Fast Food Marketing
Many fast food companies invest in advertising to convince consumers to buy their products. While commercials can range from annoying to amusing, they are all part of a carefully planned strategy to get consumers to buy more.
Watch this video from Read, Write, Think to learn more about persuasive techniques in advertising.
> The Art of Rhetoric
(from Read Write Think)
(This video begins with about 30 seconds of very short image clips that appear to flash. This may be distracting to some viewers.)
Think about the fast food commercials that you have seen in magazines, on billboards and on television. Which strategies do fast food companies use to get consumers to buy their products? How do advertisers make fast food appealing? What impact has fast food advertising had on your consumption of fast food? Write your responses on page 5 in your Engineering Portfolio.
One of the most controversial fast food marketing practices is the issue of marketing to children. Is it unethical for companies to market unhealthy foods to young children? Justify your response using the resources below or other reputable sources:
Teacher Note
Before beginning, have students turn to page 5 of their Engineering Portfolios. After students watch the "Art of Rhetoric" video, ask them to think about popular commercials that use these techniques.
Essential Questions
- What responsibility (if any) do restaurants have to offer healthy meal options?
More to Explore
How does the food industry's advertising budget compare to the amount of money spent to promote healthy eating?
