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That car you want to buy could end the world…and other advertising copy --- Michael Hedges June 17, 2008
Regulators unable to find workable solutions to real problems keep taking out their frustration on media, advertising and marketing. Restrictions and bans on tobacco, alcohol and junk food ads are meant to decrease demand for products carrying elements of risk – even when all legal. Now the European Commission is gearing up for an assault on automobile advertising in the name of environmental risk.

Junk food fight moves to new media --- Michael Hedges March 18, 2008
The ad people aren’t stupid. When the job is selling Skittles, they will mass that awesome creativity and sell Skittles. Consumer groups want laws.

Football focuses on Poland’s competitive TV market --- Michael Hedges February 25, 2008
Football matches are events made-for-TV. Broadcasters bid against each other for rights virtually assured of the advertising and audience bonus. For this summers’ Euro 2008 championships Polsat bought all rights freezing out public broadcaster TVP.

Food And Soft Drink Companies Representing Some Two-Thirds Of European Food Advertising Pledge To Stop Promoting Junk Food to The Under 12s Within A Year, And Unlike A Similar Food Company Pledge In The US, This One Has Independent Verification --- Philip M. Stone - December 12, 2007
European governments are serious in attacking obesity. It’s not just the individual’s personal health – the disease kills 10-13% of all Europeans and obesity rates have tripled since the 1980s -- but it’s a money issue, too, eating up some 2-8% of all health costs depending on the country. So it’s no wonder the European Commission threatened food manufacturers that they take action, or action will be taken for them.

Kellogg Will Advertise Only Nutritional Food To The Under 12s Globally In A Major Victory In The War Against Childhood Obesity --- Philip M. Stone - June 15, 2007
Make no mistake, television food advertising aimed at kids is a huge grown-ups business worth some $3 billion in the US alone last year. A recent US government study said that half the junk food, sugary cereals, and soft drinks ads are on TV programs aimed at the under 12s. Nutritionists and government officials around the world are convinced such ads are a leading cause of the large increase in childhood obesity. But an admonished Tony the Tiger says he’ll do better from now on.

At Least One Thing Seems To Unite European And American Lawmakers When It Comes To Television –Those Unhealthy Food Ads Targeted At Kids Need Restrictions, But Voluntary or Legislation? --- Philip Stone - February 12, 2007
On both sides of the Atlantic the campaign is gaining steam – obesity is a major problem, it’s continually getting worse in children at ever younger ages and one big villain is television. And although some food producers have voluntarily cut back targeting ads at the under 12s, and some government agencies have proposed what they see as tough advertising restrictions, the verbiage from some lawmakers and lobby groups is that it’s not enough.

Switzerland Writes New Media Law --- Michael Hedges - April 3, 2006
The final draft of Switzerland’s new law on radio and television (LRTV) reached Parliament after three years in the writing. The long process enabled public and private broadcasters, politicians and civil society to debate, change and debate again the first fundamentally different Swiss media legislation since the 1980’s. For radio broadcasters the new LRTV will bring liberalized advertising and sponsoring rules and, eventually, new FM frequency allocations.

Russia’s Ad Market Explodes in 2005. New Law Puts On The Brakes. --- Michael Hedges - February 23, 2006
Ad spending in Russia passed US$ 5.1 billion in 2005, at the explosive rate averaging 30% in each of the last three years. Legislation now passed its second reading in the State Duma might bring an end to the seemingly endless TV ads, billboards on virtually every building and, of course, spam, filling Russian computer screens and threatening mobile phones.

Convergence is Here!! --- Michael Hedges - October 31, 2005
EC media commissioner Viviane Reding spells out a delicate vision for moving forward, and every other direction.

Food Ads Under Attack Again --- Philip Stone June 27, 2005
On both sides of the Atlantic the campaign is gaining steam – obesity is a major problem, it’s continually getting worse in children at ever younger ages and one big villain is television. And although some food producers have voluntarily cut back targeting ads at the under 12s, and some government agencies have proposed what they see as tough advertising restrictions, the verbiage from some lawmakers and lobby groups is that it’s not enough.

Online, Asleep Or Dead --- Michael Hedges October 21, 2013 Follow on Twitter
Now with economic crisis mostly averted, media people are returning to themes of old. Change has been so fatiguing. Media consumers just don’t understand. The internet remains a curse. And young people are as perplexing as ever.

Politicians Change Media Strategy, Bet On Next Election --- Michael Hedges July 3, 2019 - Follow on Twitter
The media playbook for politicians was written, sadly, many years ago. Disinformation is, also sadly, quite effective. Total control over every platform is not simply a good strategy. It is the only strategy.

Ad Rules and Changing Behavior --- Michael Hedges June 15, 2009 Follow on Twitter
Governments regularly invite controversy when advertising is the subject. In the most honorable sense, civil society stakeholders have a right to demand civil responsibility from those creating commercial speech. On the other side, it’s about changing people’s behavior or, simply, rewarding the powerful few.

Advertising, Enhancement And Economics --- Michael Hedges October 24, 2011 Follow on Twitter
That advertising powers a considerable portion of the media world is clear to one and all. The advertising people know this and leverage their investments for maximum benefit. Media people know it, too, and want their piece of the action. What advertising means to broader economics is the stuff of late night debate.