This volume grew out of the annual Advertising and Consumer Psychology conference sponsored by the Society for Consumer Psychology. Representing a collection of research from academics in the fields of social psychology, advertising, and marketing, the chapters all focus on discussing existing and needed research to face the challenges of diversity in the next millennium. The contributors are researchers who have pushed the envelope in understanding diversity in advertising, rather than merely relying on theoretical frameworks developed decades ago when the demographics of the population were much different.
This volume provides a vast array of information for academics and practitioners seeking to better understand how individual characteristics impact on the sending, receiving, and processing of communication efforts. It highlights past and current knowledge on diversity in advertising, important questions that have not been addressed satisfactorily in this area, and how current theories can be used to construct better communication plans and message content. The various chapters draw upon existing literature from the fields of psychology, marketing, and related disciplines to amplify understanding and insight into developing effective advertising approaches to reach diverse audiences. This book will contribute to the understanding of the diversity of people, the changing landscape of the U.S., and the need for a more inclusive society.

Rates of childhood obesity are alarmingly high and increasing each year. Studies have shown that obese children are more likely to become obese adults and are likely to suffer with numerous health consequences like coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, and Type II diabetes, among others. Studies also indicate that television viewing and exposure to advertising for food products influences children's attitudes toward, food preferences and food purchase requests for foods with low nutritional value. It is important to better understand the role of media in childhood obesity and to learn how media may be used to address this issue in a positive way. This book focuses on communication and media research that can have an impact on reducing childhood obesity. Emphasis is placed on topics related to how the media communicate health-related messages about food, nutrition and diet that influence childhood obesity. Particular emphasis is on the new media, given the fact that media now have more central roles in socializing today's children and youth than ever before. Advertising and marketing messages reach young consumers through a variety of vehicles - broadcast and cable television, radio, magazines, computers through the Internet, music, cell phones - and in many different venues - homes, schools, child-care settings, grocery stores, shopping malls, theaters, sporting events, and even airports. In addition, given the disparity in obesity rates between children of color and the general population, special attention is given to research on media targeting these populations.

This volume grew out of the annual Advertising and Consumer Psychology conference sponsored by the Society for Consumer Psychology. Representing a collection of research from academics in the fields of social psychology, advertising, and marketing, the chapters all focus on discussing existing and needed research to face the challenges of diversity in the next millennium. The contributors are researchers who have pushed the envelope in understanding diversity in advertising, rather than merely relying on theoretical frameworks developed decades ago when the demographics of the population were much different. This volume provides a vast array of information for academics and practitioners seeking to better understand how individual characteristics impact on the sending, receiving, and processing of communication efforts. It highlights past and current knowledge on diversity in advertising, important questions that have not been addressed satisfactorily in this area, and how current theories can be used to construct better communication plans and message content. The various chapters draw upon existing literature from the fields of psychology, marketing, and related disciplines to amplify understanding and insight into developing effective advertising approaches to reach diverse audiences. This book will contribute to the understanding of the diversity of people, the changing landscape of the U.S., and the need for a more inclusive society.