Snack Attack: Counter-Marketing Using Shaping Youth’s “THREEP”

For all those parents who have winced, cringed, nagged and cajoled to stop training kids like Pavlov’s dogs to salivate at sports whistles and expect a snack at every game, here’s a round-up of handy hints to rein in the junk food snack pack syndrome. If you’re pulling out your hair watching kids play a healthy sport while tanking up their bodies with … [Read more...]

Pink Princess Fairytale Flakes; Candy Bars For Breakfast

I’m not sure which tweaks me more, junk food glop dyed pink in stereotyped splendor, “berry” cereals that have nothing remotely resembling fruit, or confusing callouts, (vitamin-D, calcium, lightly sweetened) that make people believe this crud is actually consumable, as a ‘healthy’ start to your day. Leave it to General Mills to have all three apply in the newly launched … [Read more...]

Can Somethin’ Be Done About All This Consumption?

Does a stuffed animal REALLY need its OWN designer camera cell phone, ipod, silver sequined belt, 'pawsport' to travel, sneakers, underpanties, headband, matching outfit and gazillion accessories? Every time I see the master marketing behind Build-A-Bear (complete with barkers at the door to entice people inside and computerized ‘birth certificates’ to capture kids’ data) I … [Read more...]

“Love Buzz”: Beer Cans in the Kiddie Aisle Fall Flat

Here we go again. Shades of those old candy cigarettes from yesteryear that went by the wayside. Kiddie Valentine treats plopped in a can of brewski? Beer cans of ‘love buzz’ in the candy-n-kids section of WalMart have popped open some controversy. No alarmist implications of direct ties to teen substance abuse stats here, just a great big WHY? Why is Cocaine in a … [Read more...]

Keepin’ It Real: Advertorials Purposely Confuse

Today’s “Daily Candy” e-zine, purporting to be the “ultimate insider’s guide to what’s hot, new, and undiscovered” is stumping for big box retailers, which tanks their credibility as a boutique ‘kids picks’ site for new and different offerings. They position themselves for "busy and hip parents" with an impressive … [Read more...]