BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Super Scare Me! FTC request has restaurant industry worried]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/04/23/super-scare-me-ftc-request-has-restaurant-industry-worried/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/04/23/super-scare-me-ftc-request-has-restaurant-industry-worried/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/04/23/super-scare-me-ftc-request-has-restaurant-industry-worried/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

With the tobacco industry's experience all too fresh in their minds, the nation's restaurants, beverage and food suppliers learned late last week that the Federal Trade Commission is going to subpoena 44 of them for all records of their marketing of junk food to children. The info will be gathered to aid in preparing a report to the Senate on child obesity.

In the wake of the film Fast Food Nation (based on the best-selling book of the same name) and the award-winning documentary Super Size Me, public opinion seems to be moving away from blaming we consumers for our inability to deny the fry, and placing it on marketers of less-than-wholesome foods. Already this year we've seen the nation's restaurants scramble to divest themselves of trans fats.

However, an attack on core products such as doughnuts, pizzas, burgers and soft drinks would have enormous financial ramifications for businesses such as KFC (YUM Brands, NYSE:YUM) and McDonald's (NYSE: MCD), since those items are the profit margin.

This could also enhance the climate for personal injury claims.

Sen. Edward "Sticks" Kennedy introduced the Prevention of Childhood Obesity Act in the last Congress, and although it didn't emerge from committee, it appears that the issue will be on the front burner this time. Don't be surprised if the clerk at your local 7-11 starts asking to see proof of age before you can buy a Ding Dong.

Super Scare Me! FTC request has restaurant industry worried originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 23 Apr 2007 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>child obesityChildObesityfast foodfast food marketingFastFoodFastFoodMarketingobesityobesity and fast foodobesity and marketingobesity house of representativesobesity sentateObesityAndFastFoodObesityAndMarketingObesityHouseOfRepresentativesObesitySentateMon, 23 Apr 2007 15:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Shrek- spokestroll against obesity, for Happy Meals]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/02/01/shrek-spokestroll-against-obesity-for-happy-meals/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/02/01/shrek-spokestroll-against-obesity-for-happy-meals/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/02/01/shrek-spokestroll-against-obesity-for-happy-meals/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Shrek, Dreamworks Animations' (NYSE:DWA) billion-dollar baby, has taken on another job in addition to shilling for McDonald's Happy Meals (NYSE:MCD) -- encouraging America's kids to play off that French-fry tire.

The green meanie with a heart of gold and his cohorts are featured in the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Service's Smallstep program, aimed at getting children to engage in active play at least an hour a day. His image and the slogan, "Be a player," will be showing up in multiple venues, including as online, billboards and television ads. According to the Wall Street Journal (subscription required), the department has received over $270 million in comp ad placements already.

I can't help but think that the rollout of this program, shortly in advance of the release of Shrek 3 on May 18th, is no coincidence, but a nifty piece of cross-marketing. It helps compensate for the character's pitches for products such as Pepsi and McDonald's Happy Meals, under attack by those concerned about our nation's health.

In fact, I'd suggest expanding the program. When the movie opens, how about requiring that viewers park a few blocks from the theater and walk the rest of the way?

Shrek- spokestroll against obesity, for Happy Meals originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 01 Feb 2007 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>child exercisechild obesityChildExerciseChildObesityDisneydreamworks animationDreamworksAnimationdwamcdmcdonald'sshrekshrek 3shrek smallstep programShrek3ShrekSmallstepProgramsmallstep programSmallstepProgramThu, 01 Feb 2007 11:55:00 EST