We're barely back to school, it’s not remotely close to Halloween, yet the mass muck of Christmas consumerism is filling the aisles, as marketers turn up the volume on pester power to target parents relentlessly. Wal-Mart is leading the techno-begging frenzy with a whimsically cheerful interactive toyland site of smarmy back-talking elves with attitude. These … [Read more...]
While runway models are keeping the press humming about the slim scene, I’m tracking what’s going on BEHIND those curtains with celeb and ad types abuzz (literally) about a new ‘energy drink’ that crashed the runway parties. Just when you thought marketing to kids couldn’t get much more toxic, “Drink Cocaine” is the message, with 280 milligrams of caffeine in an 8.4 oz can, … [Read more...]
Update 2015: When in doubt...buy 'em out. sigh. More Coke and soda obfuscation and payola with registered dieticians, pay for play research, junk science via medical sock puppets and obesity blame game shifting to position Coke as an 'energy balance' alternative. (facepalm) Unspeakable public health policy with targeting kids of color Just really appalling marketing … [Read more...]
“I don’t know what you said to my kids but they're calling soda “liquid candy” and sports drinks “Hummers in a bottle” for the ‘overkill’ factor.” Ah, music to my ears. Shaping Youth's hallmark is counter-marketing, so I could barely contain my glee when I caught wind of this after one of our 'm-power' enrichment … [Read more...]
Tweens (8-12) are in the crosshairs of marketers as companies are relentlessly chasing a $51 billion 'opportunity.' Kids seem to be more aware of it than adults are, and that's a bit unsettling. Maybe parents should check out the cover story of Revenue magazine, "The Lure of Youth: Reeling in teens is a huge opportunity for online marketers. Don’t let the big one get … [Read more...]
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