Advertising

Drug Ads Make Researchers Sick

by Diane Farsetta — January 31, 2007 - 5:13pm

A new study "funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and published in the Jan. 29 Annals of Family Medicine, claims the $4.5 billion" direct-to-consumer drug ad (DTC) industry "produces ads that are more emotional than informational, and may be convincing Americans that they're sicker than they really are," reports Advertising Age.

Main Source: 
Advertising Age, January 31, 2007

U.K. Food Labeling Scuffle Hits Screen

by Jonathan Rosenblum — January 22, 2007 - 3:42pm

Multinational food marketing giants, including Unilever, Coca-Cola, Kellogg and Danone have helped fund an $8 million industry ad campaign to sway consumers to "know what's going inside you"--but not necessarily to do anything about it.

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Wall Street Journal, January 18, 2007

Political Mood Swings on Drug Industry Direct-to-Consumer Ads

by Bob Burton — January 22, 2007 - 5:33am

The $4 billion a year spent by the drug industry on direct-to-consumer advertising promoting drugs is generating a political backlash. "There's a lot of support for a ban on direct-to-consumer advertising, and the Democrats know it," said Gary Ruskin, Commercial Alert's executive director.

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Indianapolis Star, January 21, 2007

No Space Left Unsponsored

by Diane Farsetta — January 16, 2007 - 3:20pm

"Consumers' viewing and reading habits are so scattershot now that many advertisers say the best way to reach time-pressed consumers is to try to catch their eye at literally every turn," the New York Times writes. Subsequently, ads are turning up in the strangest places: airport security lines, subway turnstiles -- even chicken eggs. "Ubiquity is the new exclusivity," said ad executive Linda Kaplan Thaler. "Alternative media" ad spending totaled $387 million in 2006, up from $24 million in 2000.

Main Source: 
New York Times, January 15, 2007

Survey Finds Drug Ads Drive Prescribing

by Bob Burton — January 9, 2007 - 7:54pm

A survey of 39,090 patients and 335 primary-care physicians reveals the power of direct-to-consumer advertising of drugs.

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Consumer Reports, February 2007

Wal-Mart Pours on the PR

by Judith Siers-Poisson — January 9, 2007 - 1:12pm

Wal-Mart is launching a massive PR blitz to try to staunch the criticism it receives from concerned consumers and activists working on issues like labor, the environment, healthcare and human rights. The TV broadcast ads on network and cable channels will focus on "Sam's Dream," referring to founder Sam Walton.

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Houston Chronicle, January 7, 2007

Food Marketing-Fueled School Channel "Going, Going Gone"?

by Jonathan Rosenblum — December 26, 2006 - 12:52pm

Channel One, the controversial advertising-funded TV network that reaches 7 million secondary schools, faces declining revenue and its owner, Primedia, is looking to sell.

Main Source: 
Advertising Age (sub req'd), December 14, 2006

Nuclear Industry Ads Challenged as Misleading

by Diane Farsetta — December 19, 2006 - 3:50pm

The Canadian Nuclear Association's $1.7 million ad campaign touting nuclear power as "clean, reliable and affordable" is the target of a false-advertising complaint filed by a coalition of environmental, health and church groups. "Our concern is that the nuclear industry's advertising budget and approach distorts objective decisions ...

Main Source: 
CNEWS (Canada), December 18, 2006

With Only 23 Months Left, Undeclared Candidates Are Positioning

by Diane Farsetta — December 15, 2006 - 5:16pm

The 2008 U.S. presidential race is already taking shape. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Rudy Giuliani "are lining up on opposite sides of their home state's debate over a controversial nuclear power plant," reports The Hill.

Main Source: 
The Hill, December 13, 2006
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