Coca-Cola anti-obesity promises include no advertising to kids

Coca-Cola is making major promises to fight obesity – ceasing advertisements directed at kids, slapping calorie counts on all its packaging – as the soda giant stares down a rising tide of concern over sugar-stuffed beverages. But the part of Coca-Cola’s pledge likely to get the most attention is the promise not to market to audiences where children under age 12 make up more than 35%. The company has often said in the U.S. that it does not buy advertising directly targeting such demographics, but now appears to have expanded the policy globally. Commercials on television, radio, print, the Internet and mobile phones are all affected. It’s unclear what will become of the cuddly polar bear Coca-Cola likes to employ in its advertising.