17350: Lying Down & Lies From Mickey D’s.

 

This Mickey D’s Super Bowl campaign from Wieden+Kennedy NY is explained as follows:

 

While other brands compete for pre-game and in-game attention, we’re focusing on the moment that’s ownable to McDonald’s—the morning after any big night, especially the Super Bowl.

 

Everything we do starts with a fan truth. This idea came from a pretty universal one: There’s nothing like McDonald’s Breakfast to help you recover after a big night.

 

We found that millions of Americans planned to take the Monday after the Super Bowl off from work. Some say it should be a national holiday for…recovery. Even if you still have work, your body wants nothing more than to be horizontal. So, we thought, let’s give that opportunity to our fans.

 

The idea: “The horizontal breakfast”. While the country either literally is horizontal or dreams to be, we flipped our communications this match their orientation—billboards, the TV spot, our social channels all turned horizontal—because that’s the posture many of our fans will be in as they recover from the big game. McDonald’s breakfast, specifically the hot honey sausage + egg biscuit is the thing that will help you get vertical again (or at least reason enough to get vertical for a moment).

 

The breakfast features the hot honey sausage + egg biscuit, hash browns, and a coke.

 

The only thing our fans will have to do is lift their finger and press order in the app.

 

Okay, except there’s plenty of evidence showing how eating while lying down—or even lying down after eating—is not healthy.

 

In short, this campaign is wildly irresponsible coming from a leading junk food advertiser. The responsible White advertising agency must’ve been asleep at the wheel—or lying down on the job.

17162: Take A Walk.

 

How much you should walk to lose 30 lbs. Um, to your nearest pharmacy to pick up a prescription of Ozempic^®…?

16563: French Fatphobia Fest.

The French Obese National Associations Collective (CNAO) and White advertising agency BETC Paris created this campaign to fight fatphobia during World’s Obesity Day, which will be marked on March 4. Expect World’s Obesity Day to get tons of attention versus Black History Month.

16053: Mickey D’s Meals For Life Sounds Like Life Sentence…

 

Advertising Age reported on a Mickey D’s promotion offering a McGold Card that will award the winner with meals for life. Is that really a prize? Seems like Morgan Spurlock already established the life-ending hazards of eating McFood for extended periods.

 

If Byron Allen wins, he’ll exchange the McGold Card for $10 billion in McDonald’s Gift Cards.

16003: KFC WTF Brainwave Bucket BS.

 

Edelman in China is responsible for this thoroughly irresponsible KFC Brainwave Bucket bullshit described as follows:

 

Stress and overthinking is pervasive in the chaotic 24-hour metropolis. Recent studies indicate Hong Kong is one of the most stressful cities in the world and ranks #1 in the stress index of employees all around East Asia. However, scientific findings have shown that comfort food relieves the stress response in the brain. KFC is encouraging Hong Kong’s overthinking citizens to think less and indulge more with Finger Lickin’ Good fried chicken.

 

Therefore we created the KFC Brainwave Bucket — a brain-sensing helmet with a built-in headband that analyses people’s brain activity. The data from the helmet is connected to an app which provides real-time biofeedback showing how active the mind is. The helmet design, and the mind-detecting enclosure, is based on KFC’s iconic bucket. People are invited to sit inside the bucket-esque structure and wear the helmet on their head, after which they’re encouraged to switch off and think less with the help of some Finger Lickin’ Good chicken.

 

A fun and lighthearted way to bring the comforting effects of KFC to Hong Kongers, the event launch is being held at KFC’s flagship store on Oct 22 where customers are invited to try the experience for themselves. Those who embrace the comforting qualities of the Colonel’s signature chicken and stop overthinking are rewarded with more fried chicken!

 

In short, the campaign is encouraging stress eating—which has been shown in ‘scientific findings’ to trigger overeating, obesity and mental health issues. Somebody should examine the heads of the idiots involved with this promotional propaganda.

 

14425: Bacon Campaign Is Bad For You.

Memo to Lewis Communications: Don’t bill Bill-E’s for this bad bacon branding bullshit.

14186: Weight Watchers WTF.

Is this Weight Watchers campaign from FCB in Canada comprised of scam ads? Sorry, but Weight Watchers does not condone or promote eating junk food. And why is FCB spotlighting brands that compete with major clients on its own roster?

14149: We Are Untalented.

We Are Unlimited created a campaign starring John Goodman, Charles Barkley and Gabrielle Union to hype Mickey D’s fresh beef—and the spots are anything but fresh. The concept of being rendered speechless by enhanced junk food feels like something from the 80s. Plus, using Goodman and Barkley—two old guys who’ve struggled with obesity over the years—is patently ignorant and downright irresponsible. We Are Unlimited went from annoyingly outdated rap to cloyingly outdated crap.

12840: Taco Bell Chicken Shit.

Advertising Age reported on the latest Taco Bell innovation: taco shells made of chicken—or whatever passes for chicken from KFC, Taco Bell’s sister company. Not sure how the Taco Bell Naked Crispy Chicken Taco fits with the fast feeder’s efforts to reduce salt and lessen artificiality in its menu items. Looks like Taco Bell continues to play chicken with honesty and integrity.

Taco Bell’s Newest Taco Shell Looks More Loco Than Doritos

‘Naked Crispy Chicken Taco’ Pops Up at California Taco Bells

By Jessica Wohl

We’ve all seen the success Taco Bell has had with Doritos Locos tacos. Now comes the latest shell innovation at the Mexican fast-food chain: chicken.

That’s right, Taco Bell—sister chain to KFC—is selling what’s being called the Naked Crispy Chicken Taco. In it, breaded chicken replaces a typical taco shell.

According to Foodbeast, which quickly spotted this creation, Taco Bell is using Bakersfield, Calif., as its initial test area.

Foodbeast says the item is a piece of breaded, white meat chicken filled with lettuce, tomato, cheese and some avocado ranch sauce.

It’s way too soon to say whether this shell will spread to other areas. Of course, patrons might already be trying to order it outside the test area, especially at KFC/Taco Bell dual chain locations. And we know KFC’s already tried the chicken-as-delivery-method scenario with its Double Down, where two pieces of chicken replaced the typical sandwich bun.

12756: Adland And White Privilege.

Campaign published a perspective by Maisie McCabe titled, “Ad industry must not abuse its position of privilege.” Not sure what planet McCabe is living on, as adland has blatantly and unapologetically abused its privileged status forever—on every continent where it does business. As examples of the industry’s alleged commitment to accountability and change, McCabe pointed to the faux concern for gender equality and obesity. Um, the handwringing over these particular issues only underscores that White admen and White adwomen are big, fat liars. Additionally, the ad industry has historically abused its position of White privilege, as evidenced by the open admission of exclusivity in the USA and UK. Adland has provided more than enough proof to condemn its practitioners as undeserving of operating via self-regulation in any area.

Ad industry must not abuse its position of privilege

By Maisie McCabe

On a stiflingly hot summer’s day last week, a coterie of executives from the advertising, media and political worlds came together for a glass of Prosecco.

The culture minister, Ed Vaizey, had been due to speak but, after he had to bow out, it was left to the Advertising Association president, Andy Duncan, to do a “Florence and the Machine”—but with less jumping and fewer flashing orange lights.

Duncan used the podium to reaffirm the AA’s commitment to working towards a more responsible adland. If the ad industry wants to continue to have the “privilege” of self-regulation, then it needs to learn what it means to be responsible, Duncan said.

Since taking over from the BT chief executive, Gavin Patterson, in January 2014, Duncan has encouraged this theme of responsibility. It’s no longer enough to stick to “the line in the sand that we’ve had for the last five decades”, he said. Instead, Duncan wants the industry to “tread over that line, however challenging that might be”.

At a recent meeting, the AA’s council affirmed the plans, paving the way for action. And they’re jumping straight in. First on the agenda is obesity and kids. Mike Hughes, the ISBA director-general, is already “engaged in that discussion”, according to Duncan. After five decades of insisting that obesity isn’t the fault of food high in sugar, salt and fat, it seems that a proper shift might take place.

Also in attendance was the former Liberal Democrat MP Jo Swinson. She was heavily involved in campaigning about airbrushing and body image even before becoming the minister for women and equalities in 2012. Instead of ignoring the issue, or trying to shut down the debate, the AA worked with her to ascertain whether there was a problem.

The AA’s think-tank, Credos, produced research into ethnicity and body image in advertising, including 2011’s Pretty As A Picture, that has informed the industry’s approach. Where the ad industry once might have just disagreed with campaigning feminists, this time it took the initiative to really look at what people thought about the issue and changed its position as a result.

And a renewed practical impetus is not before time. The issue of self-regulation of advertising came up in the House of Lords last Monday. Criticism came from not only Baroness Deech, who has crossed swords with the Advertising Standards Authority before, but also from Channel 4’s diversity executive, Baroness King, who one might have hoped would have got the message.

With charter renewal and more over the next few years, it seems as though everything is up for grabs. We should all make sure these good intentions around responsibility come to something over the next 18 months. Because, if we don’t, the power to change things might be ripped away from us.

12187: The McRib® Bites.

Not quite sure about the imagery here. Is Mickey D’s playing off a Halloween theme—or acknowledging the dangers of eating a McRib® sandwich?

11802: Large Laundry Loads.

Not sure why this Egyptian campaign stars overweight women. Or maybe the reason is obvious.

From Ads of the World.

11662: Mickey D’s Changes Its Mind.

Advertising Age reported Mickey D’s has removed the online McResource program advising employees to avoid eating the fast feeder’s food. A spokesperson stated the following:

We have offered the McResource program to help our valued McDonald’s employees with work and life guidance created by independent third party experts. A combination of factors has led us to re-evaluate, and we’ve directed the vendor to take down the website. Between links to irrelevant or outdated information, along with outside groups taking elements out of context, this created unwarranted scrutiny and inappropriate commentary. None of this helps our McDonald’s team members. We’ll continue to provide service to them through an internal telephone help line, which is how the majority of employees access the McResource services.

Telephone help line? Sounds like Mickey D’s is offering social services. Hey, maybe they can repurpose the ad below.

11660: Mickey D’s Admits It’s Bad.

From The New York Daily News…

McDonald’s workers advised to slow down on cheeseburgers, eat healthier, stay trim

The McResource Line has a section dubbed ‘Fast food tips,’ which illustrates how a burger, fries and soda is not as healthy as a sandwich, salad and water.

By Caitlin Nolan and Larry McShane / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

You deserve a break today — from McDonald’s.

A website for the fast food giant’s workers warned that a cheeseburger, soda and fries is an unhealthy choice for a meal.

The words of wisdom on eating healthy came from third-party content provided on the McResource Line site, where a recent posting urged folks to slow down on the fast food.

“While convenient and economical for a busy lifestyle, fast foods are typically high in calories, fat, saturated fat, sugar, and salt, and may put people at risk for becoming overweight,” the website advised.

Iris Harden, leaving a Brooklyn McDonald’s with her 6-year-old daughter Jayla, was surprised to hear about the online advice.

“Why would they do that?” wondered Harden, 38, of Red Hook. “I don’t see a lot of workers in there who are obese or anything. That’s funny.”

Kevin Reyes, 17, said the news that fast food posed potential health problems was hardly a revelation. “It’s not good for you, but everybody knows that,” said Reyes, who stops by the Golden Arches once a week.

A section of the McResource site dubbed “fast food tips” included a picture of a burger, fries and soda opposite a shot of a sandwich, salad and water.

Option one was dubbed “unhealthy choice,” while option two was labeled “healthier choice.”

“Although not impossible, it is more of a challenge to eat healthy when going to a fast food place,” the site advised. “In general, avoiding items that are deep-fried are your best bet.”

A McDonald’s spokeswoman said the fast food giant didn’t find the eat-healthy message hard to swallow.

“This website provides useful information from respected third parties about many topics, among them health and wellness,” said Lisa McComb of McDonald’s USA.

“It also includes information from experts about healthy eating and making balances choices. McDonald’s agrees with this advice.”

The venerable international business, once best known for its Quarter-Pounder and Big Mac burgers, now offers an assortment of menu items including oatmeal, grilled chicken, egg whites and real-fruit smoothies, McComb noted.

11226: Obesity Is McDisease…?

From USA TODAY…

Medical group recognizes obesity as a disease

Nanci Hellmich, USA TODAY

The American Medical Association decided Tuesday to recognize obesity as a disease, requiring a range of medical interventions to advance obesity treatment.

The American Medical Association, the nation’s largest physician organization, decided Tuesday to recognize obesity as a disease that requires a range of medical interventions for treatment and prevention.

The decision was made at the group’s annual meeting in Chicago.

Experts in obesity have struggled for years to have obesity recognized as a disease that deserves medical attention and insurance coverage as do other diseases. Previously the AMA and others have referred to obesity as “a major public health problem.”

“The American Medical Association’s recognition that obesity is a disease carries a lot of clout,” says Samuel Klein, director of the Center for Human Nutrition at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. “The most important aspect of the AMA decision is that the AMA is a respected representative of American medicine. Their opinion can influence policy makers who are in a position to do more to support interventions and research to prevent and treat obesity.”

About a third of adults in this country are obese, which is roughly 35 or more pounds over a healthy weight. A third of children and teens are overweight or obese. Obesity increases the risk of many other diseases including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer.

Patrice Harris, an AMA board member, said in a statement, “Recognizing obesity as a disease will help change the way the medical community tackles this complex issue that affects approximately one in three Americans.”

If obesity continues to grow, about 42% of Americans may end up obese by 2030, according to a projection from researchers with RTI International, a non-profit organization in North Carolina’s Research Triangle Park.

Those extra pounds rack up billions of dollars in weight-related medical bills. It costs about $1,400 more a year to treat an obese patient compared with a person at a healthy weight, research shows.

11154: Godzilla Fries Attack Japan.

From The New York Daily News…

McDonald’s Mega Potato back at select Japan restaurants

The eateries will sell the massive servings of fries for about $5 and the serving size is the equivalent of two large orders.

By Sasha Goldstein / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Super-super-super-size me!

In Japan, they want fries with that — and McDonald’s is giving it to them.

On Friday, the country’s fast-food lovers will welcome back the Mega Potato, a gigantic, unwieldy looking box of those delicious golden fries. It’s the equivalent of two large orders, Japan Today reported, and will set you back 490 yen — about $5.

It might also be your only meal for the day. The thing weighs about three-quarters of a pound and clocks in at 1,142 calories, Muripo reports. It also has about 57 grams of fat and almost 800 milligrams of sodium.

But McDonald’s insists the carton is perfect for sharing. The promotional photo of the beast shows four different hands digging in.

The Mega Potato is a limited-time offering at the fast-food restaurant, like the on-again, off-again McRib sometimes found at McDonald’s in the U.S.

Japan Today said the hefty potato package is about three times the size of your standard hamburger.

It’s not the first time Japan’s love for those Golden Arches fries has made headlines. Last year, Japanese students were photographed having “potato parties” in McDonald’s. With a low promotional price of about $2, kids were getting together to buy huge amounts of fries. In one instance last October, a group of high schoolers bought 60 servings of large fries and spent three hours downing each and every last one.

11152: Brainless Or Bulging?

Mickey D’s via DDB in Australia shows kids will give up mindless video games for obesity-inducing junk food.

From Ads of the World.

11143: Advertisers Won’t Heart This Ad.

The agency that produced this ad—RAF Communicação in Brazil—can probably look forward to never landing a fast food, snack food, soft drink, cigarette or liquor account.

From Ads of the World.

11140: Immigrating To U.S. Not Healthy.

From The New York Times…

The Health Toll of Immigration

By Sabrina Tavernise

BROWNSVILLE, Tex. — Becoming an American can be bad for your health.

A growing body of mortality research on immigrants has shown that the longer they live in this country, the worse their rates of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. And while their American-born children may have more money, they tend to live shorter lives than the parents.

The pattern goes against any notion that moving to America improves every aspect of life. It also demonstrates that at least in terms of health, worries about assimilation for the country’s 11 million illegal immigrants are mistaken. In fact, it is happening all too quickly.

“There’s something about life in the United States that is not conducive to good health across generations,” said Robert A. Hummer, a social demographer at the University of Texas at Austin.

For Hispanics, now the nation’s largest immigrant group, the foreign-born live about three years longer than their American-born counterparts, several studies have found.

Why does life in the United States — despite its sophisticated health care system and high per capita wages — lead to worse health? New research is showing that the immigrant advantage wears off with the adoption of American behaviors — smoking, drinking, high-calorie diets and sedentary lifestyles.

Here in Brownsville, a worn border city studded with fast-food restaurants, immigrants say that happens slowly, almost imperceptibly. In America, foods like ham and bread that are not supposed to be sweet are. And children lose their taste for traditional Mexican foods like cactus and beans.

For the recently arrived, the quantity and accessibility of food speaks to the boundless promise of the United States. Esther Angeles remembers being amazed at the size of hamburgers — as big as dinner plates — when she first came to the United States from Mexico 15 years ago.

“I thought, this is really a country of opportunity,” she said. “Look at the size of the food!”

Fast-food fare not only tasted good, but was also a sign of success, a family treat that new earnings put in reach.

“The crispiness was delicious,” said Juan Muniz, 62, recalling his first visit to Church’s Chicken with his family in the late 1970s. “I was proud and excited to eat out. I’d tell them: ‘Let’s go eat. We can afford it now.’”

For others, supersize deals appealed.

“You work so hard, you want to use your money in a smart way,” said Aris Ramirez, a community health worker in Brownsville, explaining the thinking. “So when they hear ‘twice the fries for an extra 49 cents,’ people think, ‘That’s economical.’”

For Ms. Angeles, the excitement of big food eventually wore off, and the frantic pace of the modern American workplace took over. She found herself eating hamburgers more because they were convenient and she was busy in her 78-hour-a-week job as a housekeeper. What is more, she lost control over her daughter’s diet because, as a single mother, she was rarely with her at mealtimes.

Robert O. Valdez, a professor of family and community medicine and economics at the University of New Mexico, said, “All the things we tell people to do from a clinical perspective today — a lot of fiber and less meat — were exactly the lifestyle habits that immigrants were normally keeping.”

Read the full story here.

11055: Fast Food Fat Cat Speaks Out.

From The Huffington Post…

Healthy Food ‘Not Our Personality,’ Says Fast Food CEO

The Huffington Post

Fast food can have a lot of calories and one CEO isn’t afraid to keep in that way.

Andy Puzder, the CEO of CKE Restaurants which owns Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s, told The Los Angeles Times that he isn’t interested in making his menus healthier. Selling 20 times more bacon cheeseburgers with 740 calories than barbecue chicken sandwiches with 390 calories, Puzder plans to continue to provide the foods that his customers want most.

“It’s not our personality and it won’t become our personality,” Puzder told The Los Angeles Times when asked about the healthy food craze. “All of our products are indulgent, decadent.”

Despite the obesity problem plaguing the entire country, Puzder has remained firm that it is not the fast food industry’s place to tell people what they can and cannot eat.

“We’re not the food police,” he said in an interview with the New Zealand Herald.

The CEO’s stance runs contrary to the direction that a majority of the fast food industry seems to be taking. In July, McDonald’s released its “Favorites Under 400 Calories” menu and more recently the fast food chain came out with a yolk-free version of its Egg McMuffin with 50 fewer calories than the original.

Burger King has also attempted to spruce up its menu with items it claims are more healthy like salads and smoothies.

Despite these efforts, customers should remain wary. A 2012 study found that while fast food menu items have grown to include items like yogurt parfaits and salads, the average number of calories in each item hasn’t decreased significantly.