Consumer Groups Lobby to Remove Ads from Schools

CONSUMER GROUPS LOBBY TO REMOVE ADS FROM SCHOOLS
[SOURCE: AdAge, AUTHOR: Meredith Deliso]
In an age where advertising is more aggressive and techniques that target children are controversial, there are those who want to keep at least one area free of paid content: schools. With Channel One anchors bringing news into the classroom and now BusRadio blaring on yellow school buses across the country, Commercial Alert, the Center for a New American Dream and Obligation have organized a campaign to remove the news program and radio show from every school in the country. A letter endorsed by 40 organizations and 64 children's advocates was sent last week to the 100 leading national advertisers and the top 50 advertising agencies urging them not to advertise with the two companies. The campaign comes at a time when advocacy groups are increasingly targeting below-parental-radar tactics such as advergaming and viral marketing. Of particular concern is food advertising -- especially ads for fast food, soda and sugary cereal -- geared toward students at a time when childhood obesity is a national concern.
http://adage.com/mediaworks/article?article_id=111979