Care 2 Make a Difference? Show Kids How, Year-Round

All too often kids feel powerless to have their voice heard and their actions counted. We wrote about how World Wildlife Fund brought kids into the dialogue to post their own ideas and actions in time for Earth Day. Well, Earth Day ended yesterday, and I wonder if that momentum will too. In a retail world where Valentine’s cards are hauled out before Christmas tinsel is … [Read more...]

Want to End Media Hate Messages? Go For the Gold.

Update: 4-28-14 No, I'm not going to write a feature about the Clippers controversy to give even a smidge of attention to the ignorance and arrogance of teamowner Donald Sterling's racist ramblings purportedly captured on audio tape, as it appears his ouster is long overdue, and since media claims that he LIKES attention, akin to the shock jock genre of baiting outrage, it pays … [Read more...]

Despite Heavy Product Placement, This Momzy Liked Mimzy

Mimzy–the rabbit from outer space that warbles unintelligible planetary profoundity, will no doubt be merchandised into oblivion. Even my 11-year old made a wry commercial slam, “I wonder how long ‘til Mimzy is in Build-A-Bear with a customized sound chip?” Wow. This kid’s been hanging out with me way too much lately. She’s right … [Read more...]

Selling Healthy Kids Cuisine Via Product Presentation

Presentation is everything. How many times have we heard that in advertising? This Happy Lunch Haiku site of photos proves marketers are missing an opportunity to sell healthier choices to kids. As a child I lived in Japan for 2 ½ years, and the presentation of “edible art” never ceased to amaze me. (admittedly, I also have fish head flashbacks from … [Read more...]

Media, Shaping Youth: Kaiser Study Shows 50 Hours of TV Food Ads/Yr.

Kaiser Family Foundation released the largest study ever conducted of TV food advertising to children today. I’ll keep my editorializing to a minimum, since I mirror the CSPI food industry guidelines on advertising responsibility. The study, Food for Thought: Television Food Advertising to Children in the United States, was presented at a forum with U.S. Senator Sam … [Read more...]