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: Warc on April 04, 2013
A study found that Coke's sales had not increased following the Olympics, while rival Pepsi saw volume sales increase by 10 percent. Energy drinks also saw growth in the UK and were the beverage category that grew the fastest.Source: QSR Magazine on April 03, 2013
Church's is tapping into price-based marketing strategies. The "recession-proof" promotion uses humor to promote limited-time only "Almost Free" offerings, like two pieces of chicken and a biscuit for $1.99.Source: Nation's Restaurant News on April 03, 2013
The customizeable meals include healthier side dish options; however, as a new study from the Center for Science in the Public Interest shows, most kids' meals are still too high in calories, fat and sodium.Source: PR Newswire on April 02, 2013
Unilever is partnering with Northgate Gonzalez Market, a Hispanic grocery chain with 36 stores in Southern California, for a shopping rewards program. Consumers who spend at least $100 on eligible Unilever products will be given two tickets to see Latin artist Reyli at an exclusive concert (tickets to the event cannot be purchased, only earned through the rewards program).Source: The Bay Citizen on April 02, 2013
This investigation from the Center for Investigative Reporting puts a human face on a larger policy issue -- in this case, the ongoing battle over expanding or restricting the school lunch program.Source: Philly.com on April 02, 2013
Food and beverage companies spend billions each year to target kids with mostly unhealthy products. Referencing a BMSG report on target marketing, the chief of staff of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health shows how pervasive the issue is, especially in communities of color, which are disproportionately targeted with ads for junk food.Source: Common Dreams on April 01, 2013
On the heels of a new report from the Center for Science in the Public Interest that exposes how the soda industry uses philanthropy to disguise the health harms its products cause, Anne Lapp̩ advocates "challenging companies that are making our communities sick."Source: The Huffington Post on March 30, 2013
Are Latino kids are being "unfairly targeted as study subjects" in childhood obesity studies? That's what the soda lobby would like you to believe, says Tony Castro. Castro notes that obesity among Latino kids, who are disproportionately targeted by soda marketers, is a "serious national health problem."Source: QSR Magazine on March 29, 2013
The $5 meal contains all the usual suspects: burger, fries, big soda, and -- because it's Dairy Queen -- an ice cream sundae. DQ executives talk about the importance of "value" in tough economic times but fail to mention the huge social price tag of unhealthy food.Source: Food Politics on March 29, 2013
On the heels of signing a new bottling agreement in Spain, Coca-Cola released yet another anti-obesity ad there in an attempt to head off criticism about the link between sugary beverages and obesity. In the ad, Coke focuses on personal responsibility via its messaging that people sit less and move more.
