Urge Nickelodeon/ Viacom to Stop Marketing Junk Food to Children

Viacom, parent company of the children’s entertainment giant Nickelodeon, needs to hear a loud and clear message from parents and others concerned about children’s health: Stop using SpongeBob SquarePants and other media to market junk food to kids.

Cookie Crisp Cereal Ad on Nickelodeon

A new study by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) found that 79% of foods marketed to children by Viacom are too high in fats, salt, and/or sugars.

Please take a moment to urge Viacom/Nickelodeon to put in place strong nutrition standards for which foods and beverages the company will (and won’t) market to children on Nickelodeon television channels, the Internet, in Nickelodeon magazines, using Nick and other Viacom characters that appeal to kids, or through other marketing.

Also, please pass this alert along to friends and family. Thank you for your help!

Tell me more

Subject:

Dear CEO Philippe Dauman

(Edit Letter Below)

I urge Viacom to be a leader in improving food marketing to children.  Given the sky-high obesity rates in children, the time has come for Viacom to set strong nutrition standards and apply them to your full range of marketing to children, including for television, magazines, Internet, and use of all Viacom characters that appeal to children.

I was disappointed to learn that little has changed in Nickelodeon's food marketing to children in the past three years.  Nickelodeon still markets primarily unhealthy foods to children, which is inconsistent with the company's claims to promote good nutrition and physical activity.  In addition, it undermines parents' efforts to promote and feed their children a healthy diet.

As the number-one entertainment company for children, Viacom would send a powerful message to families and have a tremendous impact on children's health if the company agreed to only market healthier foods to children.  I hope the company will, without delay, establish nutrition standards for which foods it will market to children through its television channels, magazines, movies, websites, and use of licensed characters.

I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]

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Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman

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