scholarly journals The Nature and Extent of Online Marketing by Big Food and Big Alcohol During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Australia: Content Analysis Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florentine Martino ◽  
Ruby Brooks ◽  
Jennifer Browne ◽  
Nicholas Carah ◽  
Christina Zorbas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Online Marketing ◽  
World Health ◽  
Unhealthy Food ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Food And Beverage ◽  
Parent Companies

BACKGROUND Emerging evidence demonstrates that obesity is associated with a higher risk of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Excessive alcohol consumption and “comfort eating” as coping mechanisms during times of high stress have been shown to further exacerbate mental and physical ill-health. Global examples suggest that unhealthy food and alcohol brands and companies are using the COVID-19 pandemic to further market their products. However, there has been no systematic, in-depth analysis of how “Big Food” and “Big Alcohol” are capitalizing on the COVID-19 pandemic to market their products and brands. OBJECTIVE We aimed to quantify the extent and nature of online marketing by alcohol and unhealthy food and beverage companies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. METHODS We conducted a content analysis of all COVID-19-related social media posts made by leading alcohol and unhealthy food and beverage brands (n=42) and their parent companies (n=12) over a 4-month period (February to May 2020) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. RESULTS Nearly 80% of included brands and all parent companies posted content related to COVID-19 during the 4-month period. Quick service restaurants (QSRs), food and alcohol delivery companies, alcohol brands, and bottle shops were the most active in posting COVID-19-related content. The most common themes for COVID-19-related marketing were <i>isolation activities</i> and <i>community support</i>. Promotion of hygiene and home delivery was also common, particularly for QSRs and alcohol and food delivery companies. Parent companies were more likely to post about corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, such as donations of money and products, and to offer health advice. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to show that Big Food and Big Alcohol are incessantly marketing their products and brands on social media platforms using themes related to COVID-19, such as <i>isolation activities</i> and <i>community support</i>. Parent companies are frequently posting about CSR initiatives, such as donations of money and products, thereby creating a fertile environment to loosen current regulation or resist further industry regulation. “COVID-washing” by large alcohol brands, food and beverage brands, and their parent companies is both common and concerning. The need for comprehensive regulations to restrict unhealthy food and alcohol marketing, as recommended by the World Health Organization, is particularly acute in the COVID-19 context and is urgently required to “build back better” in a post-COVID-19 world.

scholarly journals The Nature and Extent of Online Marketing by Big Food and Big Alcohol During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Australia: Content Analysis Study

10.2196/25202 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. e25202
Author(s):  
Florentine Martino ◽  
Ruby Brooks ◽  
Jennifer Browne ◽  
Nicholas Carah ◽  
Christina Zorbas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Online Marketing ◽  
World Health ◽  
Unhealthy Food ◽  
Depth Analysis ◽  
Food And Beverage ◽  
Parent Companies

Background Emerging evidence demonstrates that obesity is associated with a higher risk of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Excessive alcohol consumption and “comfort eating” as coping mechanisms during times of high stress have been shown to further exacerbate mental and physical ill-health. Global examples suggest that unhealthy food and alcohol brands and companies are using the COVID-19 pandemic to further market their products. However, there has been no systematic, in-depth analysis of how “Big Food” and “Big Alcohol” are capitalizing on the COVID-19 pandemic to market their products and brands. Objective We aimed to quantify the extent and nature of online marketing by alcohol and unhealthy food and beverage companies during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. Methods We conducted a content analysis of all COVID-19-related social media posts made by leading alcohol and unhealthy food and beverage brands (n=42) and their parent companies (n=12) over a 4-month period (February to May 2020) during the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia. Results Nearly 80% of included brands and all parent companies posted content related to COVID-19 during the 4-month period. Quick service restaurants (QSRs), food and alcohol delivery companies, alcohol brands, and bottle shops were the most active in posting COVID-19-related content. The most common themes for COVID-19-related marketing were isolation activities and community support. Promotion of hygiene and home delivery was also common, particularly for QSRs and alcohol and food delivery companies. Parent companies were more likely to post about corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, such as donations of money and products, and to offer health advice. Conclusions This is the first study to show that Big Food and Big Alcohol are incessantly marketing their products and brands on social media platforms using themes related to COVID-19, such as isolation activities and community support. Parent companies are frequently posting about CSR initiatives, such as donations of money and products, thereby creating a fertile environment to loosen current regulation or resist further industry regulation. “COVID-washing” by large alcohol brands, food and beverage brands, and their parent companies is both common and concerning. The need for comprehensive regulations to restrict unhealthy food and alcohol marketing, as recommended by the World Health Organization, is particularly acute in the COVID-19 context and is urgently required to “build back better” in a post-COVID-19 world.

Prevalence of problematic social media use among residents and teaching assistants in Ain Shams University Hospitals and faculty of medicine and its relationship to emotional distress

QJM ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 114 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
H Allam ◽  
G ELNahas ◽  
M El-Habiby ◽  
H Elkholy
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Media Use ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Well Being ◽  
World Health ◽  
University Hospitals ◽  
Social Media Use ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Stress Levels ◽  
Problematic Social Media Use

Abstract Background Social media use becomes pervasive and universal among young adults including medical personnel. Furthermore, it become established that more frequent use of the social media is associated with negative psychological well-being, anxiety which represents the second leading cause of disability among all psychiatric disorders and depression which represents the single largest contributor to global disability according to the World Health Organization. The Aim of this study To analyze the relationship between the use of social media, stress level, anxiety and depression among residents in Ain Shams University Hospitals (ASUH) and academic demonstrators in faculty of medicine. Patients and Methods This is an observational cross-sectional study, Conducted in Ain Shams University hospitals (ASUH), we included 200 of staff and medical school academics in faculty of medicine, starting from February 2018 till August 2019. Results 33 participants showed average social media use representing 16.5% while 167 participants showed problematic social media use representing 83.5%. 11 participants showed low stress levels representing 5.5%, 127 participants showed moderate stress levels representing 63.5% while 62 participants showed high stress levels representing 31%. Conclusion Social media use by clinicians is widespread, especially by younger clinicians for personal and reference purposes. Use of multiple SM platforms is independently associated with symptoms of depression and anxiety, even when controlling for overall time spent in their use.

scholarly journals Vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaccination attitudes during the start of COVID-19 vaccination program: a content analysis on Twitter data

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hüseyin Küçükali ◽  
Ömer Ataç ◽  
Ayşe Zülal Tokaç ◽  
Ayşe Seval Palteki ◽  
Osman Erol Hayran
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
World Health ◽  
Vaccine Hesitancy ◽  
Analysis Method ◽  
Conspiracy Theories ◽  
Health Authorities ◽  
Content Analysis Method ◽  
Health Organization

Background: Vaccine hesitation, which is defined as one of the most important global health threats by World Health Organization, maintains its universal importance during the COVID-19 period. Due to the increasing appearance of anti-vaccine arguments on social media, Twitter is a useful resource in detecting these contents. In this study, we aimed to identify the prominent themes about vaccine hesitancy and refusal on social media during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: In this qualitative study we collected Twitter contents which contain a vaccine-related keywords and published publicly between 9/12/2020 and 8/1/2021 (n=551,245). A stratified random sample (n=1041) is selected and analyzed by four researchers with content analysis method. Results: All tweets included in the study were shared from 1,000 unique accounts of which 2.7% were verified and 11.3% organizational users. 90.5% of the tweets were about vaccines, 22.6% (n=213) of the tweets mentioned at least one COVID-19 vaccine name and the most frequently mentioned COVID-19 vaccine was CorronaVac (51.2%). Yet, it was mostly as "Chinese vaccine" (42.3%). 22.0% (n=207) of the tweets included at least one anti-vaccination theme. Among tweets that included an anti-vaccination theme; poor scientific processes (21.7%), conspiracy theories (16.4%), and suspicions towards manufacturers (15.5%) were the most frequently mentioned themes. The most co-occurred themes were "Poor scientific process" theme come along with "suspicion towards manufacturers" (n=9) and "suspicion towards health authorities" (n=5). Conclusions: This study may be helpful for health managers to identify the major concerns of the population and organize the preventive measures, through the significant role of social media on early information about vaccine hesitancy and anti-vaccination attitudes.

scholarly journals Cigarette Packs With URLs Leading to Tobacco Company Websites: Content Analysis (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitlin Victoria Weiger ◽  
Katherine Smith ◽  
Amy Y Hong ◽  
Joanna E Cohen
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
World Health ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Corporate Websites ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Low And Middle Income

BACKGROUND Tobacco companies include on the packaging of their products URLs directing consumers to websites that contain protobacco messages. Online media tend to be underregulated and provide the industry with an opportunity to present users with protobacco communication. OBJECTIVE The objective of our study was to document the content of websites that were advertised on tobacco packs in 14 low- and middle-income countries. METHODS We purchased tobacco packs from 14 low- and middle-income countries in 2013 and examined them for the presence of URLs. We visited unique URLs on multiple occasions between October 1, 2016 and August 9, 2017. We developed a coding checklist and used it to conduct a content analysis of active corporate websites to identify types of protobacco communication. The coding checklist included the presence of regulatory controls and warnings, engagement strategies, marketing appeals (eg, description of product popularity, luxury/quality, taste), corporate social responsibility programs, and image management. We coded brand websites separately and also described social media and other website types. RESULTS We identified 89 unique URLs, of which 54 were active during the search period. We assessed 26 corporate websites, 21 brand websites, 2 nontobacco websites, and 5 social media pages. We excluded 2 corporate websites and 14 brand websites due to limited accessible content or incomplete content. Corporate social responsibility was discussed on all corporate websites, and marketing appeals were also common. Corporate websites were also more likely to include more nonspecific (12/24, 50%) than specific (7/24, 29%) health warnings. Promotions (6/7, 86%) and sociability appeals (3/7, 43%) were common on brand websites. The small number of social media webpages in our sample used gendered marketing. CONCLUSIONS URLs appearing on tobacco packs direct consumers to websites where users are exposed to marketing that highlights the “positive” contributions of tobacco companies on corporate websites, and extensive promotions and marketing appeals on brand websites and social media pages. It is essential that marketing regulations become more comprehensive and ban all protobacco communication, a policy that is in line with articles 5.3 and 13 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. For countries that already ban internet tobacco advertising, enforcement efforts should be strengthened. Tobacco companies’ use of URLs on packs may also be compelling for plain packaging advocacy, where all branding is removed from the pack and large graphic health warning labels are the only communication on the tobacco packaging. Future research should consider including tobacco websites in marketing surveillance.

scholarly journals Mapping of outdoor food and beverage advertising around primary and secondary schools in Kampala city, Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oumy Erica Wie Dia ◽  
Anne Lene Løvhaug ◽  
Peter Milton Rukundo ◽  
Liv Elin Torheim
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
World Health ◽  
Food Marketing ◽  
Unhealthy Food ◽  
Outdoor Advertising ◽  
Food And Beverage ◽  
Kampala City

Abstract Background Marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages is recognized as a contributing factor to the global increase in overweight and obesity, particularly among children. Such marketing negatively affects children’s dietary preferences, food choices, purchasing requests, and consumption patterns. Given that little is known about food marketing in Africa, including in Uganda, monitoring children’s exposure to food marketing is essential to generate evidence on the problem and develop meaningful policy responses. The aim of this study was to describe the food and beverage marketing environment surrounding schools in urban and peri-urban areas of Kampala city. Methods Outdoor advertising around 25 randomly sampled primary and secondary schools within a radius of 250 m of each school was mapped. Information on size, setting, type, and position of the advertisements and the healthiness of the foods and beverages promoted was collected using the INFORMAS Outdoor Advertising Protocol. The occurrence of advertising was described using frequencies, median, and density per 100m2. Results A total of 1034 branded advertisements were identified around the schools. Of these, 86% featured unhealthy products, 7% healthy products, and 7% miscellaneous products. The most advertised products were sugar-sweetened beverages and alcoholic beverages (51 and 23%, respectively). Schools in the urban area were surrounded by more unhealthy ads than those in the peri-urban areas (median of 45 vs 24 advertisements). Conclusion The widespread extent of unhealthy food and beverage advertisements around primary and secondary schools highlights the need for food marketing regulation in Uganda, in line with the World Health Organization’s recommendations, to ensure that young people are protected from unhealthy food marketing.

scholarly journals Assessing Suicide Reporting in Top Newspaper Social Media Accounts in China: Content Analysis Study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaisheng Lai ◽  
Dan Li ◽  
Huijuan Peng ◽  
Jingyuan Zhao ◽  
Lingnan He
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Information Dissemination ◽  
Application Programming Interface ◽  
World Health ◽  
Who Guidelines ◽  
Reporting Practices ◽  
Mainstream Media ◽  
Social Media Platforms

BACKGROUND Previous studies have shown that suicide reporting in mainstream media has a significant impact on suicidal behaviors (eg, irresponsible suicide reporting can trigger imitative suicide). Traditional mainstream media are increasingly using social media platforms to disseminate information on public-related topics, including health. However, there is little empirical research on how mainstream media portrays suicide on social media platforms and the quality of their coverage. OBJECTIVE This study aims to explore the characteristics and quality of suicide reporting by mainstream publishers via social media in China. METHODS Via the application programming interface of the social media accounts of the top 10 Chinese mainstream publishers (eg, People’s Daily and Beijing News), we obtained 2366 social media posts reporting suicide. This study conducted content analysis to demonstrate the characteristics and quality of the suicide reporting. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, we assessed the quality of suicide reporting by indicators of harmful information and helpful information. RESULTS Chinese mainstream publishers most frequently reported on suicides stated to be associated with conflict on their social media (eg, 24.47% [446/1823] of family conflicts and 16.18% [295/1823] of emotional frustration). Compared with the suicides of youth (730/1446, 50.48%) and urban populations (1454/1588, 91.56%), social media underreported suicides in older adults (118/1446, 8.16%) and rural residents (134/1588, 8.44%). Harmful reporting practices were common (eg, 54.61% [1292/2366] of the reports contained suicide-related words in the headline and 49.54% [1172/2366] disclosed images of people who died by suicide). Helpful reporting practices were very limited (eg, 0.08% [2/2366] of reports provided direct information about support programs). CONCLUSIONS The suicide reporting of mainstream publishers on social media in China broadly had low adherence to the WHO guidelines. Considering the tremendous information dissemination power of social media platforms, we suggest developing national suicide reporting guidelines that apply to social media. By effectively playing their separate roles, we believe that social media practitioners, health institutions, social organizations, and the general public can endeavor to promote responsible suicide reporting in the Chinese social media environment.

scholarly journals An Instagram-Based Study to Understand Betel Nut Use Culture in Micronesia: Exploratory Content Analysis

10.2196/13954 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. e13954
Author(s):  
Wayne Buente ◽  
Francis Dalisay ◽  
Pallav Pokhrel ◽  
Hanae Kurihara Kramer ◽  
Ian Pagano
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Cultural Context ◽  
World Health ◽  
Betel Nut ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Health Organization

Background A 2012 World Health Organization report recognizes betel nut use as an urgent public health threat faced by the Western Pacific region. However, compared with other addictive substances, little is known about how betel nuts are depicted on social media platforms. In particular, image-based social media platforms can be powerful tools for health communication. Studying the content of substance use on visual social media may provide valuable insights into public health interventions. Objective This study aimed to explore and document the ways that betel nut is portrayed on the photo-sharing site Instagram. The analysis focuses on the hashtag #pugua, which refers to the local term for betel nut in Guam and other parts of Micronesia. Methods An exploratory content analysis of 242 Instagram posts tagged #pugua was conducted based on previous research on substance use and Instagram and betel nut practices in Micronesia. In addition, the study examined the social engagement of betel nut content on the image-based platform. Results The study findings revealed content themes referencing the betel nut or betel nut tree, betel nut preparation practices, and the unique social and cultural context surrounding betel nut activity in Guam and Micronesia. In addition, certain practices and cultural themes encouraged social engagement on Instagram. Conclusions The findings from this study emphasize the cultural relevance of betel nut use in Micronesia. These findings provide a basis for empirically testing hypotheses related to the etiological roles of cultural identity and pride in shaping betel nut use behavior among Micronesians, particularly youths and young adults. Such research is likely to inform the development of culturally relevant betel nut prevention and cessation programs.

scholarly journals The Devil Is in the Detail: Challenging the UK Government’s 2019 Impact Assessment of the Extent of Online Marketing of Unhealthy Foods to Children

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (19) ◽  
pp. 7231
Author(s):  
Mimi Tatlow-Golden ◽  
Daniel Parker
Keyword(s):  
Impact Assessment ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Online Marketing ◽  
World Health ◽  
Unhealthy Food ◽  
Digital Devices ◽  
Department Of Health ◽  
The Government ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Impact

Background: How much unhealthy marketing do children see on digital devices? Marketing of unhealthy food and beverages has long been identified as a factor in children’s preferences, purchase requests and consumption. Rising global obesity mandates States to craft environments that protect children and young people’s health, as recommended by the World Health Organization, among others. However, assessing the impact of marketing restrictions is particularly challenging: the complexity of digital advertising markets means that measurement challenges are profound. In 2019, the UK Department of Health published an Impact Assessment that applied a novel method aiming to calculate costs and benefits of restricting unhealthy food and beverage advertising on digital devices (planned for implementation by 2022). It estimated UK digital unhealthy marketing to children at 0.73 billion advertising impressions annually, compared to television impacts of 3.6 billion. Aim and Method: We assessed this conclusion by reviewing the UK Department of Health/Kantar Consulting’s Online Baseline Methodology (the “Government Model”). We examined the model’s underlying premise and specified the seven analytic steps undertaken. For each step, we reviewed industry and academic evidence to test its assumptions and the validity of data applied. Results: We found that, in each step, the Government Model’s assumptions, and the data sources selected, result in underestimates of the scale of digital advertising of unhealthy foods—at least tenfold, if not substantially more. The model’s underlying premise is also problematic, as digital advertising spend data relate poorly to digital advertising exposure, leading to further underestimation of market scale. Conclusion: We conclude that the Government Model very substantially underestimates the impact of digital unhealthy food advertising restrictions on health. This analysis has relevance for global policy and for the impact of regulation on children’s health and well-being.

scholarly journals The Timing, Nature and Extent of Social Media Marketing by Unhealthy Food and Drinks Brands During the COVID-19 Pandemic in New Zealand

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Gerritsen ◽  
Fiona Sing ◽  
Karen Lin ◽  
Florentine Martino ◽  
Kathryn Backholer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
Fast Food ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Social Media Marketing ◽  
Unhealthy Food ◽  
First Case ◽  
Food And Drink ◽  
Advertising Standards

Background: Concerns have been raised that health and societal causes surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic were misappropriated by companies to promote their unhealthy products to vulnerable populations during a time of increased stress and hardship (i.e., COVID-washing). Social media is a common medium for unhealthy foods and beverage marketing due to lack of regulation and low levels of monitoring.Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the timing, nature and extent of COVID-washing on public social media accounts by New Zealand's major food and drink brands in the initial stage of the pandemic after the first case was detected in New Zealand and when stay-at-home lockdown restrictions (Level 4 and 3 Alert levels) were in place.Methods: A content analysis of social media posts from February to May 2020 by the twenty largest confectionery, snacks, non-alcoholic beverages, and quick-service restaurant (fast-food) brands was undertaken. COVID-19 related posts were identified and classified to investigate the timing, themes and engagement with social media marketing campaigns, flagging those that may breach New Zealand's Advertising Standards.Results: 14 of 20 unhealthy food and drink brands referenced COVID-19 in posts during the 4-month period, peaking during nationwide lockdown restrictions. Over a quarter of all posts by the 14 brands (n = 372, 27.2%) were COVID-19 themed. Fast-food brands were most likely to use COVID-19 themed posts (n = 251/550 posts, 46%). Fast-food brands also had the highest number of posts overall during the pandemic and the highest engagement. The most commonly-used theme, present in 36% of all social media posts referring to COVID-19, was to draw on feelings of community support during this challenging time. Suggesting brand-related isolation activities was also common (23%), and the message that “consumption helps with coping” (22%). Six posts were found to potentially breach one of New Zealand's advertising standards codes by promoting excessive consumption or targeting children.Conclusion: COVID-washing was used by unhealthy food and drinks brands to increase brand loyalty and encourage consumption. The current Advertising Standards system is ineffective and must be replaced with a government-led approach to effectively regulate social media advertising to protect all New Zealanders, particularly in times of crisis.

scholarly journals Marketing Mix Implementation in Small Medium Enterprises: A Study of Galeristorey Online Business

ETIKONOMI ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-126
Author(s):  
Rora Puspita Sari
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Marketing Mix ◽  
Online Marketing ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Descriptive Research ◽  
Online Business ◽  
Traditional Marketing ◽  
Small Medium Enterprises ◽  
Medium Enterprises

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the implementation of marketing mix in online business company, whether the online business adopt solely the traditional marketing mix model or the internet factors is also included, since the business platform itself in on social media. Descriptive research and content analysis using interview and observation were used to analyse the marketing mix implementation in Galeristorey online business. Evidence suggested that Galeristorey implemented few elements of the marketing mix both the traditional marketing mix and the online marketing mix. The cause of the limited use of marketing mix elements because of the barriers faced by Galeristorey as an SME. Further researcher may widen the research sample and creates empirical study on the marketing mix implementation of online business that used social media as its main business platform.DOI: 10.15408/etk.v16i1.3950

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