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: MultiVu on July 31, 2013
Grammy award-winner Carlos Vives will be featured in a print advertising campaign in Latino magazines for Got Milk? nationwide. The target marketing campaign also has a social media tie-in, with "exclusive" photos from Vives' photo shoot posted to Got Milk?'s "Bigote de Leche" Facebook page.Source: Warc on July 29, 2013
Amid a long-term decline in music industry sales, brand endorsement contracts between musicians and major corporations have boosted sales for artists and given food and beverage companies one more way to market to youth. For example, PepsiCo recruited tween heartthrobs One Direction to market its sugary beverages to young consumer audiences. And Smirnoff was accused of encouraging under-age drinking when it recruited Madonna to market its products.Source: Food Navigator USA on July 29, 2013
Like many brands known for offering unhealthy food, Hostess is responding to consumer demand for healthy options by developing gluten-free and whole grain products. But health is only part of the brand's comeback strategy after filing bankruptcy last fall. Hostess is also using nostalgia to drive sales with the reintroduction of its original Twinkie and other popular junk foods.Source: Chicago Tribune on July 29, 2013
As part of Quaker's effort to makeover its "just-oats" image, the company is "finding ways to integrate oats into new products," such as Jamba smoothies, which now include a "Quaker Oat boost" option for consumers. The companies are also planning a series of new products for Jamba cafes, including cookies, granola bars and baked goods.Source: Warc on July 25, 2013
To boost sales and compete with competitors like Kellogg's, General Mills is leveraging a variety of social media platforms to market its cereal products, including a Facebook group, a new website, and a growing presence on Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr. The company is using these media outlets as a tool to market reformulated products to an increasingly health-conscious consumer base.Source: Progressive Grocer on July 25, 2013
The Hispanic Retail 360 Summit, aimed at helping retailers and marketers target Latinos, will feature a performance from American Idol finalist Stefano Langone. The summit organizers commented that his "good looks, youthful energy and Latin fire" would help complement the theme of this year's summit: "Understanding Millennials' Path to Purchase."Source: PR Newswire on July 23, 2013
With the arrival of the Prince of Cambridge last week, marketers are capitalizing on the opportunity for anniversary-pegged campaigns. Dunkin' Brand enterprises like Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins are among those that have used the occasion to their advantage by launching and marketing sugary products like "Royal Munchkin" donut holes and a timely "Baby Shower Cake."Source: PR Newswire on July 23, 2013
The fast-food giant hosted an event last Saturday in which it gave a free backpack to the first 100 kids that went to their local McDonald's restaurant. This is an example in a string of recent efforts-like the companies' "Back to School Health & Safety Fairs" event-to market a community-conscious image to consumers.Source: The New York Times on July 23, 2013
Under pressure from consumers, health advocates, and politicians, major corporations are rushing to revamp their products to appeal to growing expectations for healthier options. This New York Times article explores the industry's latest attempt at self-regulation: enlisting top chefs in the field to help design healthier products.Source: Packaging News on July 22, 2013
Coke plans to launch a new bottle in Argentina to market Coca-Cola Life, the company's latest attempt to appeal to heath-conscious and "eco-friendly" consumers. Coca-Cola Life is sweetened with zero-calorie stevia instead of sugar, and the new green-labeled PlantBottle is 100% recyclable.
