Advertising Standards Canada releases children's advertising compliance report
By Adnews Staff
Advertising Standards Canada has released its 2011 compliance report on the Canadian Children's Food and Beverage Advertising Initiative. According to the organization, participating companies "have demonstrated excellent compliance in meeting their program commitments." The program was launched by the food and beverage industry in 2007 to address various issues related to advertising aimed at children under the age of 12. The guidelines cover advertising on television, radio, the Internet and mobile devices, as well as in print, in video games, on DVDs and via word-of-mouth activities. The 2011 report evaluates compliance by companies including Burger King, Campbell, Coca-Cola, Ferrero, General Mills, Hershey, Janes Family Foods, Kellogg, Kraft, Mars, McCain Foods, McDonald's, Nestlé, Parmalat, PepsiCo, Post Foods, Unilever and Weston Bakeries. According to the organization, 92% of the food and beverage television commercials that aired during monitored children's programming during a 10-day period in 2011 were in compliance with the program. This is an increase from 80% in 2010. "Since the program's inception in 2007, participating companies have made complying with their commitments a high corporate priority, and this is reflected in the outstanding record of compliance that they have achieved," said Linda Nagel, president and CEO of Advertising Standards Canada.