Feds need to define ‘natural’ claims on labels
Source: Advertising Age on March 11, 2013
The lack of FTC and FDA standards to define 'natural' gives marketers too much leeway, resulting in misinformation for the consumer and lawsuits for marketers.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.
UK: Coke reformulates Sprite as part of ‘anti-obesity’ campaign
Source: FoodNavigator.com on March 11, 2013
The new product offering will have 30 percent less calories than regular Sprite, due to the addition of the sweetener stevia. Coke says this is part of its effort to "raise awareness" about low- and no-calorie beverages (though they continue to push full-calorie "choices").Psychology professors question link between advertising and obesity
Source: The New York Times on March 08, 2013
Professors Christopher Chabris and Daniel Simons critique previous research that correlates increased exposure to outdoor food ads with an increase in obesity. Yet instead of recommending precautionary measures until more research is conducted or calling on advertisers to demonstrate that their marketing is not harmful, the authors say that "talk of restricting ads is premature."Taco Bell plans elaborate cinema campaign to launch Cool Ranch Doritos Locos Tacos
Source: QSR Magazine on March 07, 2013
Taco Bell will run 3-D advertisements at movie theaters starting in March. They will be the first 3-D ads from a fast food company. The ads are designed to target 18-34 year olds. More than 90% of the theaters running the ads are within a 5-mile radius of a Taco Bell restaurant.Food and drink brands lead in direct Twitter mentions in the UK
Source: Warc on March 07, 2013
In a study of UK Twitter users, McDonald's topped the list of brands generating direct mentions on the social media platform. Food and drink companies overall accounted for about a third (32%) of all mentions. Of food and drink mentions, the majority (73%) came from women.New survey reveals broad consumer support for corporate social responsibility (CSR)
Source: Advertising Age on March 07, 2013
Sixty percent of consumers polled said they look for "brands with a sense of purpose." Yet marketers vastly underestimated that number, with only 46 percent saying that consumers share their "support for good causes." It remains to be seen how, if at all, food and beverage companies will step up their CSR efforts in light of these findings.Report released on private sector’s (weak) efforts to keep Let’s Move pledges
Source: DiversityInc on March 07, 2013
Partnership for a Healthier America (an outgrowth of Let's Move) released a progress report on companies' pledges. The report is cheery, of course, but many public health advocates call the collaborations compromising and the achievements meager.Is ‘Salt Sugar Fat’ keeping marketers up at night?
Source: Advertising Age on March 05, 2013
Getting right to the heart of the issue, Ad Age asks marketers whether they are "worried that Michael Moss' book ... will lead to increased regulation on packaged food and beverages." The article contains excerpts from Moss' book, showing that food marketers saw parallels to tobacco as long ago as 1999.Yogurtland debuts ‘Flavor Quest’ app and videos
Source: MediaPost on March 05, 2013
Self-serve frozen yogurt chain Yogurtland has launched a "Flavor Quest" promotion featuring a "Flavor Finder" app and humorous adventure videos. The smartphone app allows consumers to find Yogurtland locations that offer specific flavors. The videos, on YouTube, chronicle the travels of Yogurtland's fictional "flavorologist" as he searches the globe for new taste sensations.McDonald’s targets Latinos with ad featuring pick-up soccer game
Source: Advertising Age on March 04, 2013
The commercial, called "Cancha" in Spanish and "Match" in English, was shot twice -- once entirely in Spanish and again mostly in English with a mix of Spanish. The ad is a part of the company's lead up to the World Cup in 2014. The ad will be a "global spot" run on markets around the world.