In 2012, the California cities of Richmond and El Monte made headlines when they asked voters to consider taxing soda and other sugary drinks. Wanting to avoid a regulatory precedent, the soda industry spent $4 million to oppose the ballot measures, which ultimately failed. In this news analysis, we explore how the tax proposals were portrayed in the news, what arguments were made both for and against them, and what this means for public health advocates looking to regulate sugary beverages in other communities.
A marketing executive for Pepsi, for example, comments that the company has begun using the NFL to target Latinos, rather than only focusing on soccer. In addition, the World Cup is expected to drive up advertising on Latino media properties (such as TV, radio and online), and companies will be looking to capitalize on the event's popularity with Latinos. Making the case for a society that supports health for everyone is easier said than done, even for the most seasoned public health advocates. Here are some tips to help ensure that the messages we use strengthen, rather than stymie, our social change efforts.
As excitement builds for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Coca-Cola has begun to accelerate its marketing as a sponsor of the Mexican National Team. Coca-Cola hopes the multi-part campaign, which will include TV spots and a series of sponsored matches, will build brand loyalty among Latinos by tapping into "the feeling, the excitement, the hope, and the need to cheer and follow the Mexican National Team." In 2012, two California cities asked voters to consider taxing soda and other sugar-sweetened beverages. The measures failed, but advocates can learn a lot from how the news media covered the issue. In this preliminary report, we discuss what arguments appeared in the news, how reporters portrayed the need for the policies, how government and the soda industry were characterized, and what this means going forward. A final report will be released later this year.
How is media advocacy the same and how has it changed in the 20 years since BMSG opened its doors? Our former deputy director, Katie Woodruff, looks back on the evolution and shows what keeps advocates going over the long haul.
When news broke of NAACP’s recent decision to accept funds from Coke and help fight portion size limits in New York City, many in public health were quick to scold the civil rights group. But there’s more to the story than meets the eye, and advocates shouldn’t be distracted from real culprit in all this: Big Soda.
2012 was a big year for public health. We saw advances in everything from nutrition to violence prevention to the media’s coverage of these issues. What progress will we see in 2013?
Will the nation’s grief and outrage over the Newtown, Conn., shooting finally translate into action to prevent future violence? Or will momentum fade as it did following similar tragedies? A trend emerging from recent media coverage gives us reason for hope.
Many of public health’s greatest advances — and the struggles it took to achieve them — are easy to take for granted. As I reflect this holiday season on all the things I have to be thankful for, I’m reminded of the important role the field plays in my life and the lives of so many others.
