Advertising

Whose Conventions Are They Anyway?

by Judith Siers-Poisson — July 23, 2008 - 2:21pm

Both the Democratic and Republican conventions are bringing in millions of dollars in corporate sponsors, but there is no reporting requirement for either the political parties or the companies. There are a reported 146 organizational and corporate donors, but less than a quarter have chosen to disclose information about their donations.

Main Source: 
Democracy Now!, July 22, 2008

Eli Lilly Fined for Breaching Australian Ban on Direct-to-Consumer Ads

by Bob Burton — July 9, 2008 - 4:59am

Eli Lilly has been fined A$60,000 for issuing a media release promoting a version of its erectile dysfunction drug Cialis despite an Australian ban on direct-to-consumer advertising. In April Eli Lilly released Cialis Once-a-Day. To coincide with its launch, the company issued a media release headlined "New research reveals scheduled sex a turn-off," which promoting the results of a Lilly-commissioned opinion poll.

Main Source: 
The Australian, July 5, 2008

Image and Reality in Zimbabwe

by Diane Farsetta — June 25, 2008 - 11:44am

"Horrified directors of global marketing giant Young & Rubicam have begun a sell-off of their holdings in Zimbabwe, after learning the company's head was behind Robert Mugabe's election campaign image makeover," reports Rowan Philp.

Main Source: 
The Times (South Africa), June 25, 2008

YouTube vs. CNN on the Clean Coal Debate

by Judith Siers-Poisson — June 25, 2008 - 8:51am

A new YouTube video raises the question of whether CNN's coverage of the clean coal<

Main Source: 
YouTube

Sweeting Corn Syrup's Public Image

by Diane Farsetta — June 23, 2008 - 12:46pm

The Corn Refiners Association launched an 18-month, $20 to $30 million public relations and advertising campaign "to convince consumers that HFCS [high-fructose corn syrup] isn't the evil it has been made out to be." The industry group is running ads in major newspapers -- under the banner "time for a little food for thought" -- that say HFCS has the "same natural sweeteners as table sugar and honey." The campaign, which was created by the

Main Source: 
Wall Street Journal (sub req'd), June 23, 2008

Pinkwashing: Can Shopping Cure Breast Cancer?

by Anne Landman — June 11, 2008 - 3:50pm
  • Topics: Advertising, Corporate Campaigns, Activism, Cause-Related Marketing, Corporate Social Responsibility, Environment, Health, Women

    • You've heard the term "greenwashing." It refers to corporations that try to appear "green" without reducing their negative impact on the environment.

    Since 2002, the group Breast Cancer Action has promoted its "Think Before You Pink" campaign. It's fighting "pinkwashing," which is when corporations try to boost sales by associating their products with the fight against breast cancer. Pinkwashing is a form of slacktivism -- a campaign that makes people feel like they're helping solve a problem, while they're actually doing more to boost corporate profits. Pinkwashing has been around for a while, but is now reaching almost unbelievable levels.

    More Than You Bargained for in Your Chicken

    by Judith Siers-Poisson — June 8, 2008 - 8:11pm

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture has found that Tyson Foods routinely gave antibiotics to chicken it raised to sell as meat, and labeled it as antibiotic free.

    Main Source: 
    MSNBC.com, June 3, 2008
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