The US-based Parents Television Council has announced its annual list of the best and worst television advertisers.
The council, a conservative lobby founded in 1995 to ensure that children are not “constantly assaulted by sex, violence and profanity” on television and in other media, encourages advertisers to support programming that is safe for families.
“Advertisers are the lifeblood of TV programs, and the kind of content they sponsor matters greatly,” says council president Tim Winter.
“Our recent research has shown TV programs are getting more violent and have increased profanity, which is extremely concerning to families.
“Advertisers have the power to change TV for the better and reverse these trends.”
He says those advertisers on the council’s Best List are sponsoring programming that is generally safe for kids and families to watch. Advertisers on the Worst List need to improve their TV ad buys.
The lobby recently warned parents about the film, Joker, and its "extremely violent" content. But it applauded Disney+ for crafting a safer platform than most other streaming services.
The council, with 1.4 million members, encourages families to support those companies on the Best List with their holiday shopping.
The Best and Worst Advertisers of 2019 by category:
Cars
BEST: Ford, GM, Chrysler
WORST: Subaru, Toyota, Nissan
Fast Food/QSR
BEST: Dairy Queen, Wendy's
WORST: YUM! Brands (KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell), Subway
Discount Retail
BEST: Walmart
WORST: Target
Department/Clothing Stores
BEST: TJX, Jos. A. Bank
WORST: Kohl's, Limited Brands (Victoria's Secret)
Consumer Electronics
BEST: Apple, Google
WORST: Microsoft, Samsung
Food and Beverage
BEST: Coca-Cola, Smuckers
WORST: Pepsi, Mars, Inc. (M&Ms, Pedigree, Whiskas, Orbit gum, etc.)
Telecom
BEST: Verizon
WORST: T-Mobile
Consumer Products
BEST: Procter & Gamble (Tide, Pampers, Pantene, Olay, Gillette)
WORST: Unilever (Axe, Degree, Klondike, Lipton)
Insurance
BEST: State Farm
WORST: Geico
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