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: Portada on December 02, 2015
McDonald's continues its "Game Time Gold" campaign, which targets Latinos who watch American football. The fast food giant has used sweepstakes, partnered with famous Latino sports commentator Enrique "El Perro" Bermudez, and held weekend "Half-Time Breaks" at select locations to lure Latino customers.
Source: NY Times on November 24, 2015
Two consumer advocacy groups, the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood and the Center for Digital Democracy, have filed complaints to the Federal Trade Commission about advertising content in the YouTube kids app. They argue that "online video aimed at children is too commercialized and is not held to the same standards that apply to cable and broadcast television." Jeff Chester, a BMSG collaborator and executive director of the Center for Digital Democracy, is quoted criticizing these deceptive marketing strategies.
Source: HispanicPR on November 17, 2015
Honey Bunches of Oats is engaging the Latino community by launching #LatinosConDedicacion at the 16th Annual Latin GRAMMY Gift Lounge. At the award show, company representatives will interview guests and celebrities about what they are passionate about. Viewers watching at home are encouraged to share the hashtag #LatinosConDedicacion on social media. For every person that posts, Honey Bunches of Oats will donate $1 to Feeding America. While donating meals to the hungry is a worthy cause, this campaign uses the guise of "doing good" to target Latinos with a sugary product.
Source: Portada on November 16, 2015
This month, McDonald's is targeting its Latino demographic by holding sweepstakes for tickets to the Super Bowl, collaborating with sports commentator Enrique "El Perro" Bermudez, and hosting "Half-Time Breaks" at select McDonald's to bring "f̼tbol Americano one step closer to the cultura Latina."
Source: hospitalityindustry.com on November 16, 2015
Earlier this week, McDonald's co-hosted the 2015 McDonald's Flavor Battle competition for DJs, along with Complex Media. This event is part of McDonald's 365Black platform, which specifically targets the African-American community.
Source: CNN on November 09, 2015
Researchers at Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine found a "dual-pronged approach" employed by packaged food and drink advertisers which simultaneously creates demand for the product among children, and misleads parents into believing it is healthy.
Source: Voice Chronicle on November 02, 2015
New research published in the Journal of Pediatrics demonstrates the effect TV advertising has on children’s food choices. The study found that children who are exposed to TV advertisements for fast-food restaurants (particularly ones offering toys) are significantly more likely to ask to eat there. Once they receive a toy, 83% of them want to come back.
Source: CNN on November 02, 2015
A recent report from the Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity examined TV snack advertising to children and teens from 2010-2014. Over the course of five years, the study found that “Black children saw 99% more ads for savory snacks and Black teens saw 129% more, compared with white children and teens.” In response to the report, soda industry officials use the conventional argument that it’s up to individuals to self-regulate rather than the industry to maintain equitable practices.
Source: Wall Street Journal on October 20, 2015
Amid declining sales, the fast food chain is testing energy drinks in about 20 of its U.S. locations. This Wall Street Journal article mentions the health concerns associated with energy drinks but misses the important context that energy drinks have been under scrutiny for youth-directed marketing
Source: Portada on October 19, 2015
The California Milk Processor Board teamed up with Goodby Silverstein & Partners and Grupo Gallegos to launch a multimedia “#FoodLovesMilk/#MeGustaConLeche” campaign targeting English and Spanish speakers. This campaign will utilize a wide range of mediums including billboards, commercials, Twitter hashtags and a nine-part online video series featuring Hispanic celebrities Eddie G! and Yarel Ramos.
