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: Bloomberg Businessweek on Feburary 14, 2014
Despite the industry's promises not to market to children, Mondelez International is pushing its sugary candy products Sour Patch Kids and Swedish Fish using a Sour Patch Kids advergame and the health claim that Swedish Fish are uniquely "fat-free" when, in fact, all gummies are fat-free. The company is also offering free samples of their Sour Patch Kids candy for downloads of mobile games using a rewards feature.Source: PR Newswire on Feburary 13, 2014
The Julieta Venegas and Los Amigos tour is the latest effort in the brand's "sustained initiative towards the US Hispanic market" through sponsorship of live music events featuring Latino stars. The sponsorship is being promoted as a "solid statement by Jack Daniel's as a spirit brand that supports authentic and independent music" with promotion including a ticket giveaway and a social media campaign featuring the hashtag #JackSala7.Source: Media Post on Feburary 13, 2014
A recent survey found that Coca-Cola's "America the Beautiful" Superbowl ad featuring the song sung in multiple languages, was by far the favorite commercial of Latino viewers despite racist comments from other viewers.The survey predicts that industry will continue to develop culturally targeted ads in an effort to connect with the growing Latino demographic.Source: Business World Weekender on Feburary 13, 2014
Monster Energy Drink knows their main consumer base is made of young males and targets this group with a marketing strategy that appeals to their "desires and ambitions." A marketing executive from the company says, "atMonster all our guys walk the walk in action sports, punk rock music, partying, hanging with the girls, and living life on the edge...Monster is a lifestyle in a can."Source: Food Navigator on Feburary 07, 2014
In an effort to target Millennials who enjoy authentic food truck cuisine, fast food and fast-casual restaurants are developing "ethnic-inspired breakfast items." McDonald's, Burger King, Jack in the Box, and Sonic are all offering breakfast burrito products, while Subway is offering "Asian flavors" by way of Sriracha sauce on its sandwiches.Source: StarTribune on Feburary 07, 2014
Coca-Cola and other beverage giants will not let the popularity of at-home carbonation machines among Millennials interfere with their bottom line. Coca-Cola announced that it would produce a line of its drinks that consumers can make at home with soda machines, and both PepsiCo and Coca-Cola are developing flavored drops for water.Source: Media Post on Feburary 05, 2014
The applesauce snack line launched a new media campaign targeting parents by touting the product's "100% natural" ingredients and portable packaging. The campaign features the promotion of "Play Day", an event created by GoGo SqueeZ to strategically associate their products with active, healthy kids. The multi-platform campaign features television commercials, print ads, social media, and digital coupons.Source: Daily Finance on Feburary 05, 2014
Marketing research shows how the growth of digital marketing is driving change throughout the restaurant industry, specifically via pizza chains such as Pizza Hut and Dominos. These chains are increasingly targeting gamers, cost-conscious consumers, and busy families celebrating birthdays and holidays with convenient ordering through mobile apps and game consoles.Source: US Magazine on Feburary 03, 2014
Coca-Cola's commercial featuring "America the Beautiful" sung in multiple languages ignited racist comments on social media platforms. While some responses were positive, the racist remarks posted were an unsurprising response after the discriminatory reaction to last year's Cheerios commercial featuring a biracial couple and their daughter.Source: New York Times on Feburary 02, 2014
Coca-Cola, Heinz, Dannon Oikos, and Budweiser all aired family-friendly commercials during their Super Bowl spots this year, clearly targeting parental approval in their efforts to sell junk food to kids and alcohol to adults. The ads were a strategic move away from past risque commercials which alienated families as consumers.
