FTC Food Marketing to Kids Update: Are Watchdogs All Bark No Bite?

Sept. 9, 2010 Where are we now with the whole junk food marketing to kids/obesity prevention discussion? Feels like we’ve been TALKING about "candy bars for breakfast" and citing Pink Princess Fairytale Flakes with ads for sugary slop on TV out the wazoo, along with advergaming (embedded digital trolling, seeding unhealthy junk food) and yet “the more things change, the more … [Read more...]

COPPA: Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act Filing

July 1, 2010 For those mumbling, "COPPA schmoppa, there goes Amy into policy wonk land, please translate media jargon into usable tidbits" I'll offer a few primers... What is COPPA? Why do we need it? (see DigitalAds.org for an interactive show-n-tell which all ages can grok for an 'aha' moment on food and beverage marketing targeting kids in the digital age) Who are … [Read more...]

“Mouse Inc?” Disney Bullies Small & Mighty CCFC From Home?

March 10, 2010 I bought and watched Academy Award nominee  Food Inc. last night, the riveting documentary on corporate pressures leaning hard on farmers that’s nothing short of mafia-style thuggery for compliance and adherence to industrial machinations. Looks to me like we’ve got a similar scenario with Disney strong-arming the powers that be to silence and oust tiny but … [Read more...]

“My Gift Card’s Worthless? That’s So Unfair!” Cry Foul to the FTC

I don’t know about you, but with California schools on the skids, turning pockets inside out in a pathetic, penniless shrug, parents have been asked to contribute to fundraisers that also include purchasing ‘e-scrip’ and ‘gift cards.’ While it’s a seamless digital ‘give’ plugging in a school as a partner/affinity program, our … [Read more...]