Independence Day: A Global Worldview For Shaping Youth

In their holiday hello titled, “experience the 4th” global branding firm Cheskin, now Added-Value.com  filled my e-mail with fun factoids and knowledge nuggets to jolt me out of American myopia. As always, this world renown research firm skimmed the layer off superficial messaging and delved deeper into a broad based worldview. It was a solid reminder that ‘we the people’ are … [Read more...]

4th of July Mini Round-Up of Media, Shaping Youth

Remember when games were played rather than viewed; outdoors instead of in? Every year our funky little neighborhood celebrates 4th of July with old-fashioned kids’ lawn games like three-legged races, sack hoppin,’ horseshoes, a water balloon toss and Star Spangled banner salute, run by (you guessed it) yours truly. From this kids' 4th of July book list from … [Read more...]

Maxed Out On Energy Drinks? Pepsi Shouts, “Wake Up People!”

This month Diet Pepsi Max started targeting guys that need to watch their spare tire and want a little extra fizz to keep awake, while yawning at the keyboard. This week it hit store shelves, the FDA tightened guidelines for “dietary supplements,” (herbals, botanicals, amino acids, etc.) and CSPI reported a new study on aspartame cancer risk in rats... … [Read more...]

Windorphins Viral Buzz, Brought To You By…

Is it a NeoPet? A Puffle? A goofy avatar? A virtual world icon or some sort of currency to buy virtual goods in a tween space? Animal, vegetable or mineral? Windows promo maybe? Nope. They're not even for kiddies. Those colorful mutant blobs of cartoon playfulness dotting billboards and bus signs are Windorphins (win+endorphins, get it?) brought to you by…eBay. The … [Read more...]

Apple iPhone Hype Seeds Kids Consumerism

“The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” Adults chiding each other like spoiled brats to be the first on the block to try, review, diss, or blather about the iPhone makes me want to hang up on the blatant disconnect between what parents preach and teach about mass media. Some industry brass were miffed they weren’t sent one for free, others cluck … [Read more...]