Commercialism Corner

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

Critics: FCC Not Policing Kids TV – Along with parent and child advocacy groups (including CCFC), lawmaker Rep. Ed Markey is pointing out that the FCC’s enforcement of laws regarding children’s programming and commercials is “weak.” http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0711/59487.html#ixzz1SjjUxHX8

Junk Food Industry Determined to Target Kids – CCFC Steering Committee member Michele Simon on the IWG’s proposed food marketing principles and extreme push back they’re meeting from the industry in Food Safety News. http://www.foodsafetynews.com/2011/07/junk-food-industry-determined-to-target-kids/

Toy Movies in 2011 - Has Hollywood Gone Too Far? The toy industry is concerned that movies based on toys don’t bring in as much cash that they used to, and that there are too many of them.  “In short, you cannot get good films if the sole purpose of the movie is to sell you stuff.” http://www.toynews-online.biz/opinion/145/US-OPINION-Toy-Movies-in-2011-has-Hollywood-gone-too-far

GAO: Children’s TV Rules Better Enforced on Broadcast Than Cable - A new report finds that rules on advertising to children on cable and satellite are easily skirted and recommends that the FCC create a strategy to ensure children are not exposed to excessive or inappropriate advertising. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-tech/post/gao-childrens-tv-rules-better-enforced-on-broadcast-than-cable/2011/07/15/gIQA7c0EGI_blog.html

Lawmakers Push for Children’s Online Privacy Law – Congressional representatives stress the importance of protecting children from online tracking, but the FCC falls short of expressing support of (or opposition to) a bill introduced by Markey and Barton that would address the problem. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-tech/post/lawmakers-push-for-childrens-online-privacy-law/2011/07/14/gIQAWpNHEI_blog.html

Sony PlayStation Ramps Advertising Technology For Brands – PlayStation introduces new methods of in-game advertising.  For example, in one ad, a character from the game sprays himself with Axe body spray, which allows a chance at more points.  Ford, Toyota, and Wrigley are among the advertisers on PSP.  http://www.mediapost.com/publications/?fa=Articles.showArticle&art_aid=153921

Summer TV’s Top Target: Boys – Television shows like Disney’s Phineas and Ferb are looking to hook young male viewers, as well as build a major male-dominating franchise. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303812104576441790597642646.html?mod=WSJ_hps_sections_lifestyle