did you know that food companies are still pushing their unhealthy food to children by cunning methods including social networking sites, text messaging competitions and viral message promotions - even though 88 per cent of consumers think they should be more responsible.
some companies have introduced policies to stop marketing to children under 12 - yet even they carry on targeting youngsters through traditional techniques like cartoon characters, film tie-ins, celebrity endorsements and fun freebies.
Kelloggs encourages kids to text to receive a free ringtone as part of their zookeeper competition on high sugar cereals. Coca Cola introduced a Fanta branded mobile phone game, sent to all entrants of the ‘Want it, Win it’ competition.
food companies use popular websites such as BEBO, Facebook, You Tube and ClubdTV to reach children in their masses. Cadbury websites included links to child-focused games and competitions, and Mars and Pepsico developed more sophisticated ‘cool’ brand sites, often linking promotions with popular social networking sites.
there's no doubt it is effective marketing - after all, nearly 49 per cent of children ages 8-17 have a profile on a social networking site.
but the killer is that, if current trends continue, it is predicted that 70 per cent of girls and 55 per cent of boys will be overweight or obese by 2050.
so come to the isle of kevin, and watch in awe as all our little kevins eat carrot and go jogging and help old people across the road - i wish!