Another Quick Marketing Quiz: What's the Message?

The ad above looks like a perfectly normal ad, right? Lusciously tempting food pic + catchy tagline. You see it, it registers, but likely as not it "goes in one ear (or eye) and out the other." At least that's what we think happens.

The creators of these ads are not stupid. There is a lot more going on than "meets the eye" in this seemingly innocuous ad. There's an underlying message here, i.e., that a crossword puzzle is more important than taking the time to nourish your body, even your brain that makes it possible to do crossword puzzles in the first place!

"But it's just one little ad," you might be thinking. Hopefully the last couple newsletters have helped you understand that seeing ads like this is not an occasional or isolated event. The problem is long-term and systemic. In other words, we see ads with similar messaging again and again and again. Marketers know this message will sink in over time:

In a nutshell, the message is:

There are so many more important and interesting things in life than spending time in the kitchen making your own, real whole food meals. Go ahead and do all those things because the convenience food industry has your back at mealtimes.        

Now that I'm on to what's happening, I just roll my eyes when seeing ads like this. It's almost insulting! Marketers may not be stupid but do they think we're stupid?!!

And in case you're wondering about the relationship between mac 'n cheese and brain health, see this post: "Start in Middle Age to Prevent Dementia in Older Age."

?#NewEatingCulture

News Bite: Piggybacking Gatorade Energy Bars

Here's another example of how health-damaging marketing works: PepsiCo's Gatorade has spent billions and worked for years to build its brand. Now the company is milking that capital investment by marketing energy bars under the Gatorade name.

Of course these "protein" bars are no better than Gatorade drinks. But in an interesting twist, the company may not be able to market the new bars as good for you. A federal judge ruled that PepsiCo can be sued for marketing its Gatorade "protein" bars as good for you since they have more sugar than protein and more sugar than typical candy bars.