In the essay “Kid Kustomers” by Eric Schlosser, Schlosser discusses children advertising and its effectiveness. About twenty-five years ago, hardly any American company marketed towards children unlike today where the majority is directed towards children. According to an expert this era was known as “the decade of the child consumer.” Ad agencies implemented children into marketing in order to increase “consumption.” The Joe Camel ad campaign revealed how effortlessly children were impacted by ads, claiming it to be as well known as “Mickey Mouse.”
In Schlosser’s article, “Kid Kustomers” the main argument is that major ad agencies are focusing to much time advertising to children. He uses multiple topics and threads to portray the negative effects of marketing to children. Using the example of Fast Food industries partnering up with toy companies to appeal to the younger consumer and goes into the effects the children have on their parents as a consumer. Using the example of fast food Industries backs up his claim when marketing to children can be bad. Fast food companies are already unhealthy and when they paired up with big toy companies the influence on the child is even greater.
In Eric Schlosser article, “ Kid Kustomers” he focuses on how American companies have began to target kids in the marketing business. This began in the 80’s and the companies attempt to influence children at a young age to decide on what companies they will buy from. Doing so the companies hope to create lifelong customers and increasing their profit. This can be seen in areas such as a children’s club where ads are seen regularly to be viewed by the kids. Nevertheless these companies benefit from targeting child audiences because eventually it will increase sales.
Eric Schlosser, the author of “Kid Kustomers”, puts a spotlight on the marketing on children. He starts off by talking about the effect on present day marketing. Companies like phone, oil, and automobile are targeting the children the most. He argues that kid-based companies weren’t that bad in the past, but now there are tons of companies who only focus on children. He has provided a lot of studies that support his explanation on marketing strategies.
How Advertising is Leading Kids to Make Poor Choices Currently, the average American child today is exposed to an estimated 40,000 television commercials a year, over 100 a day. Advertisers try to expose children and teens to as much advertising as possible, this is to get children and teens to want to buy their products. Another factor is that advertisers use different techniques to get kids to buy their products, these techniques include bandwagon, transfer, avant-garde, facts and figures, and testimonials. Yet, children don’t realize they are being subjected to these techniques and with all the advertisements that kids are being exposed to today, these advertisements are leading kids to make poor choices. “Television, radio, cable, and
They also use the youth’s psychology against them by using things such as cartoon characters and certain colors. They also use methods such as testimonials by their favorite celebrities. To begin with, advertisers target kids in places they go to most places like school or online. For example, in the text “Marketing to kids gets savvy with new technologies” the author states, “on the log-in screen, an ad flashed for BabyPictureMaker.com, which nudges consumers to download pictures of two people - promising to send back a picture of what a baby they might have together would look like.” This shows that advertisers will go out of their way to get kids to see what they are selling or
Kids can be taught that what’s on an ad isn’t necessarily what they need.” At the end, marketers must maintain an appropriate structure or strategy without using people in a bad way. If it’s possible for a child being obsessed with a toy and food box, then it’s possible for him to like a sweet fruit box with an interesting book or comics, magazines etc. if we can support or teach them. We must accept that healthy food, exercising, protecting environment, enjoying beautiful sides of life, even choosing the best music or watching the proper advertisement - they are the best solutions for a good future even though they may be hard for some people to adapt.
Kids are used to ads-its not like they 're something
Company’s market products to children, through television commercials and kid shows .They design them to appeal to children to advertise products vary from toys to snack foods. I personally don’t agree with what companies are doing today advertising too the youth. In my opinion I believe it is morally wrong marketing directly to children is one of the factors in the obesity epidemic in children. Advisements may also encourage eating disorders, mature sexuality, youth violence and family stress.
Over the past twenty years, the amount at which advertisers are advertising to children is astonishing. Advertising directed towards children has estimated at over 15 million annually that’s almost three times more than what it was 26 years ago! Toy companies, fast food places, and retail stores are very eager to target children-maybe even a little too eager. Advertisers are consciously targeting children. Most advertisers are targeting children because they're easier to get hooked on a product.
Should fast food ads be banned? No, there is nothing wrong to have fast food everywhere we go. If fast food ads would be banned, it will be too hard to decide which meal you want to pay for. Life it would not be the same, I cannot imagine myself driving all crazy looking for a place to buy some food. As stated by Michael Carroll, “And I’m sick and tired of being made to feel guilty for enjoying the odd double beef and bacon burger because some fat, lazy, irresponsible parents cannot say no to their children.
In the quest to get the advertised product, children tend to pester their parents to buy them such products. Children’s capacity to comprehend advertisements Research
This statement is so true because when my little brother sees toys or junk food on television he immediately begs my parents to buy either one for him. The majority of commercials during programs aimed at children are for unhealthy high-fat, high sugars or high-salt foods with little nutritional value. Not all parents are aware of how their children are exposed to marketing campaigns that influence their children. Some top food choices for kids attack kids by their appealing commercials. The commercials use bright colors, a funny icon cartoon character, older kids, and catchy phrases.
Do companies create consumer demand or simply try to meet customers’ needs? I believe advertising shapes as well as mirrors society. A case in point, advertisements can shape society's perception of ‘beauty." For instance, in magazines and movies, quite often young girls strive to look-like and emulate the digitally enhanced images of women in magazines. As such, some critics argue that advertising abuses its influence on children and teenagers in particular, amongst others.
For example Lego, Hasbro, Disney, Mattel, Barbie, Nerf, MEGA Bloks, and Fisher Price. Todays’ children “Generation-Z” have unique characteristics in many ways as compare to past generations. The ad film-makers, advertisers, and marketers always try to formulate new ways to attract their targeted customers, because of its rule the best way you attract to the customer and most likely to change their purchase intention and influence their decisions. The marketers and advertisers here use advertisement which targets the children are always based on anthropomorphism; using of non-living things like cartoons, animations, songs, logos, jingles, and different characters that advertisers keep in mind their audiences to attract the children, i.e. MacDonald, Disney, Barbie are the best example of
