FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Grocery Manufacturers Association and Association of National Advertisers: Children Seeing Fewer Food, Beverage and Restaurant Ads
Contact:
Scott Openshaw, Director, Communications, 202-295-3957
Brian Kennedy, Director, Communications, 202-639-5994
September 23, 2008
(Washington, D.C.) The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) today formally requested that a Georgetown Economic Services (GES) report documenting a significant reduction in food, beverage and restaurant advertising seen by children be included in the record of the Appropriations Subcommittees on Labor, Health and Human Services and Related Agencies and Financial Services and General Government joint hearing regarding food marketing to kids.
Letters highlighting the findings of the report, along with copies of the report, were sent to the Subcommittee chairmen and ranking members U.S. Senators Richard J. Durbin, Tom Harkin, Sam Brownback, and Arlen Specter as well as to FTC Commissioner William E. Kovacic and FCC Commissioner Kevin J. Martin who both testified at today’s hearing.
“The food and beverage industry has been working with policymakers, non-governmental organizations, parents, advertisers and other stakeholders in recent years to restructure its marketing practices to promote nutritious choices and promote a healthier lifestyle,” said GMA interim president and CEO Manly Molpus. “While there is more work to be done, the GES report showcases the fact that industry’s commitment, combined with voluntary marketing changes, is working.”
“For almost three decades, the advertising community has recognized the importance of marketing to children in an appropriate and responsible way,” said Bob Liodice, President and CEO of the Association of National Advertisers, “The latest data from the GES report, combined with the positive steps taken by the members of the Children’s Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative of the Council of Better Business Bureaus (CBBB), demonstrate real progress by industry.”
Among the highlights of the GES report :
· The typical child saw nearly 10% fewer food and beverage ads on children’s TV in 2007 than in 2006.
o Since 2004, the decline is 25%.
· The typical 12-17 year-old adolescent saw nearly 5% fewer food and beverage ads in 2007.
· Inflation adjusted expenditures on food, beverage and restaurant advertising dropped over 6% last year.
· The mix of advertising continues to shift. Since 2004:
o Advertising is growing fastest for bottled water and fruits and vegetables.
o Advertising is shrinking fastest for cookies, gum and mints and snacks.
· Non-television media still carry too little food, beverage and restaurant advertising to affect the television trends.
For a copy of the letters and/or the report contact Scott Openshaw at 202.295.3957 or sopenshaw@gmaonline.org:
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Based in Washington, D.C., the Grocery Manufacturers Association is the voice of more than 300 leading food, beverage and consumer product companies that sustain and enhance the quality of life for hundreds of millions of people in the United States and around the globe. Founded in 1908, GMA is an active, vocal advocate for its member companies and a trusted source of information about the industry and the products consumers rely on and enjoy every day. The association and its member companies are committed to meeting the needs of consumers through product innovation, responsible business practices and effective public policy solutions developed through a genuine partnership with policymakers and other stakeholders. In keeping with its founding principles, GMA helps its members produce safe products through a strong and ongoing commitment to scientific research, testing and evaluation and to providing consumers with the products, tools and information they need to achieve a healthy diet and an active lifestyle. The food, beverage and consumer packaged goods industry in the United States generates sales of $2.1 trillion annually, employs 14 million workers and contributes $1 trillion in added value to the economy every year.
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