An article out yesterday discussed the impact of fast food branding on children, their desire for the branded food, and their belief that it actually tastes better than the same food in non-branded packaging.
This got me thinking about the responsibilities we have as marketers and the messages we help put out there.
How do we balance the needs of our clients to sell products and make profits over the needs of the public? How do business owners balance their needs with the public's needs in a capitalist society?
I'm not saying fast food is bad (it's an option and I think choice is good) and I'm not saying that businesses shouldn't make money off of it. Capitalism is also good.
I do think that we as marketers and business people should understand the power we have to influence others and we should consider that influence when we're crafting messages.
I also think this article is a wack on the side of the head to those people responsible for marketing more wholesome food. Marketing is nothing to be ashamed of and I think it's time companies like Dole, Delmonte, Birds-Eye and others who sell fruit, vegies, and even whole grains (love Kashi!) should ramp up their marketing efforts to help kids discover that food that's good for you is also good tasting.
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