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: NACS Online on July 29, 2011
The National Association of Convenience Stores releases information stating that some Democrats question the government's proposed voluntary guidelines for food marketed to kids. These Democrats are asking the USDA, DHHS and FTC for a cost-benefit investigation to consider the voluntary guideline's "economic impact."Source: Sentinel & Enterprise on July 29, 2011
This editorial assigns responsibility for our childhood obesity epidemic to parents, saying that "It's easier to blame corporations for the ills of America Û_ but parents ought to know that they, not Ronald McDonald or Uncle Sam, should be the principal influences on their children's diet choices."Source: ReachHispanic on July 29, 2011
Since Latinos now make up 26 percent of city populations (more than any other minority group), this writer argues that funding for multicultural advertising, and particularly Latino-targeted advertising, should grow as well.Source: MediaPost on July 28, 2011
Marketing professional Sebastian Aroca argues that, within the decade, Latinos and non-Latinos will be absorbed into a larger multicultural society. He advises marketers to be aware that acculturation is "a two way street."Source: BusinessWire on July 28, 2011
Coca-Cola selects eight telenovela fan winners who participated in sweepstakes as part of the My Coke Rewards Telenovela Club promotion. The grand prize includes a weekend with two telenovela stars, Cristian de la Fuentes and Jacqueline Bracamontes. The next Telenovela Club promotion will start on August 30 through mycokerewards.com.Source: Hispanic PR Blog on July 28, 2011
As part of PepsiCo's initiative "La Promesa de PepsiCo" targeting Latinos, the company co-sponsors National Council of La Raza's (NCLR) national luncheon. Industry representative says: "Our partnership with NCLR will help us achieve those goals and be part of the solution."Source: Business Wire on July 27, 2011
Yum! Brands partners with pop star Christina Aguilera to launch the World Hunger Relief initiative in KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bells chains. Funds will benefit the UN World Food Program.Source: Food Politics on July 27, 2011
Nestle is not impressed with McDonald's new Happy Meal. She points out that several of McDonald's changes are only more choices for parents and children, such as the low-fat milk option, and the automatic changes like the 3-4 apple slices are "tiny baby steps."Source: McDonalds.com on July 26, 2011
McDonald's changes its menu to include more "nutritionally-balanced choices" and promote more nutrition information through its national marketing initiatives. The new Happy Meal, rolling out by September 2011, will include apple slices and a smaller portion of French fries.Source: Food Politics on July 25, 2011
Campbell's soup recently announced that it will no longer reduce its salt content because the lower levels did not produce sales. Nestle comments: "When it comes to a commitment to public health, the bottom line is all that counts."
