There is a new commercial coming out about hot dogs and the risk of colon cancer. Actually, the ad is for improving nutrition in schools and removing processed meats, but it is looked at that the hot dog is the culprit. The ad opens with images of hot dogs in a cafeteria. Then, you see a young boy, saying "I thought I'd live forever. I was dumbfounded when the doctor told me I had late stage colon cancer." Then there are two other children talking about cancer and how it has effected them and their families. By the way, none of these children have cancer in real life. The ad ends with a voice saying how "even small amounts of processed meats can lead to adult cancers."
According to this AP article, there is some debate about the commercial. The Hot Dog Council feels like the sponsor--Cancerproject is just using a scare tactic. Cancerproject feels like it is raising awareness about an important issue, stating that there have been a number of studies linking the role of precessed meats to the risk of colon cancer.
What do you think about this ad? Is it merely a scare tactic or does it provide useful information? Is it right to use the children in this ad?
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The Cancerproject group is correct that there have been a number of studies showing a link between colon cancer and intake of processed meats. However, the positive correlation is only in with a high consumption of processed meats. A few studies can be read here, here, and here.
I think the problem with this ad is that it gives the impression that eating one hot dog is going to give you colon cancer. In reality, someone would have to be eating at least one hot dog everyday for several years to increase the risk of colon cancer to 5-7%. Truly, that's a lot of hot dogs. Personally, I do not eat hot dogs and have not done so for a long time even before ED began. However, as a young child, I did eat hot dogs. Heck, I even loved hot dogs and ate them right out of the package!! I can't even believe I did that now, but I doubt that that is really going to give me colon cancer.
While it is true that shaping good eating habits early on is helpful for children in making better choices nutritionally, it does not mean that hot dogs and other foods need to be vilified. As always, everything needs to be in moderation.
Although I know logically commercials are only there to entice you, make money off of you, hoping that you'll be swayed by its contents to buy their products, but I still couldn't help but watch them during the Olympics. Of course, it's the only way, they really have to fill in the gaps between the events. Advertisers know that the majority of the people (2/3 worldwide) viewing the Olympics are not watching just for the commercials. (I'd say the Superbowl wins that title) Instead, they pay millions of dollars for a coveted ad spot in hopes that you'll see their ad, be persuaded, and buy their product. Amazing how commercialization works.
With that said, here's a rundown of some of the commercials featured. McDonald's had quite a few since they were the "restaurant for the Games." It helped that athletes like Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt loved McDonald's products. Here's one of the ads. Don't you love that they have that girl with the ripped ads? I guess she got those by eating McDonald's.
McDonald's also showed a more touching side with this ad entitled "Layover" where the African-American boy shares his McNuggets with a Muslim little girl.
Then there was Coke who has been a longtime sponsor of the Olympics. One of the commercials this year looked at cultural stereotypes between the Chinese and Americans. The ad featured basketball stars LeBron James and Yao Ming, taking a break from basketball and "united" by drinking coke.
Coke also showed this one which I really liked, despite the fact that I no longer drink Coke or any soft drink for that matter.
Home Depot also aired several commercials throughout the Olympics, demonstrating their Job Opportunities Program in helping athletes. I think I saw something like 660 athletes, 180 medals, in one of their last commercials during the closing ceremonies.
VISA Gold ran a lot of commercials throughout the Olympics, showcasing various athletes in both triumph and heartache. Besides the music and graphics, VISA made a great choice in using Morgan Freeman for the voice. I'm still trying to figure out how they showed the VISA Gold commercial congratulating Phelps on his eight Olympic medals literally right after he won. I'm thinking it had to have been pre-made. I posed this question to my dad, and all he said was, "well, Morgan Freeman is out of the hospital you know." Okay, and that signifies? Despite these technical questions, I really liked the VISA Gold ads. I thought they showed true "Olympic" spirit.
I don't know how I missed this commercial by Nike. Or maybe I did see it, but it went by so fast? Who knows, but it's a great tribute to the Olympics with a cool song!
Although Budweiser is more known for sponsoring the Superbowl, the Olympics did air one of the popular Clydesdale horse ads. In this one, "Thunder" doesn't get chosen for the team. However, with coaching from the Dalmatian and his hard work, he perseveres and makes the team. How can you not win the hearts of America with dogs, horses, and the "Gonna Fly" song from the movie, Rocky. Actually, I have that on my ipod. I use it when I need inspiration, running up a big hill. I imagine myself like Rocky when he climbs the Philadelphia stairs and reaches the top! It works most of the time.
And lastly, if you can't wait for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver , there is already a commercial promoting it. This is the first time I've seen it. Maybe those of you in Canada have already seen it. Kids plus winter attire, showing off the winter sports equals cuteness!
Whew, that took a lot of editing! My apologizes to those who are on google reader and had to see these posts separately. I was trying to edit and condense them all into one, but it posted them anyway.
