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: Advertising Age on June 27, 2011
Value meals are more popular during times of economic hardship, but because they don't generate significant profit, fast feeders are promoting them less and less.Source: Media Post on June 27, 2011
A Chiquita-branded microsite promotes both the animated film "Rio", and the Chiquita brand. The interactive site and related marketing campaign (which targeted top online parenting sites) generated significant traffic and engagement for Chiquita.Source: Media Post on June 27, 2011
IHOP's new campaign encourages customers to "make it an IHOP day". The promotion features bilingual advertisements and social media tie-ins.Source: Food Politics on June 23, 2011
Marion Nestle is dismayed that the newest IOM guidelines on preventing childhood obesity ignore the food environment and, specifically, food marketing. Instead, the recommendations focus on personal responsibilitySource: Media Post on June 23, 2011
Given the tremendous diversity in our population and especially among Latinos, Media Post's Juan Aceves argues that the entire advertising industry needs to revamp its strategies to "adapt to a new reality" and that the "White majority is not the standard anymore."Source: Media Post on June 23, 2011
Kraft Foods has launched Oscar Mayer Sandwich Combinations, which include a deli-style sandwich, a side dish, and a dessert.Source: Hispanic PR Blog on June 22, 2011
Tr3s, Motivo Insights, LLC and the New Generation Latino Consortium (NGLC) have produced The Maximo Report which discusses findings on 14-34 year olds Latinos, both U.S. and foreign-borns who have lived in the U.S. for 15 years or more. It finds that "50% of New Generation Latinos (NGLs) seek more bilingual/bicultural programs and over 30% look for 'mainstream' English-only context." It also finds that NGLs are "language neutral regarding TV content but want to see themselves and their dual culture lifestyle represented."Source: Media Post on June 22, 2011
Taco Bell's efforts to use social media for marketing have not always been successful: During one recent campaign, the chain found itself unable to give away free tacos.Source: NPR on June 22, 2011
NPR summarizes the controversy surrounding Nutrition Keys labeling and the opposing viewpoints of public health advocates and The Grocery Manufacturers Association.Source: Advertising Age on June 21, 2011
Jack in the Box has announced that it will no longer use toys to market its food to children. Some marketers believe the change will not have a significant impact, because kids' meals make up only a small portion of Jack in the Box's sales.
