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: PR Newswire on September 25, 2013
Between 1975 and 2000, Anheuser-Busch commissioned artists to paint portraits of African leaders; in 2012, these paintings leant their name to the Legends of the Crown scholarship program the company developed in partnership with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). This year, the company hosted a leadership symposium for Legends of the Crown scholars that was inspired by the art collection. The symposium is just the latest piece of the company's larger efforts to connect with the African-American community by "supporting educational opportunities [and] advancing cultural awareness."Source: PR Newswire on September 24, 2013
Nestle's product lineup includes several items that are specifically designed to appeal to Latinos, including Nestle Abuelita and Nescafe Caf de Olla. This year, the company is using these two beverage brands to connect with consumers on Dia de los Muertos and urge them to celebrate the holiday with "cultura a su manera" (culture their own way). The holiday campaign will include a number of strategies, including social media outreach and sponsorship of several high-profile, culturally resonant activities.Source: Ag Week on September 23, 2013
The First Lady invited representatives from the food and media industries as well as advocates, parents, and researchers to discuss the role food marketing plays in childhood obesity. While many large food companies have voluntary food marketing guidelines, the guidelines are much more lenient and self-serving than guidelines previously proposed by federal agencies.Source: ConfectioneryNews.com on September 23, 2013
Ferrero USA joins the Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative (CFBAI), the Council of Better Business Bureaus' self-regulatory program to stop marketing unhealthy foods to kids. However, researchers and advocates, including former government health expert Dr. William D. Dietz, say that voluntary regulatory efforts like CFBAI may not be enough to reign in junk food marketing to children.Source: BBC News on September 20, 2013
In response concerns about childhood obesity rates, the Dudley Council has mandated that fast food restaurants cannot be built near schools and youth clubs in the borough.Source: MediaPost on September 20, 2013
A new study shows that youth who "like" brands on Facebook often recommend the brand to friends and are likely to have purchased something from the brand before connecting with them through social media. The study authors suggest that marketers should do more to tie their social media strategy to broader efforts to market to youth.Source: Food Dive on September 19, 2013
In keeping with its targeting of Latino communities, one of Pepsi's four stations will be a Latin music station. Some of PepsiCo's brands, like Mountain Dew and Frito-Lay, are also expected to get their own branded stations as part of the iTunes partnership.Source: Food Manufacturing on September 19, 2013
Michelle Obama asked food companies to "do even more and move even faster" to market responsibly to children. Obama commented that the goal is to "empower parents instead of undermining them" and noted that marketing nutritious foods is "good for companies' bottom lines."Source: Food Dive on September 19, 2013
A recent survey shows that kids have a significant influence on grocery store purchases: Over two-thirds of surveyed adults with children reported that their kids play a key role in the groceries they choose.Source: Food Politics on September 19, 2013
Marion Nestle's blog about the event, which BMSG's Lori Dorfman attended and spoke at on behalf of the Food Marketing Workgroup, includes excerpts from Michelle Obama's speech on marketing to kids and the responsibility of food marketers to create demand for healthy foods.
