguing that the inclusion of a free toy "distorts values" and "encourages unhealthy eating habits" among children. In response, the government of Sao Paulo has fined the company.Source: QSR Magazine on December 06, 2011
As part of "the Subway brand's commitment to provide expert nutritional information and recommendations," Subway has tapped corporate dietitian Lanette Kovachi to write an advice column for Subway.com titled "Help! My children won't eat vegetables!". The column includes suggestions that underline parental responsibility.Source: Huffington Post on December 06, 2011
Huffington Post writers report on social media trends among Latinos, the fastest-growing market in the United States. They examine two key questions: 1) Do people or businesses "own" social media? 2) Are bloggers or brands more important when it comes to capturing the [Latino] market?Source: PR Newswire on December 05, 2011
Dunkin' Donuts is launching a Twitter contest to promote the debut of its new Mint Hot Chocolate. Contestants can Tweet their favorite 'MoMint' of the holiday season to compete for Dunkin' Donuts gift cards.
