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: Take Part on October 15, 2013
The fast-food giant announced a closure of the fine print loophole allowing them to not actually remove soda from the kids' meal signage on its menu boards. Originally, the company had pledged to remove pictures of soda from Happy Meal advertisements and in-store advertising, but would continue to list soda on kids' menu boards. After pressure from public health advocates, McDonald's agreed to phase out soda on the kids' menu altogether.Source: PR Newswire on October 14, 2013
7UP's and McDonald's partnership with the awards show will both include nationwide, online sweepstakes to win tickets to the event. McDonald's will also reach consumers through its McCafe at "Latin Grammy Street Parties" in top Latino markets across the country.Source: Food DIVE on October 14, 2013
From SweeTarts shaped like skulls and bones to "Dracula" popsicles with a tie-in to Unilever's kid-targeted game and video site "Max Adventures," food companies are rolling out many new products in time for the fall holiday.Source: PR Newswire on October 08, 2013
The scholarship program is for high-schoolers in the tri-state New York, Connecticut and New Jersey area. There are separate scholarship programs for African-American, Latino and Asian-American/Pacific-Islander students.Source: CBS News on October 07, 2013
According to a recent study, many of the foods promoted by famous athletes are unhealthy. The findings are especially worrisome to advocates because of the popularity of these ads among teens. The study's authors have called on professional athletes to "use their status and celebrity to promote healthy messages to youth."Source: Advertising Age on October 04, 2013
As the Winter Olympics and World Cup approach, Coke is ramping up its music-focused marketing efforts by incorporating local musicians and sounds in the promotional songs it will release globally to support the events.Source: MediaPost on October 04, 2013
"Satisfries," Burger King's new lower calorie, lower fat alternative to regular French Fries, appear to have driven a substantial boost in positive perception among parents and consumers who consider themselves in good health.Source: The Hill's Congress Blog on October 04, 2013
Health advocate and consultant Nancy Huehnergarth draws on research from Michele Simon, the Center for Science in the Public Interest, and others to unmask how McDonald's "misled the media" and advocates when the company recently pledged to make healthy changes to children's Happy Meals.Source: Warc on October 03, 2013
In light of the influence that Indian children have on purchasing decisions for a variety of products (including items that are not child targeted), Indian marketers now try to "[get] into the consideration set of the parent, through the child." Marketers describe this child-centered strategy as "often the best way to a parent's wallet."Source: MediaPost on October 03, 2013
Drawing on data showing that many car owners would be more likely to eat in their cars if food would fit in a cup holder, KFC has released the "Go Cup," a plastic container that holds 5 of the company's snacks and fits in most cars' cup holders.
