Association of National Advertisers President-CEO Bob Liodice says marketers are still shouldering much of the blame for increased rates of obesity in American children despite launching several
positive initiatives to help remedy the problem. The initiatives include the introduction of thousands of new and reformulated products; the promotion of healthier and more active lifestyles; the
introduction of new ways to market food products to children; and the enhancement of the industry's program for self-regulation of children's advertising. In his blog on the ANA Web site, Liodice says
the food manufacturing and advertising industries are "working hard to be part of the solution and this record needs to be understood by the public at large." In his essay, he cites a recent
Brandweek article by William Macleod, a former director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection at the Federal Trade Commission, who wrote, "Changing society is a daunting task. It requires
everyone to get involved--children, parents, teachers, employers, marketers, communities and governments. By contrast, blaming advertisers is easy. It attracts attention, it suggests a simple
solution and in the public policy debate, it yields the floor to a new group of advocates."
advertisement
advertisement
Read the whole story at ANA Blogs »