Update Dec. 21, 2014 Every year my teen prefers experiential "go-see-do" gifts to anything I can wrap up and put under the tree, (other than a GoPro which was a 'save up' winner for a milestone birthday) and so every year I have had a media "spin off" that segues from pop culture pervasiveness into an offline unplugged adventure. Studies show that presence over presents … [Read more...]
Wrapping Up the Gift of Time: Part Two Hunger Games
Filed Under: Branding & Consumerism Tagged With: Counter-marketing, gift of time, holidays, Hunger Games, kids commercialism, media literacy activities, non toy gifts
TOADY Awards: Vote for Worst Toy and Inspire Change
Dec. 4, 2014 Every year I twist into a cartoon grimace and let out an “AAUGH!” like Charlie Brown when I scan the CCFC contenders on the TOADY "worst toys" list. (TOADY=Toys Oppressive And Destructive to Young Children)As much as I try to flip my lens toward what’s making waves with worthiness, there’s always one on the list that makes me stop and vote, “oh, no they … [Read more...]
Filed Under: Branding & Consumerism, Damaging Drek Tagged With: Barbie body image, Barbie Girl Scout doll, Barbie remixed, Barbie Sports Illustrated Swimsuit, branding kids toys, CCFC, commercialism, consumption junction, corporate ad creep, Discover the forest, encouraging STEM, Feminist Hacker Barbie, Girl Scout Barbie, girl scouts, GSA, I can be anything Barbie, in-school marketing, junk food branding, kids commercialism, Lego Friends, Let Toys Be Toys, Life size Barbie, Mattel, Mattel branding, McDonalds toys, Nestle Quik cookie drink, nonprofit commercialism, Shell Oil Lego, TOADY Awards, toxic toys