Short Takes: Privacy Groups on Snack Attack

A coalition of  consumer advocacy and privacy organizations filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission stating that PepsiCo and its subsidiary Frito-Lay  are targeting youth with branded entertainment that constitutes advertising. The complaint states that this constitutes deceptive advertising. “These companies are targeting youth with chips and sodas, using advertising that is masquerading as entertainment,”  said Jeffrey Chester, of the Center for Digital Democracy.

The FTC,  the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Department of Agriculture recently submitted proposed voluntary guidelines for food marketers in April that suggested limits on the way foods are marketed online and offline. The guidelines will not include marketing directed at children aged 12 to 17.

More in Media

Digiday Publishing Summit September 2026 Recap: How publishers are rebuilding for the post-search era

Execs at DPS described how they’re preparing for a post-search era by prioritizing direct audiences, diversified revenue and AI strategies.

From brand deals to equity deals: creators want a stake, not just a fee

The creator economy is moving into a new phase: creators getting into companies at the ground floor through sweat equity or angel investing.

Media Briefing: Publishers question whether personalization actually pays off

Publishers are personalizing newsletters to get more value from readers, but questions remain over whether it’s a meaningful differentiator.