Food Ads and Children Networks

Who can forget the sugary-cereals in the morning and the extra salty snacks for lunch?
These were a part of mostly everyones childhood, usually because we would see the ads on TV and later recall it while in the grocery store. Yet, there is an increased awareness that has emerged within the last 10 years that is the focus on healthy diets. Due to this not only are adults becoming the target for healthy or organic food ads but also children.

According to an article in AdAge.com company's such as Kellogg, McDonalds, and General Mills have been obligated, by the government, to abandon an estimated $1 billion dollars towards kids marketing. PBS Kids Sprout, a 24 hour network promoting healthy lifestyles that has refused to air any type of unhealthy snack ads, has become on the most-watched video on demand networks on TV. The network includes hit shows such as "Barney and Friends," "Bob the Builder," and "Sesame Street." The network is heavily involved with automotive, insurance and movie studios. Huggies/Pull-Ups and Mott's applesauce are the two premier sponsors.

Sprout's success could be related to the commitment it has maintained with healthy-lifestyle information and tone. By doing so it can greatly appeal to the concerned parent. Yet, the usage of hit shows cannot be discarded since these grasp the young viewers attention. But I do believe it is the idea of not having "hurtful" ads, which increases the success of this network. I don't believe that the absence of these ads will truly make a difference in the majority of the parents decisions when it relates to the actual purchase time, for example giving your child the Mcdonalds happy meal he or she has been craving.