On Monday, the coalition government asked its marketing departments to plan for spending cuts of up to 40% to their advertising budgets.
Yesterday, the health secretary, Andrew Lansley gave an insight into how the government sees that businesses can help keep important marketing campaigns alive.
Lansley explained that beer companies, confectionary firms and crisp-makers will be asked to fund the government’s Change4Life campaign; an advertising campaign that aims to persuade people to switch to a healthier lifestyle. In return, Lansley has promised that these companies will not face new legislation that was to outlaw excessively fatty, sugary and salty food.
Whilst this is an innovative way of keeping an important government campaign alive, the public don t always realise that the majority of restrictions on food are imposed by mandatory implementation of European Regulations.
Is the government indulging in soft sell – or is this a promise Lansley can keep?