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Wednesday, June 6, 2012
The power of Disney ads?
In an article called “Disney’s new diet for kids: no more junk food ads” by Candice Choi and J.M. Hirsch, I learned that The Walt Disney Co. will no longer allow ads on their websites, radio channels or television channels that promote “Junk food”. This means that you can now watch the Disney channel knowing that you will not be bombarded with commercials promoting foods that are sugary, high in fat, or unwholesome in other ways. This step has been taken in the hopes of lowering childhood obesity by removing the idea of junk food from their products. First Lady Michelle Obama called it a "game changer" that is sure to send a message to the rest of the children's entertainment industry.
I was surprised to see this article as I had not previously associated commercials with temptation to eat those marked foods. While not convinced that this idea will go far in terms of helping end childhood obesity, since it is the parents who control the child’s eating habits, not the television or websites, I commend Disney for taking a step in the right direction.
While not to most lucrative decision (Disney will lose financially by no longer running the ads for sugary foods), Disney is saying that they care about what Children eat, something that maybe more of us should take into consideration the next time we go shopping.
Katherine, I think that you made some really interesting points. As a parent, I already preferred that my boys watch the Disney channel(s) for a lot of reasons: content is never questionable, commercial breaks are short and the ads are not overwhelming. Unlike other channels, like Cartoon Network that shows next to nothing but McDonalds and every cheap toy known to man, Disney does a great job. I hate that when my boys watch the other channels all I hear for 5 minute intervals is "I want that!" or "That is so cool, I have to have that!" I think that this choice has just enhanced the quality of Disney channel and I applaud them for the efforts to improve the health and lives of our children.
I agree with Brandy about how kids beg for the things they see on tv. Marketing to our kids is getting out of control these days when it comes to our kids. It seems like anything goes as long as they beg for it. I didn't know this about the Disney Channel and I am even happier to let my boys watch it more than others. Thanks for giving such informative information!
It was announced on the John Tesh show the other day that new studies suggest that people who are exposed to news, radio, television...regularly, are healthier than those who are "less exposed" and the reason being that while flooded with unhealthy advertisements, they are up to date on new health information as well as more cautious on their eating habits. Just something I found interesting. I have to give Disney credit for making such a great decision. Obesity is a problem in America and something more than PE is needed. It gives me some comfort knowing I will not be bombarded with pleas to eat at Burger King or McDonald's because of a commercial my children watched. Thank you!
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida pursued its own wellness program in 2006. Basically, BCBS worked with vendors to establish what items could be labeled as healthy and then sold them at a discount to encourage healthier consumption. They decipher the items that have been deemed healthy and highlight them in their cafés through signage. They have created standards on what percentage of the menu has to be wellness items in order to get rid of that stigma that you always hear about, which is, ‘well, I can’t afford to eat healthy.’ By giving a discount on the healthy items, cost became very similar and sometimes below some of the non-healthy items cost.
While not to most lucrative decision (Disney will lose financially by no longer running the ads for sugary foods), Disney is saying that they care about what Children eat, something that maybe more of us should take into consideration the next time we go shopping.
Katherine, I think that you made some really interesting points. As a parent, I already preferred that my boys watch the Disney channel(s) for a lot of reasons: content is never questionable, commercial breaks are short and the ads are not overwhelming. Unlike other channels, like Cartoon Network that shows next to nothing but McDonalds and every cheap toy known to man, Disney does a great job. I hate that when my boys watch the other channels all I hear for 5 minute intervals is "I want that!" or "That is so cool, I have to have that!" I think that this choice has just enhanced the quality of Disney channel and I applaud them for the efforts to improve the health and lives of our children.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Brandy about how kids beg for the things they see on tv. Marketing to our kids is getting out of control these days when it comes to our kids. It seems like anything goes as long as they beg for it. I didn't know this about the Disney Channel and I am even happier to let my boys watch it more than others. Thanks for giving such informative information!
ReplyDeleteIt was announced on the John Tesh show the other day that new studies suggest that people who are exposed to news, radio, television...regularly, are healthier than those who are "less exposed" and the reason being that while flooded with unhealthy advertisements, they are up to date on new health information as well as more cautious on their eating habits. Just something I found interesting.
ReplyDeleteI have to give Disney credit for making such a great decision. Obesity is a problem in America and something more than PE is needed. It gives me some comfort knowing I will not be bombarded with pleas to eat at Burger King or McDonald's because of a commercial my children watched. Thank you!
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida pursued its own wellness program in 2006. Basically, BCBS worked with vendors to establish what items could be labeled as healthy and then sold them at a discount to encourage healthier consumption.
ReplyDeleteThey decipher the items that have been deemed healthy and highlight them in their cafés through signage. They have created standards on what percentage of the menu has to be wellness items in order to get rid of that stigma that you always hear about, which is, ‘well, I can’t afford to eat healthy.’ By giving a discount on the healthy items, cost became very similar and sometimes below some of the non-healthy items cost.