eng101 #4

In chapter 2 of “Fast Food Nation” by Eric Schlosser, the author talks about the various marketing strategies used by fast food restaurants over the years. One of the arguments made by the author is that fast food companies use sneaky tactics to sell their product. He wrote, “Hoping that nostalgic childhood memories of a brand will lead to a lifetime of purchases, companies now plan “cradle-to-grave” advertising strategies.” This was describing how fast food companies try to target children at a young age. One of the methods listed was TV advertisements due to the fact that most children can’t tell the difference between a show and a commercial. This leads them to convince their parents on taking them to the restaurants. Another method is by giving away toys with their meals. The author wrote about how McDonald’s 1997 Teenie Beanie Baby giveaway boosted sales for that period more than any other promotion. These companies also target other age groups. They try to identify themselves with other known corporations to attract a wider consumer base. The author wrote, “ The competition for young consumers has led the fast food chains to form marketing alliances not just with toy companies, but with sport leagues and Hollywood studios. McDonald’s has staged promotions with the National Basketball Association and the Olympics.” The author went on to describe these strategies as the fast food companies wanting you to believe that they care for your interest and are your trusted friends.