Marketplace Murmurs is a daily collection of consumer-related news, thoughts and missives that cross the minds and desks of the CBC News: Marketplace staff...

2005

VW files charges over viral ad
January 31, 2005

An update on a story from last week... The carmaker Volkswagen has filed criminal charges over a so-called viral ad making the rounds on the web that features a suicide bomber whose attack is defeated when he blows himself up but his VW Polo remains intact.

According to Reuters, VW spokesman Hartwig von Sass and the company’s advertising agency, DDB London, claim the ad was unauthorized and is “an attack on Volkswagen’s good name.”

VW has lodged a criminal complaint with prosecutors in Brunswick, Germany, but did not specify a perpetrator.

Via Reuters

posted by Tessa | 9:56 AM (ET) | Permalink

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Romanian villagers walk eight kilometres for their cellphones (uphill ... in the snow)
January 28, 2005

Ananova reports that residents of Ciosa, Romania, are buying up cellphones, even though they have never had electricity in their village. Their network signal is good, but they have to walk eight kilometres to the next village to recharge their phone batteries.

Via Ananova

posted by Tessa | 11:20 AM (ET) | Permalink

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McDonald’s targets kids as young as four with ads
January 28, 2005

Related Marketplace stories: Cafeteria Confidential, Fat Grade

A McDonald’s executive says the fast food company takes Ronald McDonald, it’s colourful clown mascot, to elementary schools and aims its advertising to children as young as four.

Marlena Peleo-Lazar, McDonald’s chief creative officer and vice president, says the school visits made by Ronald are part of McDonald’s effort to teach children about healthy choices.

Peleo-Lazar was testifying yesterday at a one-day food marketing hearing at the U.S. Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Science.

The U.S. Congress is preparing to begin considering regulations that may limit food advertising aimed at children.

Advertising lobbying groups, including the Association of National Advertisers, the American Advertising Federation, the American Association of Advertising Agencies, the Grocery Manufacturers of America, and marketers General Mills, Kraft Foods and Kellogg Co. have been meeting for a year to formulate strategy against any congressional attempt to curtail food advertising aimed at children.

Related entries:
Court revives teens’ suit against McDonald’s
Kraft to cut back on junk food ads aimed at kids
American vending machine group launches anti-obesity effort
Junk food ad ban proposed
Fast food supersizes

Via AdAge.com

posted by Tessa | 9:43 AM (ET) | Permalink


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Health Canada weighs ban on baby bath seats
January 27, 2005

Parents should avoid buying infant bath seats or bath rings because the products are linked to injuries and drownings, pediatricians say. Earlier today, the Canadian Pediatric Society asked its members to discourage parents from buying and using the seats or rings.

Health Canada's Consumer Products Safety Bureau is now testing the safety of the products, with results expected in the spring. A decision on whether to ban the devices is expected shortly thereafter.

Via CBC Health & Science News

posted by Tessa | 8:10 PM (ET) | Permalink

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Snap-happy in-laws be damned
January 27, 2005

Camera shy? Computing giant Hewlett-Packard is working on something to make life easier for you.

CNET reports that HP has developed a system in which digital cameras would be equipped with circuits that could be remotely triggered to blur the face in any images captured by the camera.

In other words, someone who doesn't want their photo taken could click a device to ensure any cameras or camera-equipped gadgets in range got only a fuzzy outline of their face.

The system, which HP has patented, would allow people to selectively opt out of having their photo taken – allaying privacy concerns without resorting to more draconian measures such as banning cameras (some spas and gyms have barred camera-equipped mobile phones).

No word on whether Jennifer Aniston et al. are investors in the technology.

Comment [thanks Pierre!]: 1) Will this "picture blurring technology" work only on HP products? Does it damage the "appliance" it is used against? What is the cost? Does it have side effects? There are many tech issues to consider. Would its proximity to a cell phone, for instance, hamper making a call, to say 911? 2) Will users be required to get a license from the gov’t to use it? I know that no Hollywood star has ever committed a crime, ever in history, but what about average people who are always stealing, hookering, tax frauding, and so on? Please forgive my sarcasm! 3) What will the technology work on? Only consumer digital cameras? Only those dammed picture cell phones? Or will it work on confectionary store surveillance cameras. You'll note I'm not worried about the banks.... 4) It might be a good idea. Privacy wise. The problem today is the any idiot with about $500 to waste can invade your (or my) privacy to the point, where they know more about us than we do. Then too, there might be embarrassment or blackmail issues, but, hey we're all honest and perfect, right? Clearly some of these idiots need to be stopped. And we don't all have bodyguards who will "accidentally step on their toys", now do we? 5) In summary: I think that this new technology, like a butcher knife, is neutral. But it is up to the human user to decide if the use is good. If I make you a nice stir-fry dinner, or a nice broiled chicken, or whatever, then the use of the technology (the knife) is good... One the other hand, I could go slash Tessa's tires, if I were a young teenage punk. That would be what? A bad use?

Via Picturephoning and CNET

posted by Tessa | 9:40 AM (ET) | Permalink

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Best wishes for your green-thumbed loved ones
January 27, 2005

A new product to add to the tomb of weird things you can buy… The BBC reports that toy makers in Japan have developed a new way to say, “I love you.” They’re producing bean plants, which sprout to reveal one of six different messages such as “Good Luck” and “I Love You,” inscribed on the plant with a laser beam.

Via BBC

posted by Tessa | 9:22 AM (ET) | Permalink

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Court revives teens’ suit against McDonald’s
January 26, 2005

Related Marketplace stories: Cafeteria Confidential, Fat Grade

McDonald's Corp. must face a suit by New York teenagers who claim the company hid the health risks of Chicken McNuggets and other foods and made them obese, an appeals court has ruled.

The court revived part of the teens’ class-action lawsuit, reinstating claims relating to deceptive advertising.

In the original suit, which was dismissed in January 2003, the teens said they ate at McDonald's restaurants three to five times a week over a 15-year period.

Their suit claimed McDonald’s hid the health risks of its food in its advertisements.

McDonald's argued there was no evidence that the teenager saw the ads. The company also defended the accuracy of its advertising.

Via Washington Post

posted by Tessa | 10:14 AM (ET) | Permalink

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On hold? Be careful what you say
January 25, 2005

You’ve called a customer support line and heard a recording that says, “this call may be monitored.”

Then you’re put on hold. For a while.

What you might not realize is that you may be monitored even while you curse and cuss the elevator music wafting down the line.

Monitoring is intended to track the performance of call centre operators, but the New York Times reports (registration required) that professional snoops are inadvertently monitoring callers, too:

It is at these times that monitors hear husbands arguing with their wives, mothers yelling at their children, and dog owners throwing fits at disobedient pets, all when they think no one is listening. Most times, the only way a customer can avoid being recorded is to hang up.

Via Schneier on Security and the New York Times

posted by Tessa | 9:24 AM (ET) | Permalink

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Study linking Vioxx to heart problems finally published
January 25, 2005

Vioxx, the anti-inflammatory drug taken off the market last fall because of safety concerns, could have caused thousands of heart problems and even deaths in the United States, a controversial study suggests.

Via CBC Health & Science News

posted by Tessa | 12:30 PM (ET) | Permalink

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Mud flies in pesticides turf war
January 25, 2005

Worried that its market share is wilting with the Canadian-led movement to ban pesticide use, the American lawn-care industry has launched a campaign touting the health and lifestyle benefits of thick, green lawns.

"The gloves are off," declares an industry ad running in trade magazines under a picture of masculine-looking leather gardening gloves lying atop a lush green lawn. "Yes, legislation and regulations have been throwing the green industry some rough punches," the ad says. "And we're about to start fighting back."

The campaign [see the 'consumer thank you' brochure] has its roots in a trade association called Project Evergreen, which is made up of pesticide makers, applicators, garden centres and mower manufacturers.

The group plans to launch a national public-relations campaign this spring pushing the “positive effects of well-maintained green spaces, including lawns and landscapes, sports turf, golf courses, parks and other areas.”

Beyond Pesticides, an environmental group in Washington, claims the campaign is little more than an attempt to greenwash the lawncare industry. The group has responded to Project Evergreen's "gloves are off" ad with a copycat version that features a pair of daisy-decorated gardening gloves over the headline, "Get a Grip."

Comment [thanks S.A.!]: Has "pesticide" become a generic term including herbicides?  I think many more people use herbicides on lawns to get rid of weeds than use a pesticide to get rid of creepy crawlies.  Yet whenever the pros and cons are in question, "pesticide" is the word used, especially by those wishing to ban the use of possibly harmful chemicals. Comment [thanks V!]: The whole issue of pesticide use is becoming a hotter and hotter topic - the district of West Vancouver in B.C. just this week passed a cosmetic pesticide ban bylaw for residential properties. What I'd like to see is a story on the Health Canada (pest management regulatory agency) review of various pesticides and which ones are going to be staying ‘on the shelves.’ There are 'murmurs' from reputable sources that the decisions are being made based on the basis of how it will affect trade, and not on potential health effects. A bit of digging on this story would be really enlightening for many, I would think.

Via Scripps Howard News Service

posted by Tessa | 11:20 AM (ET) | Permalink

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Baby bottle warning
January 25, 2005

An American scientist says he’s worried about the safety of babies' bottles.

Professor Fred vom Saal claims the chemical Bisphenol A, used in the production of many clear plastic bottles, could be linked to a growth in the number of children diagnosed with behavioural disorders.

Vom Saal's research comes on the heels of a study, published last year, which found that the chemical —also used in many other food and beverage containers— causes genetic damage in mice.

And while we're on the topic of potential hidden dangers ... The WWF says some fish from the Baltic Sea may be too toxic to eat because of industrial poisons that are also harming wildlife from seals to eagles.

Via London Evening Standard and Reuters

posted by Tessa | 9:58 AM (ET) | Permalink

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Viral marketing backfires for VW
January 24, 2005

If you haven’t seen an example for yourself, you’ve probably heard about the phenomenon of ‘viral marketing.’ That’s the term used for a marketing campaign that spreads at lightning speed.

These days the web is the medium of choice for such campaigns, because an online push has the potential of spreading a company’s word like wildfire.

But while the tactic may help companies reach much-sought gen-yers and the like, it can also leave a company feeling mighty burned.

That’s what the automaker Volkswagen is claiming, after a couple of filmmakers created a hoax (says VW – the filmmakers aren’t talking) viral commercial that features what appears to be a Palestinian suicide bomber driving a VW Polo car.

In the short film, the terrorist drives the car through a city before blowing himself up. The car remains intact. The film is a play on VW’s own campaign for the Polo, which has the tagline: “Small but tough.”

Via Ad Age (registration required) and AdLand

Speaking of the web’s viral ability to make things popular, here's a song that is enjoying lots of play today, thanks in large part to a number of blogs that have posted links to it.

"Whistler's Delight" is a mash-up by DJ Riko that blends a bunch of popular whistling ditties together. I know this has nothing to do with consumer news, but in light of the fact that January 24 is the most depressing day of the year, I thought it might bring you a bit of cheer.

Via boingboing

posted by Tessa | 10:42 AM (ET) | Permalink

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Costco Picasso update
January 21, 2005

Looks like someone bought that Picasso drawing from Costco that I mentioned earlier this week. No word on whether the sketch fetched the $39,999.99 US asking price. Discouraged collectors may be comforted by the fact that Costco still has plenty of lithographs (some signed) by well-known artists. They're not originals, but remember, it is Costco and you're encouraged to buy in bulk.

Via Costco and CBC Arts News

posted by Tessa | 1:21 PM (ET) | Permalink

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Canadians vulnerable to 'debt time bomb'
January 21, 2005

Do you have trouble with debt? Do you want personal financial advice from an expert? Marketplace wants to help you get out of debt. Please contact Stephanie at stephanie_kampf@cbc.ca.

Canadians have been going on such a borrowing binge that they risk real trouble if they were hit by a sudden economic shock like a big rise in interest rates, according to a new report from CIBC World Markets.

That's the thesis of "Are We Sitting on a Debt Time Bomb?", by CIBC World Markets economist Benjamin Tal. He notes that household debt has been rising twice as fast as disposable income over the past 15 years.

He says Canadians are seven per cent more in debt than they were a year ago and 20 per cent more in debt than five years ago.

Via CBC Business News

posted by Tessa | 11:15 AM (ET) | Permalink

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“Smart car” system reads driver’s emotions
January 21, 2005

A Scottish company has developed “emotion sensor” software that monitors a driver’s mood for road rage or drowsiness – and takes action if that mood is deemed to be a problem.

If the system senses that a driver is tired (indicated by signals such as flat speech), it will trigger an alarm to rally the driver. If the system picks up signs that a driver is vexed, it tries to calm the driver by shifting the car’s temperature or playing soothing music.

Here’s a description from Affective Media’s website:

It is a hot summer's day and you are stuck in traffic. You don't feel like letting a driver in ahead and you no longer feel relaxed but can feel some frustration and rage taking over. Our emotion recognition technology automatically detects your increase in stress and responds by cooling the climate of the car and playing your favourite music. You begin to feel less stressed and no longer wish to be confrontational.

Via Scotsman and we make money not art

posted by Tessa | 9:50 AM (ET) | Permalink

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Truck drivers protest Ford’s plan to crush vehicles
January 20, 2005

A group of Ford truck drivers are staging a week-long “car sit-in” in Sacramento, protesting the automaker's decision to take back their electric, non-polluting vehicles.

Back in the late 1990s, the Ford Motor Company built hundreds of “EV Rangers,” battery-powered pickup trucks that were to comply with the California Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, which stated that that by 2003, 10 per cent of new cars sold in the state must have zero emissions.

But then General Motors brought suit against California's emissions requirement. The litigation --and a new focus on hybrid electric-fuel technology-- lead the state to back off the 2003 deadline.

The Ford vehicles were leased to both public fleets and private individuals. Now most of those trucks have run out their leases and Ford has asked for them to be returned so they can be "recycled."

Via The Sacramento Bee

posted by Tessa | 10:27 AM (ET) | Permalink

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Everyday chemicals ‘cause infertility, cancer and birth defects’
January 20, 2005

A group scientists are appealing for new regulations on everyday chemicals which they say are making 15 per cent of European couples infertile.

The scientists claim the chemicals, used in everything from air fresheners and glues to furniture and ceramics, are also causing a quarter of the population to suffer allergies and have tripled birth defects in the past 20 years.

At present only new chemicals have to be assessed for their effects on people’s health and the environment, which makes up less than three per cent of those in everyday use. The proposed regulations would see every chemical tested and registered.

Industry warns the cost of the proposed regulations would force businesses to close with the loss of thousands of jobs.

Related Marketplace story: Toxic Brew

Via Via Cork Irish Examiner, Ireland

posted by Tessa | 9:55 AM (ET) | Permalink

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European rules force electronics companies to clean up
January 20, 2005

Related Marketplace story: High-tech Trash

The San Francisco Chronicle reports that technology and consumer electronics companies are going greener, and much of the credit goes to the European Union. A series of laws and regulations put in place by the 25-nation consortium is changing the way tech companies do business.

Despite weaker laws in the United States, many Silicon Valley companies are working hard to meet new European Union rules on such matters as electronics recycling, toxic substances and chemicals.

The EU's stringent recycling standard, requiring manufacturers to reuse electronics waste, is being phased in and will be fully in effect by the end of 2006.

Via San Francisco Chronicle

posted by Tessa | 9:35 AM (ET) | Permalink

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Microsoft tones down tough talk on spam
January 19, 2005

Back in January 2004, Microsoft chairman Bill Gates predicted that “spam will be solved” by 2006. But as Salon reports, we’re 346 past that bold forecast, and “spam still comprises over 60 per cent of e-mail traffic.”

Now it seems Microsoft is backing off from Gate’s prophecy of a spam-free near future. A spokesman for the company says Microsoft’s goal is to help “contain the spam problem by 2006.”

Via Salon

posted by Tessa | 10:35 AM (ET) | Permalink

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A Picasso and a tub of olives, please
January 19, 2005

Over at the Costco website, I see the discount retailing giant has more to offer than litres of olives and super-sized crates of clementines. Check out this “Original Crayon Drawing by Pablo Picasso” on offer for the wee sum of $39,999.99 US:

This is an original crayon on paper drawing by Pablo Picasso. The front of the work is signed and dated (November 29, 1970) by Pablo Picasso. The authentication is a hand written and signed declaration by Picasso's daughter, Maya on a photograph of the actual drawing.  She is the world's utmost authority. Hand-made in Italy, the solid wood frame is hand-gilted with 22K gold leaf to complement the work. The work of art is then surrounded by hand-stretched linen.

The authenticity of the authentication document was verified by appraiser Jerry Bengis.

Via boingboing and Associated Press

posted by Tessa | 10:15 AM (ET) | Permalink

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An update to a story from last week: Two major cosmetics companies in the U.S. have agreed to eliminate chemicals suspected of causing cancer, birth defects and infertility from their products, including a common plasticizer in nail polish.

Revlon Inc. and L'Oreal USA say they'll abide by a new European Union anti-toxics rule when the companies formulate their products for sale in the United States.

Where's Canada on the issue? Good question. Here's what Health Canada says on its website:

For a number of years, Health Canada has been monitoring all phthalate-related issues and has taken action where appropriate, e.g. risk reduction measures regarding the use of DEHP and DINP (diethylhexyl phthalate and diisononyl phthalate) in consumer products.

In Summer 1999, Health Canada mandated its Inter-Branch Plasticizer Working Group to review and assess the use of plasticizers in commercial products, in support of the development of risk/benefit management options under its newly revised Decision-Making Framework.

The Science Team of this Working Group has begun to focus on phthalates including DBP, and is expected to complete its report by the end of 2001. This Working Group has been monitoring the world literature and one of its members sat on the Expert Panel which completed is review of phthalate plasticizers on behalf of the US National Toxicology Program (NTP), in October 2000.

End of 2001? I've put in a call to Health Canada to see where things stand today. I'll post an update when I hear back from them.

UPDATE (2:02 PM):

I just had a quick chat with Margot Geduld, media relations at Health Canada. While Canada doesn't have an outright ban on the use of phthalates in cosmetics, Geduld tells me that from Health Canada’s standpoint, “we closely monitor the use of all cosmetic products. And we have, as you know, the Cosmetics Regulations where manufacturers are required to disclose ingredients in cosmetic products to Health Canada.”

Via Heal the House and San Francisco Chronicle

posted by Tessa | 11:33 AM (ET) | Permalink

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Pub-crawling with Big Brother
January 18, 2005

The VeriChip

A nightclub in Glasgow is set to offer patrons the option of having a microchip implanted in their arm that will obviate the need to carry their wallet or queue for entry. The chip is based on Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, and is already being used by VIP members at two nightclubs in Barcelona and Rotterdam and by Mexico's Attorney General.

The ‘VeriChip,’ which is about the size of a grain of rice, is implanted between the layer of fat and skin on the upper arm. The chip sends out a low-range radio frequency when scanned, providing he scanner with its unique ID number. The ID number will correspond to the balance on the chipped person's account at Bar Soba.

Steve van Soest, one of more than 100 people who have been "chipped" at Baja Beach Club in Barcelona, believes: "It would be great if this catches on and you could put all your personal details and medical records on it. If I was involved in an accident, doctors could simply scan me and find out my blood group and any allergies."

It all sounds fairly innocuous, but if you do a web search under "RFID" and "privacy" you'll see RFID technology -and the ubiquitous applications being developed for it- is piquing the concern of privacy watchers and putting its advocates on the defensive.

The FDA recently approved the VeriChip for medical applications in the United States.

Via We make money not art and The Guardian

posted by Tessa | 10:30 AM (ET) | Permalink

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Rethinking globalization ... one ink cartridge at a time
January 18, 2005

Related Marketplace story: Ink Stink

The Wall Street Journal reports that some consumer-electronics companies are designing products so they will work only in specific geographic regions. For example, some of the latest printers from Hewlett-Packard Co. refuse to print if they aren't fed ink cartridges bought in the same region of the world as the printer.

The WSJ says HP has quietly begun implementing "region coding" for its highly lucrative print cartridges for some of its newest printers sold in Europe. Try putting a printer cartridge bought in the U.S. into a new HP printer configured to use cartridges purchased in Europe and it won't work. Software in the printer determines the origin of the ink cartridge and whether it will accept it.

The measure apparently prevents thrifty foreign consumers and gray marketers -- traders who sell goods through channels that haven't been authorized by the manufacturer -- from taking advantage of the decline of the U.S. dollar against the world's major currencies to buy lower-price products in the U.S.

HP's approach is similar to that taken by Hollywood when it comes to DVDs. Movies sold in the North America, which generally are cheaper, are designed so they don't play in European or Asian DVD players.

Via Wall Street Journal

posted by Tessa | 9:42 AM (ET) | Permalink

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Taking the manufacturing of pop music to a whole new level
January 17, 2005

The Guardian reports that the record biz, “once that bastion of wayward creative flair, is succumbing to the plain old-fashioned science of statistical analysis.”

Apparently the industry – from small labels to big names like Sony and Universal – is jumping aboard the technology bandwagon with a piece of software called Hit Song Science (HSS) that is said to be able to "predict" the chance of a song being a hit or a miss.

Developed by a Spanish company, Polyphonic HMI, the system isolates and separates 20 aspects of a song’s construction (such as melody, harmony, chord progression, beat, tempo and pitch) and compares those against a database containing 30 years' worth of Billboard hit singles. The new song is then given a score, which apparently indicates whether it has a chance of becoming a chart success.

Via fark.com

posted by Tessa | 10:24 AM (ET) | Permalink

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For sale: The meaning of life
January 17, 2005

Another item to file under the "weird things you can buy" category.

The meaning of life is now available for purchase on eBay. In the seller’s words:

“Here it is, the ultimate truth in existence, the meaning of life. It is contained in this small envelope on a plain piece of white lined paper. Nothing showy, only the absolute truth. It could be a single word, a paragraph, or an entire treatise. Whoever makes the winning bid will discover its secret...

Why am I putting this information up for sale? First because I know it will garner attention to the truth I have found, and second because I will be giving any money raised from this auction to charity. I am not selling this for material gain, but only to help humanity. I hope everyone seeing this will consider that when they make a bid.”

Via bloggerheads.com

posted by Tessa | 9:52 AM (ET) | Permalink

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Advertising on the brain: Update III
January 14, 2005

For those following the strange world of bodvertising... In the end, Andrew Fischer (who I told you about on Monday -- he's the guy who was auctioning off his forehead as ad space on eBay) snagged $30,100 US. There were 113 bids.

And with that, the week has come full-circle... Have a lovely weekend.

posted by Tessa | 2:23 PM (ET) | Permalink

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American vending machine group launches anti-obesity effort
January 14, 2005

The vending machine industry in the United States, taking heavy criticism as kids and other Americans get fatter, is launching an anti-obesity marketing campaign to improve its image and fend off efforts to remove machines from schools.

Under the program, run by the National Automatic Merchandising Association, vending machines will operate under a colour-coded safety guide based on a nutritional ratings system. A coloured label will appear next to chips, trail mix, candy bars, cookies and crackers in vending machines. Each colour rates the product’s nutritional worth.

Related Marketplace story: Fat Grade.

Via USA Today

posted by Tessa | 10:42 AM (ET) | Permalink

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Cosmetics companies dump phthalates
January 14, 2005

Three major cosmetics manufacturers say they’ve stopped using chemicals known as phthalates in their products.

Phthalates have emerged as a health concern in recent years, especially for women of childbearing age.

L'Oréal, Revlon and Unilever have confirmed they have eliminated certain chemicals from their cosmetic products in compliance with the European Union 7th Amendment Cosmetic Directive.

The EU law required that, by January 1, 2005, cosmetics companies refrain from the use of certain ingredients, including phthalates DBP and DEHP used in some fragrances, hair sprays and nail polishes. The law came about to ensure safety against alleged potential side effects of certain ingredients to consumer health.

Related Marketplace story: Cosmetics and the cancer connection.

Via The Cosmetics Site, Wall Street Journal [subscribers]

posted by Tessa | 9:52 AM (ET) | Permalink

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Killer carbs? Cancer fighter in the tea leaves?
January 13, 2005

The debate over acrylamide continues. While no one knows if the levels found in snacks like French fries are safe, the white, odourless chemical has been said to cause cancer and reproductive problems in laboratory rats fed high doses.

Here’s an interesting article that presents the “everything in moderation” view and talks about some new studies that are looking into the subject.

Meanwhile, the debate goes on about whether green tea contains any health benefits. Dr. Stephen Lam of the B.C. Cancer Agency is conducting a placebo-controlled study on green tea, to test whether it can prevent cancer in long-time smokers.

Believers in the health benefits of green tea point to Chinese and Japanese lore, and to early scientific results, as evidence of its effectiveness. But pharmaceutical researcher Heather Boon of the University of Toronto cautions that the results of human tests are conflicting.

Via Knight Ridder Newspapers, CBC News Online

posted by Tessa | 10:24 AM (ET) | Permalink

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U.S. cracks down on porn spam
January 12, 2005

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission has charged a network of six adult entertainment companies and an affiliate marketer with violating a federal law. The companies and the affiliate allegedly sent unsolicited, sexually explicit e-mail to consumers.

The charges are the first pornography-related anti-spam action to be taken by the FTC.

The companies are accused of violating several sections of the Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing (CAN-SPAM) Act, including a requirement that unsolicited adult-themed e-mail include a "sexually explicit" label in the subject line.

Via TechWeb

posted by Tessa | 2:38 PM (ET) | Permalink

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Kraft to cut back on junk food ads aimed at kids
January 12, 2005

Kraft Foods says it will remove some of its snack foods from advertising in media seen by children aged 6-11 as part of the fight against rising obesity levels.

Oreo cookies, among Kraft’s best-sellers, are to be banned from television, radio and print adverts aimed at children in the U.S.

Via Financial Times

posted by Tessa | 10:51 AM (ET) | Permalink

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Keep kids away from cellphones
January 12, 2005

Related Marketplace story: Cellphone Study

No child under eight should have a mobile phone, and base towers should be kept away from schools, an official inquiry into the safety of mobiles in England has found.

Although there was "no hard evidence" the phones caused harm, the number of mobile phone users had doubled to 50 million since 2000 and there were now 40,000 base stations.

Cellphones have a short history and health problems could take decades to emerge, the inquiry says. It referred to studies that have indicated possible adverse effects, including an increase in acoustic neuromas - a non-cancerous brain tumour - in long-term users in Sweden, and changes to cognitive function in Dutch users.

While parents might give teenagers mobiles for security reasons, the inquiry’s chairman, Sir William Stewart, head of the U.K.’s National Radiological Protection Board, cautioned: "When it comes to three- to eight-year-olds, I can't believe [giving them mobiles] can be readily justified. For eight- to 14-year-olds that is a judgement parents have to make.

"My view is that on the evidence we have, children should use mobile phones for as short a time as possible, they should use text messaging where possible and should choose a phone with a low SAR value [specific energy absorption rate, a measure of the microwave radiation emitted]."

Via London Independent, England

posted by Tessa | 10:22 AM (ET) | Permalink

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Advertising on the brain: Update II
January 12, 2005

Andrew Fischer, the guy who's trying to auction his forehead as ad space on eBay, has reached 109 bids, with the last one coming in at $22,100 US. Of course this has been helped by the media coverage Fischer's stunt has received. The BBC and NBC are just two of the news organizations that have picked up Fischer's story.

posted by Tessa | 9:50 AM (ET) | Permalink

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Cleaning products may affect babies' breathing
January 11, 2005

Related Marketplace story: Toxic Brew

Pregnant women who use a lot of household chemical products are more likely to have babies with persistent wheezing, new research from Britain reports.

In the 10 per cent of families who used cleaning chemicals most frequently, children were twice as likely to suffer wheezing problems as the families where they were used least.

The report’s author, Dr. Andrea Sherriff of the University of Bristol, says that other studies throughout Europe and the USA have demonstrated an increased risk of asthma in people working as cleaners.

Via Reuters Health

posted by Tessa | 2:10 PM (ET) | Permalink

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Advertising on the brain: Update
January 11, 2005

An update on the fella who's hoping to lease his forehead via an auction on e-Bay. As of this moment, he's received 120 bids, with the latest coming in at $21,150 US.

posted by Tessa | 10:10 AM (ET) | Permalink

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A very long tail indeed
January 11, 2005

The folks over at Google.com have compiled 800 million Usenet messages into a 20-year archive of "firsts" mentioned in usenet history up to December 2001.

Among them:

September 1989: First mention of “The Simpsons.”

May 1981: First mention of Microsoft.

December 1982: Federal Communications Commission approval of the first cellular phone network.

December 1982: First thread about AIDS.

April 1985: First discussion thread about the “new Coke.”

March 1988: First mention of the term “search engine.”

September 1989: First mention of “The Simpsons.”

May 1993: First mention of “Britney Spears.”

August 1993: First mention of “Osama bin Laden.”

January 1994: Instance of first mass spamming.

April 1994: Instance of first mass commercial spamming.

September 1995: eBay founder Pierre Omidyar advertises new auctioning service.

March 1998: First mention of Google.

posted by Tessa | 10:03 AM (ET) | Permalink

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Advertising on the brain
January 10, 2005

If you think ads already appear everywhere imaginable, think again. A 20-year-old self-proclaimed “average Joe” is leasing his forehead on eBay.

"I'm basically going to be a billboard for 30 days," says Andrew Fischer.

The highest bidder will have the rights to put their company name, logo, or message on his forehead.

As of this morning, Fischer has more than 80 bidders, with the top bidder coming in at $1,375 US. Fischer has even started his own website, http://www.humanadspace.com/, to market the notion.

posted by Tessa | 11:09 AM (ET) | Permalink

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Air miles trump dollars as top currency
January 10, 2005

Unredeemed frequent-flier miles are the most voluminous currency in the world, worth more than the cash supply of dollars and pounds combined.

By the end of 2004, almost 14 trillion frequent flyer miles had been accumulated worldwide. The global stock is worth more than $700 billion (US), more than all the US dollar bills in circulation.

For more, see this article in The Guardian Unlimited.

Also from this weekend’s Guardian is an interesting article on fortified food. There are now hundreds of food supplements on the shelves and they're even being added to our food. But do we really need them and could they be doing us harm?

posted by Tessa | 9:41 AM (ET) | Permalink

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Junk food ad ban proposed
January 7, 2005

Among the guidelines:

• No ads for nutritionally poor food choices on TV shows that have more than a quarter of the audience under age 18;
• No product or brand placement for such foods in media aimed at children, including movies, TV and websites;
• No toys, points, club memberships or apparel with food or meals emblazoned on them that don't meet certain nutritional standards;
• No games tied to marketers' websites, unless the games were promoting nutritional products;
• No movie or cartoon characters or celebrities would be licensed to be used in ads or on packaging for children's products that don't meet nutritional standards.

Advertisers have been quick to criticize the guidelines, noting that under the proposed ad restrictions, youths aged 16 and over could drive, but couldn't receive advertising messages. Dan Jaffe, executive vice president of the Association of National Advertisers, says the CSPI is "infantilizing" consumers.

MORE: Group calls for junk food ad ban on children's shows (article from Adage.com - registration required).

posted by Tessa | 12:14 PM (ET) | Permalink

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Stating the obvious
January 6, 2005

An entry for a toilet brush with the warning, "Do not use for personal hygiene" won first prize in the eighth annual Wacky Warning Label Contest. Second prize was awarded for a label on a children's scooter that said, "This product moves when used."

The contest is conducted by Michigan Lawsuit Abuse Watch to demonstrate "how lawsuits, and concern about lawsuits, have created a need for common sense warnings on products."

posted by Tessa | 9:34 AM (ET) | Permalink

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Another weird product
January 5, 2005

File this under the "moments of weird products zen" category: the Arkon LavNav.

It's a a nightlight for your toilet seat.

The LavNav is able to sense your approach and emit either a gentle green glow glow (if the seat is down) or fire off a red-beam alert (if the seat is up).

posted by Tessa | 12:58 PM (ET) | Permalink

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Fast food supersizes
January 4, 2005

Happy New Year! Back at my desk with plenty of things to catch up on...

A new study by the University of Minnesota has found that healthy young men and women gained an extra 4.5 kilograms, on average, over 15 years if they ate fast food more than twice a week. They also doubled their rate of a pre-diabetes condition known as insulin resistance. (Related Marketplace stories: Cafeteria Confidential,
Fat Grade)

posted by Tessa | 10:14 AM (ET) | Permalink

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