Parents for Ethical Marketing
is a young, grassroots organization of people concerned about the effects of corporate marketing practices directed at young children.
A quick note to pass along some new blogs (well, new to me at least) that you might like:
Nursery Rhymes and Night Lights Parenting and Montessori.
The Millikan Daily Psychology and technology.
Our Suburban Homestead Waldorf and Esty Shop.
Wisdom Pursuit Advice and inspiration.
Somehow I survived my once-a-year trip to a mall and even had the joy of discovering a new Disney Princess product:
Copy reads: Do not apply “ . . . to nails that are thin, damaged or infected. For children ages 5 +.”
Most five-year-olds’ nail are naturally thin. I would not want to be around when those things have to come off, either during normal bath time or by accident, when the little princess tries to actually play (except the sit-on-a-chair-like-a-princess-and-don’t-move-for-hours-game).
Ouch.
The smart parent should take their daughter to this salon in Texas, which recently installed special chairs for children:
For cute! But the French manicure costs extra!
If you live in Minnesota you’ve undoubtedly been solicited to contribute to a worthy nonprofit tomorrow, November 17, on Give to the Max Day. It’s sponsored by GiveMN, “a new online resource that helps Minnesotans discover, support and engage with the charities that are right for them.”
All contributions made from 8:00 a.m. on November 17, 2009 until 8:00 a.m on November 18, 2009 will be matched by the generosity of some super big foundations. That’s free money!
So please consider donating half as much as you might otherwise to Parents for Ethical Marketing. Why? So we can keep fighting the good fight. Thanks.
Larger image here. H/T Norwegianity. Photo courtesy allisonallison.
Chris Steller writes about the University of Minnesota’s marching band forming the TCF logo on a new promotional video. Not sure if this was included in the details of the contract signed when TCF put up dollars for the new stadium, but these were:
[TCF Bank Stadium] and/or Stadium Logo shall be prominently displayed in a fixed manner on the exterior of the Stadium . . . visible and readable from the two intersections abutting the Stadium site through which it is anticipated that the majority of cars passing the Stadium will move . . . [T]the University shall not be required to demolish any existing buildings in order to achieve such visibility.
[TCF Bank Stadium] shall appear on all University Home Game tickets . . . University shall not use Home Game or Event ticket backs to advertise or promote any Financial Services Company or its products or services. . . .
[TCF Bank Stadium] and/or Logo will appear on name badges used by service employees employed by University. . . .
[TCF Bank Stadium] and/or Logo will appear on all vehicles that are exclusively dedicated to maintenance at the Stadium.
Personally, I wouldn’t have allowed entrance into the stadium without the pass code: ”TCF. Open 7 Days.”
UPDATE [10/13]: Looks like my idea isn’t far from reality: Show Your Card Promotions at TCF Stadium.
This is the trailer from the 2006 film, Captive Audience: Advertising Invades the Classroom, including some words from Naomi Klein:
Originally published as Nag Factor Or Pester Power: Getting Parents To Buy What Kids Want by Jo-Ann Heslin in HealthNewsDigest.com. Reprinted with permission. Image courtesy Greencolander.
Pester power refers to children’s ability to nag parents to purchase food or other items they might not otherwise buy. Marketing to children is all about creating pester power because advertisers know what a powerful force it can be. Babies as young as 6 months old can form mental images of corporate logos and mascots. Brand loyalties begin as early as age 2. By the time children enter kindergarten most recognize the Golden Arches and know what they stand for.
Marketers intentionally plant the seeds of brand recognition in very young children in the hopes of cementing a lifetime relationship. As adults many of us have fond memories of favorite cookies, candy, and hamburger restaurants we visited as children. Companies market nostalgic candy brands to adults who long for childhood treats.
But the difference between our childhoods and those of children today is the ubiquitous presence of food advertising – TV, internet, social networking, cell phones, school events, and vending machines. Many companies employ “buzz marketing.” They get the coolest kids to wear their clothes or sip their drinks so other kids will elevate the product to trendy and cool.
Fast food and cereal companies have been cultivating brand recognition with children for decades. Cracker Jacks was one of the first companies to capitalize on children’s love of collecting things by hiding a toy at the bottom of each box. Restaurant chains often pack movie or cartoon characters in kid’s meals setting up parents for return visits to accumulate the entire collection.
Schools used to be a place where kids were safe from food ads, but no longer. Schools now sign exclusive contracts with beverage companies to make up for budget shortfalls. Sports and social events provide opportunities to promote products and corporate logos. Even educational materials may have corporate sponsors. Pizza Hut offers free pizza as a reward in a reading incentive program. Campbell’s Labels for Education provides resources for schools in exchange for soup labels collected by students.
With only a handful of “fans” needed so I can secure a URL for PEM, Facebook showcases its behavioral marketing genius:
Ooh, I want to click that Get More Fans button!
If it’s hard for me to resist, can you imagine how a child’s underdeveloped brain reacts?
If you’re on Facebook, please consider joining — or asking a friend to join — Parents for Ethical Marketing. Don’t make me click that button.
Corporate Babysitter
