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: Asbury Park Press on May 10, 2013
For 30 years, McDonald's has hosted Gospelfest, an event designed to build relationships in African-American communities and align the brand with cultural and musical touchstones. In addition to the corporate branding that is typical of any corporate-sponsored event, participants can audition for the show at local McDonald's franchises.Source: Futurity on May 09, 2013
Researchers found that teens' brains registered more activity when watching food commercials. They also recalled and liked food commercials more than commercials for other products. The release of this study might represent an opportunity for advocates to talk more about the connection between marketing, media exposure, and children's health.Source: Common Dreams on May 09, 2013
During National Teacher Appreciation Week, CAI helped draw attention to McDonald's exploitation of teachers, parents, and students through "McTeacher's Nights," a promotional event during which teachers provide free labor to the fast food giant. McDonald's uses the event to draw in families for dinner and then donates money to the teachers' school.Source: Hispanic PR Blog on May 08, 2013
Coors Lights has partnered with "urban Latino music duo" Wisin & Yandel for a summer campaign called "Coors Light Refreshes Your Summer." The campaign will feature free music downloads, a sweepstakes for tickets to the H2O Music Festival in Los Angeles, as well as branded point-of-sale materials and in-store appearances.Source: Think Progress on May 08, 2013
A new study from researchers at the University of Arizona demonstrates that fast food companies are "packing children's TV programs with Spanish-language marketing." Among other troubling findings, researchers learned that children are substantially more likely to see commercials for unhealthy food featuring popular cartoon characters while watching Spanish-language programming than while watching English-language shows.Source: Warc on May 07, 2013
Mondelez found that its marketing efforts were most effective when digital and television advertising were used together. According to the vice president of global media for the global snack foods company, "The layering of media is where we see the most interesting opportunities." Watch for more global brands to try and make their advertising dollars work harder using this strategy.Source: Warc on May 06, 2013
Australia continues to lead in research and advocacy around junk food marketing -- not just to kids in this case, but to their parents as well.Source: Advertising Age on May 03, 2013
Keeping with American Idol's premise to 'crowdsource' new pop stars, Coke, a major product placement marketer on the show, has called on fans of the brand to help create a new song that Carly Rae Jepsen will sing during the finale.Source: Advertising Age on May 02, 2013
The ad depicted a badly battered white female asked by a police officer to pick out a perpetrator from a lineup of black men and a goat. The incident illustrates the power of social outrage, especially when fueled quickly through social media networks.Source: Advertising Age on May 02, 2013
By using a thin vending machine, Coke's strategy is to suggest that the product will help you diet.
