24/7 Calories, Love, and Happiness

-Caleb Lothian-

You’re driving late at night and start to get that empty feeling in your stomach. You try and fight it but it just escalates to the point where all you can think of is food. What’s the first thing that comes to mind late at night? 

http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/7181200/Neighbours-slam-McDonalds-drive-thru

That’s right, 24/7 McDonalds! Why’s that you may ask? I think we all know the answer to that question. McDonalds is fast and easy as well as one of the only establishments where you can get a bite to eat at any point and time. How do we know that? The marketing strategy of McDonalds has been so successful that our minds immediately think of their 24-hour service. Not only is it 24-hour service but its quick, therefore, the delay in travel time will be minimal. Quick in today’s society is the equivalent to happiness and happiness is something that we equate to love. 

http://brandchannel.com/2012/08/08/mcdonalds-247-wooing-nocturnivores-to-breakfast-after-midnight/

Happiness and love is what McDonald’s focuses their marketing strategy around. I guess their attempt at playing with people’s heart strings is to cover up the high caloric intake an individual will consume when indulging on a Big Mac… but we will touch on that later on.

 The proof is in almost any piece of advertising McDonald’s has ever produced. Just search “McDonald’s Advertising” on YouTube and see what you find. Below I have uploaded the first 2 video links that appear.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0Yqyl2ZK7Q  - “Lonely Hearts TV Commercial”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCmh8cBjUeM  - “Pay with Lovin TV Commercial”

How do you feel after watching these two videos? A sense of love and happiness for loved ones is inevitable. But there is also an increase in your network between McDonalds and these emotions. Whenever you think of love and happiness, McDonald’s is hoping you think of them. It’s even embedded in their Slogan…

https://gdblogs.shu.ac.uk/b2004546/2014/02/07/my-brief-in-development/

When in reality, you may be “lovin” the flavor but your body isn’t “lovin” you…

http://www.polyvore.com/mcdonalds_im_lovin_it_photo/thing?id=7104382

My next question is why fast food has to be unhealthy food? Why do companies not challenge McDonald’s and provide 24-hour service with fast but nutritional and satisfying food? We complain about obesity levels around the world, especially in America, but companies aren’t doing what it takes in order to provide the consumers with options. Yes, I understand that an individual must be willing and committed to a healthier life style but maybe incorporating a fast food industry that is nutritional and healthy is one possible step in the right direction. The biggest problem with McDonald’s is that it’s incredibly unhealthy. On the other hand, as I have previously stated, its biggest strength is that it’s quick and easy. People know that what they are about to eat isn’t sufficient for their nutritional needs but they do it anyway. Why? Why do consumers still place this food in their body when the calorie count is even displayed on the menu?

https://orgatalyst.files.wordpress.com/2011/02/ml_mcdonalds.jpg

It’s because people today base their food choice on convenience and flavor rather than what’s healthy and what’s not. When have you ever seen someone walk into McDonald’s, look at the menu and say, “there are way too many calories in this food, I’m leaving”? My point exactly, McDonald’s and other fast-food chains are part of the equation that yield unhealthy life styles. After furthering my research, I found that 1 in 5 American deaths are caused by obesity. Here is an article that further discusses the issue of obesity.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/809516

It’s amazing how a company can overtake an individual’s life, quite literally, and attract consumers to continuously harm their own bodies through poor nutrition. I applaud McDonald’s and other successful fast food chains for their marketing abilities. The Marketing of McDonald’s can, arguably, be placed in the same category as cigarette companies. Solely based upon their abilities to market a harmful product while at the same time receiving positive feedback through continued consumer support and sales. 

The Marketing Behind Supplements

 Marketing SUPPLEMENTS – Caleb Lothian

http://www.frugaa.com/stores/gnc/

There comes a time when an athlete, aspiring lifter or all around fitness fanatic decides to look beyond the refrigerator and food pantry in hopes of finding a "faster" and "quicker" way to build lean muscle. What stimulates these thoughts? The marketing behind the major supplement retailers such as GNC and the Vitamin Shop is your answer. First of all, I just want to point out that these stores (especially GNC) are not the right places to go with questions. Any athletic trainer for any athletic program will tell you that the GNC employees will fill your head with big words and random nutritional facts in order to get inside your wallet. As you can see, on most of the labeled supplements above, there are bold words such as “MASS” and “ADVANCED” or even “EXTREME”. What’s the purpose for this marketing strategy? To draw your attention to the more expensive and hot products on the shelf. I myself am an example of an individual who has fallen victim to the marketing of supplements. Who doesn’t want to be bigger, faster, and stronger? Watching commercials and seeing advertisements promoting supplements makes you want them more.

http://www.dubaifpc.com/pro_ifbb/frontend/articleView.php?idArt=25

Why? Because the actors within the commercials usually have the physique that you, whether male or female, are trying to embody. The above ad hints that the only way to live focused, live prepared, and live healthy is by incorporating GNC products into your diet. In order to jump high, stretch deep, and lift heavy a supplement is needed to push you that extra step. Take a look at one of GNC’s latest commercials promoting their new ‘Beyond Raw’ supplement lines.

https://youtu.be/00uw620xxIs

Now let’s break down what we just saw in that video. From the very beginning of the commercial I got a sense of the Rocky series. Waking up within the early hours of the morning, slamming down the alarm clock, tossing on some sweats, and taking off to the empty and eerie streets for what was imaged as one of the most badass runs of all time. But wait, we can’t forget the GNC Ravage pre workout drink that the actor pounded down in order to have energy and the juice to complete the run. The scene that GNC set throughout this commercial painted the picture that those who use GNC are big, bad, and tough. The cold morning air, fog in every direction and of course, running along the train tracks. What really topped this commercial off was the moment when he flicked on the lights in his warehouse gym and got to work. This man seemed determined and driven but not without yet another supplement shake half way through his lift. This tells the consumers that you need GNC supplements to keep pushing, and to hit that extra rep. I’m not saying that this commercial is bad, it is a smart and thoughtfully planned out tactic to get members within the fitness and athletic community to purchase their product. But who says you can’t get all you need out of regular and ordinary clean food. For a healthy diet that provides energy and stimulates growth, an individual just needs the proper amount of the 6 essential nutrients: Carbohydrates, Proteins, Fats, Vitamins, Minerals, and Water.

                   http://www.choosemyplate.gov/about

As I previously stated, I have fallen victim to the marketing of these supplements. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing, but you must keep an eye out for unhealthy amounts of caffeine and other potentially harmful ingredients. On a handful of these supplements, you can even find on the labels to consult a physician before consumption, but do you think many people do? No. Though it seems as if I have talked down about supplements I praise their marketing abilities. I’m hooked. It’s all a mind game now, I want to be above average and as you see below, GNC suggests that taking their product allows you to "BEAT AVERAGE".  I must have a protein shake and consume creatine in order to feel like my body is growing. Where do your thoughts fall on this subject? Do you believe a supplement is needed on top of a healthy diet in order to speed up the process of increasing strength and fitness abilities? Watch a few supplement commercials and see if you’re stimulated to try it. 

https://www.pinterest.com/AJC1170/ameliorate/