Archives for 2013

Point-Counterpoint GoldieBlox

Welcome to our new Point-Counterpoint series. See a topic being debated on the interwebs that needs a point/counterpoint view involving media and marketing's impact on kids?This is an uneven example, but points a bit to the debate about the mixed messages and methodology behind the gender-coding of the GoldieBlox product launch.As one who is an avid supporter of product … [Read more...]

Reach and Teach: Get to Know the People Behind the Products

Dec. 5, 2013 Amy's Note: For more Shaping Youth posts I've written about Reach and Teach's Global Goods That Do Good and "10 under $10" finds, as well as  year round positive picks for kids like New Moon Girls magazine, see the bounty of selections from our archives...It's important to vote with our wallets and make purchases count! Reach and Teach.com  has consistently … [Read more...]

Dot Complicated: Holiday Media Management

Nov. 19, 2013 Ditch the tantalizing Instagram food shots and showy status updates. Halt turkey tweeting. Spare the live streaming of the family fest. MAYbe use the Pinterest prep cheat sheets if you must, but “may I so boldly suggest that this Thanksgiving, we focus on one-on-one conversations, instead of broadcasting our lives to the masses,” says (wait for it) Randi … [Read more...]

Toys R Us Throws Mother Nature Under the Bus In Prankvertising

Nov. 8, 2013 Update! Colbert gives a ‘Tip of the Hat/Wag of the Finger in his Nov. 6 edition, Forbes adds a resource roundup of the backlash among moms, (though I'd add it's not a gender issue as dads are equally ticked) C&NN's Suz Lipman adds her voice/views, and Ad Land calls out “concern trolls,” thoughts?Nov. 4, 2013 “Don’t bite the hook,” is my mantra for using media … [Read more...]

Take Back Halloween: Debunking the Mythology of Market Demand

Update Oct. 22, 2016 Check out the new 2016 Take Back Halloween Costume Contest! (deadline to enter  11-6-16) And...in case any hipster parents are mumbling "what's the harm it's 2016, lighten up, people" I'm adding this "What about the boys" reminder which is wince-worthy realizing I've been covering this topic for so long, and this  study on sexualized body image and … [Read more...]