Advertising to Children: Concepts and Controversies

Children represent a valuable target audience for advertisers, with over $200 billion in direct purchases and influenced spending. However, questions exist about both the effectiveness of marketing to children as well as the impact this advertising has on the children themselves. Current debates over smoking and alcohol consumption highlight this issue from all perspectives: marketers, parents, and policymakers. Advertising to Children presents cutting-edge research designed to stimulate and inform this debate. Well-known authors contribute their perspectives, with chapters organized in sections to address what children know and think about advertising, how advertising works with children, and what issues are at the forefront of societal and public-policy thinking. Editors M. Carole Macklin and Les Carlson have lead research in this field and lend their expertise. More than just a litany of hot topics, this book provides a wide-angle lens on the field, with insights from advertising, marketing, communication, and psychology.