Commercialism Corner

Commercialism Corner: Your one-stop shop for quick summaries and links to all the latest news about the commercialization of childhood.

Alloy wants to own teenage girls – A detailed account of how Alloy is positioning to completely take over the teen girl market—and manufacture teen culture. http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_43/b4200084876175.htm?chan=magazine+channel_features

Despite spending billions on advertising, the fast food industry blames parents for skyrocketing obesity rates – This Alternet post give a great argument of the “parents are to blame” argument used by food marketers in response to critiques of their marketing to children practices. http://www.alternet.org/health/148544/despite_spending_billions_on_advertising,_the_fast_food_industry_blames_parents_for_skyrocketing_obesity_rates

Junk food ads aimed at kids come under fire – Global study of junk food marketing to kids finds that Canadian kids (outside of Quebec) are targeted with more TV junk food ads than even American children.  This finding, along with rising rates of childhood obesity, and starting a national conversation about limiting advertising aimed at children. http://www.edmontonjournal.com/health/Junk+food+aimed+kids+come+under+fire/3686649/story.html

Preschool items help boost Hasbro – Hasbro gains and sales grow thanks to preschool toys—many of which are tie-ins for PG-13 movies, as seen in the article image.  Hasbro execs expect the company to do well this holiday season, with chief executive Brian Goldner noting that its children’s network, The Hub, has been well received by consumers. http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2010/10/19/preschool_items_help_boost_hasbro/

Baby’s must-see TV does not increase vocabulary – This article give a quick recap of growing evidence that screens do not make babies smarter. http://www.miller-mccune.com/education/babys-must-see-tv-does-not-increase-vocabulary-24301/

Teen clothing brands set sights lower – Teen retailers such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Forever 21 and American Eagle begin marketing to younger children.  While some express concern about the appropriateness of marketing styles for teens to younger kids, marketers see the move to “go after them younger and get them hooked into our brands” as a “natural evolution.” http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2010/10/12/Teen-clothing-brands-set-sights-lower/UPI-97891286897819/

Chamber: Worry about energy regulations, kids - Chamber of Commerce partners with Scholastic for “energy curriculum” in schools. Advocates raise concerns about the effects and ethics of such sponsored materials. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1010/43844.html