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: American Today on September 14, 2011
An article from the American University in Washington's business research magazine explores the ethics of target marketing to American teenagers in the age of digital advertising.Source: Asbury Park Press on September 14, 2011
American Heart Association volunteer Dr. Kenneth Maynard urges food companies to adopt the government's food marketing guidelines to "help families make healthier food choice and reduce the risk for hear disease and stroke."Source: Advertising Age on September 12, 2011
PepsiCo is changing its multicultural staffing in an effort to ramp up advertising to Latinos.Source: Target Market News on September 12, 2011
The Senior Vice President of McDonalds will deliver the keynote address at a forum hosted by the Nation Association of Black Owned Broadcasters (NABOB) on September 22. The speech is being billed as "a unique opportunity to have a key decision-maker present from a distinguished company that ... has set a global standard when it comes to African-American marketing and the role that Urban Radio plays tactically," according to one Forum founder.Source: Media Post on September 12, 2011
Gatorade and the National Basketball Association (NBA) launch a road show called the "Gatorade NBA Training Center" that features former NBA players in a series of events to attract athletic consumers.Source: PR Newswire on September 12, 2011
This week, McDonaldÛªs launches a new Happy meal, which the company claims will help families "make nutrition-minded choices." The new Happy Meal will automatically include apple slices, choice of beverage with options like fat-free chocolate milk, and smaller French Fries package.Source: American Free Press on September 09, 2011
Coca-Cola suspends a $22 million investment in France to protest the country's new tax on sugary drinks, declaring that "This (investment) has not been cancelled but it must be re-evaluated in the context of uncertainty created by the tax."Source: Public Relations Society of America on September 09, 2011
In this letter to the editor to The Guardian, the Public Relations Society of America argues that "businesses can be a positive partner" to inform consumers. The public relations firm states that transparency in how companies market foods to children is the best approach so that ÛÏboth parties [adults and children] benefit."Source: Media Post on September 08, 2011
Tumblr is the second most visited site by Latino web users, and now supports Spanish. Industry commenter Lee Van encourages marketers to use this social media platform to effectively target Latinos, and particularly young, female Latina web users.Source: Food Politics on September 08, 2011
Nestle critiques the UK governmentÛªs Public Health Responsibility Deal, which involves a voluntary partnership with the industry. She notes how 33 national food companies have failed to commit to one or more voluntary pledges.
