Parents for Ethical Marketing
is a young, grassroots organization of people concerned about the effects of corporate marketing practices directed at young children.
Members receive action alerts and a monthly e-newsletter.
Virgin Mobile Pulls Back Racy Campaign
Decides it probably wasn't the best idea to encourage kids to strip on YouTube . . . no matter what the cause.
Game publishers turning more to girl gamers
Think pink! And puppies! And princesses!
Study Finds Materialism in Children and Adolescents Linked to Self-Esteem
From the Journal of Consumer Research
Ads on children's social networking sites
Harmless child's play or virtual insanity?
Pepsi and Coke to reform marketing efforts to kids (maybe)
Plenty of wiggle room under new guidelines.
News & Events
Virgin Mobile Pulls Back Racy Campaign
”Virgin Mobile USA Inc. likes to run risqué marketing campaigns to generate attention for its cellphones, including poking fun at religion in its holiday advertising and plopping its parent company's founder -- in a nude suit -- in the middle of New York City's Times Square.
”But the company is now in damage-control mode after running an online ad campaign that encouraged people to disrobe for charity.”
from the Wall Street Journal
Game publishers turning more to girl gamers
”With the influx of fresh new gamers, thanks in large part to the popularity of mass-market game machines, the DS and the Wii, more game companies than ever are jumping on the girl gamer bandwagon. Practically every booth at this year’s E3 Media and Business Summit this year had something to offer for female gamers of various demographics.”
Read more at VentureBeat
Study Finds Materialism in Children and Adolescents Linked to Self-Esteem
A new study published in the Journal of Consumer Research finds a relationship between a child's self-esteem and materialism.
”. . . by simply increasing self-esteem in teens, we see a decreased focus on material goods that parallels that of young children. While peers and marketing can certainly influence teens, materialism is directly connected to self-esteem.”
The study was conducted by University of Minnesota professor Deborah Roedder John and University of Illinois professor Lan Nguyen Chaplin.
”Growing up in a Material World: Age Differences in Materialism in Children and Adolescents”
Ads on children's social networking sites
The state of kids' social networking sites and advertising in the U.K. From Meg Carter at The Independent.
Pepsi and Coke to reform marketing efforts to kids (maybe)
The International Council of Beverage Associations has released their guidelines on marketing to children:
”All companies undersigning this declaration commit, for the product categories mentioned below, not to place any marketing communication in any paid, third party media whose audience consists of 50% or more of children under the age of 12. This covers broadcast (TV and radio), print and digital media (including internet and phone messaging) as well as cinema (including product placement). . . .
”In addition, we recognize the need to review other forms of marketing practices (including the use of licensed characters, sponsorships and other forms of marketing communications) in channels which are predominantly related to children under 12 (e.g. primary schools). We will undertake this work by the end of 2009.”