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: MediaPost on December 27, 2012
Coke's mobile brand strategist discusses Coke's mobile marketing strategy, describing it as a way to reach 98% of the brand's consumers. She outlines the company's plans to optimize websites for mobile devices and enhance location-based targeting.Source: The Shelby Report on December 27, 2012
Mars Chocolate has announced plans for a new commercial to be aired during Super Bowl 2013. The spot will feature popular animated "spokescandy" Ms. Brown, a favorite with viewers, kids, and critics.Source: PR Newswire on December 24, 2012
The promotion, which targets "young, hip audiophiles" is part of McDonald's 365Black Initiative, which is intended to "celebrate the pride, heritage and achievements of African-Americans" -- and of, course, to market fast food to them.Source: Convenience Store News on December 21, 2012
The study found that Latinos were highly engaged with "pre-store influencers." The article also suggests that "tailored messaging resonates with this demographic [Latinos] and can influence decisions made later at the shelf."Source: FoodPolitics on December 18, 2012
Marion Nestle describes Beyonce's Pepsi endorsement, which will make the singer part of PepsiCo's ongoing efforts to target low-income children of color, as "a clear win for Pepsi. And a clear loss for public health."Source: Progressive Grocer on December 17, 2012
The Coca-Cola Company has announced the launch of its new Beverage Aisle Reinvention system. The system, which will affect all sodas and other sparkling beverages, is designed to "entice shoppers back into center store" with signage, organization strategies, and other enhancements.Source: MediaPost on December 17, 2012
Frito-Lay's Tostitos brand is targeting Millennials with Cantina chips, a brand that emulates flavors found in Mexican restaurants. The company has planned its biggest ever launch-campaign investment, as well as a package redesign, to reach youth.Source: Advertising Age on December 17, 2012
Diet Pepsi hopes to take back its share of the diet drinks category with an elaborate new campaign and slogan, as well as the addition of a new sweetener blend that will improve the drink's shelf life.Source: The Economist on December 15, 2012
This article from The Economist presents an overview of major companies' efforts to show that they take the obesity epidemic seriously, even as they expand in the U.S. and abroad. The author concludes, "Even as companies develop nutritious products, they will keep marketing fizzy drinks and crisps until consumers stop buying them."Source: MediaPost on December 14, 2012
Oreo concludes the year-long celebration of its 100th anniversary -- and the fulfillment of its anniversary mission to "help everyone everywhere ... celebrate the kid inside" -- by delivering 5,000 cookies to scientists at a research station in Antarctica.
