This book provides a vivid examination of the issue of consumer inequality in America—one of society's most under-discussed and critical issues—through the evaluation of real-life cases, the trend of consumers suing companies for discrimination, and the application of novel frameworks to establish legitimate consumer equality. Everyone—regardless of race, gender, or other appearance-based factors—should receive equal access and equal treatment in businesses open to the public. Unfortunately, consumer equality has yet to be achieved. In fact, marketplace discrimination remains a pervasive problem in the United States, in spite of racial inroads on other fronts—employment and housing, for example. Consumer Equality: Race and the American Marketplace is the first book to elucidate how consumer discrimination remains an unresolved, pressing, and complex issue. Written by three well-established experts on consumer discrimination and business law who have presented their research and opinions to national and local media and as expert witnesses in court cases, this book examines the multilayered problem that results in citizens being suspected of committing a crime or detained by police or security personnel because of their ethno-racial background. This book could be considered required reading for representatives of large corporations, small businesses, and any organization interested in avoiding charges of marketplace discrimination as well as civil rights groups, community organizations, and organizations concerned about social justice.

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.

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.