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: PR Newswire on October 10, 2012
The "Recipe of the Month" or "Receta del Mes" campaign contains both in-store and online elements and is designed to increase customer engagement. Customers can submit recipes through Facebook or the company's website, and chosen recipes will be featured online.Source: Finchannel.com on October 09, 2012
University of Liverpool researchers have found that, despite regulations on television advertising of junk food to children in the UK, "unhealthy foods are still heavily promoted, and healthier options are significantly under-represented."Source: Food Politics on October 09, 2012
Marion Nestle questions the beverage industry's claim that the new Calories Count Vending Program shows its commitment to reducing obesity. She argues, "If these companies really wanted to help reduce obesity, they might start by eliminating sugary drinks," and points out that the initiative is just an effort to head off further, more restrictive regulation of the soda industry.Source: Supermarket News on October 09, 2012
Kraft won accolades from CPG consultants for its product "innovations" aimed at health conscious consumers and young people. They include MiO (flavored vitamin drops) and Newtons Fruit Thins. Kraft says Millennials are "a new target audience for the Kraft Foods refreshment beverage brand."Source: Progressive Grocer on October 09, 2012
The study surveyed Spanish-dominant Latinos as well as those who speak mainly English. The report argues that bilingual nutritional information may not be enough to convince foreign-born Latinos to buy "healthier" foods, and the marketing for those foods must fit with cultural values about health and nutrition.Source: American Beverage Association on October 08, 2012
Municipal buildings in San Antonio and Chicago will be the first sites to launch the beverage industry's new "Calories Count" program. Among other measures, the program will include calorie labeling on vending machines.Source: FoodNavigator-usa.com on October 08, 2012
Pepsi wants to tap into women's concerns about weight loss and healthy aging. To this end, it's developing an initiative called P.L.A.Y. (protein, liquid, activity, you-time); the actual protein product hasn't yet been determined. Pepsi is working with focus groups to fine-tune messaging.Source: PR Newswire on October 08, 2012
"Influencers" are bloggers or people with a large social media presence. The new service uses these bloggers to infiltrate Latino's social media networks: "BlogFrog works with online influencers to generate authentic conversations that are aligned with a brand's messaging. These conversations consist of original content from influencers, which is then amplified by their readers who share on social media."Source: QSR Magazine on October 05, 2012
The Kids Recipe Challenge asks a panel of elementary school children to select winning nutritious recipes from children's menus. The NRA describes this corporate social responsibility campaign as an effort to "[galvanize] the restaurant and foodservice community around the importance of ensuring that American families have ready access to nutritious food."Source: MediaPost on October 05, 2012
Subway will be featured in highly anticipated upcoming Disney movies, including Frankenweenie and "Wreck-it Ralph." The publicity will include social media promotions as well as point-of-purchase displays.
