Well, I guess they finally bowed down to the annoying skinny health food advocates that have been pushing for this for so long. I guess this means we'll clearly see an end to all those great commercials with cartoon characters that have their own brand of cereals. Not to mention, this could (but I'm hoping not) kill collectable figurines in Kid's meals based on cartoon characters.AP said:Companies to Rewrite Rules on Kid's Ads
Ten Major food and drink makers, including McDonald's, Coca-Cola, and Campbell Soup, announced yesterday that their child-oriented advertising will do more to promote health foods and exercise. The companies agreed to reduce the use of outside characters-think Little Mermaid and Shrek- to pitch unhealthy foods. They also said they would not advertise in elementary schools.
While I do think these companies should make some sort of step towards getting kids healthy, this pretty much will not work. Or resort to silly extremely bad junk food ads where they hock a fatty product (like Lunchables) and add 3 seconds of telling kids to play some stupid sport.
I do agree we need to do something about the children's health... but did you SEEany of these health food advocates? They're all well to do thin people with bratty kids they can't control. They feel that the old advertisments "Brainwash kids into wanting" said foods. Are you kidding me? Isn't the entire point of advertising to make an unappealing product into something that everyone doesn't need, but feels empty unless they go out and grab it right now? These advocates always complain about how their kids throw a temper tantrum because mommy wants to buy some $5 organic cereal that tastes like mulch, and not the shiney box with Spongebob on it. I mean, while you're at it, try getting rid of toy commercials, because it promotes avarise and greed. Your kid will throw the same temper tantrum if you don't get him a deluxe green ranger figure.
I know their hearts seem like they're in the right place, but if you can't raise your own kids, what gives you the right to raise everyone else's?