Consumer Law

According to AdAge, McDonald's is advertising on report-cards.  In exchange for picking up the cost of printing report-cards, about $1,600, Seminole County, Florida is allowing McDonald's to put a Happy Meal coupon on the report-card jacket.  To qualify for the free Happy Meal, the child must present his or her report-card showing all A's and B's or two or fewer absences. Needless to say, this advertising has irked consumer groups and some parents, who see this as another example of big food targeting kids with junk food ads.  (Wait until the privacy advocates hear kids have to show the report cards to get the free food).  A McDonald's spokesperson defended the program stating that parents and children have a choice, and noting that McDonald's does not advertise in schools.  This last point rings a bit hollow, since the coupon on the report-card jacket is advertising, however, I do not blame McDonald's for trying to sell its products -- that's what companies do.   However, I thought that schools were in the business of educating kids, not selling ad space to companies that want to target the 5 to 13 demographic.