EDITORIAL: Coke deal deserves to go flat

Fri. November 06, 2009; Posted: 08:37 PM

Nov 06, 2009 (The Joplin Globe - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- KO | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- The CEO of the American Academy of Family Physicians says a six-figure deal with Coca-Cola Co. will not have any effect on the group's editorial content about soft drinks and obesity.

Does that come with fries, too?

Apparently a number of doctors associated with the group aren't buying the company line. More than 20 of them have pulled their memberships, and we expect there will be more walking away.

The money from Coke is to fund educational materials about soft drinks for the academy's consumer health and wellness Web site, www.FamilyDoctor.org.

Academy CEO Dr. Douglas Henley said Wednesday that the money won't influence the group's public health messages, and that the company will have no control over editorial content. He said the new online information will include research linking soft drinks with obesity and will focus on sugar-free alternatives.

Nutritionists say soda side effects include increased risks of obesity, diabetes, heart attacks, gout and cavities. The Coke deal, they say, will put a cap on their efforts to get their message out in a credible way.

Coca-Cola spokeswoman Diana Garza Ciarlante said that kind of criticism "misses the point of the partnership, which is to provide education based on sound science."

Where there's fizz there's gas, and that's what a deal like this is passing on to the public.

We have nothing against Coke. It's an American classic. But we also know that too much of the real thing can't be real good.

Fortunately, there are doctors who aren't willing to pretend that you can belch out the message and expect anyone to buy it.

Except, that is, for the company that is footing the bill.

To see more of The Joplin Globe or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to
http://www.joplinglobe.com/. Copyright (c) 2009, The Joplin Globe, Mo.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email
tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax
to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave.,
Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.

For full details on Coca-Cola Co (KO) click here. Coca-Cola Co (KO) has Short Term PowerRatings of 5. Details on Coca-Cola Co (KO) Short Term PowerRatings is available at This Link.

More News: Market Updates | Stock Alerts | All Trading News | Stock Index

Archives

Feedback

Email Article Link

Close X

RELATED SITES

Please call 1-213-955-5858 ext. 1

Tax Relief Bank Levy Wage Garnishment

Disclaimer:

The Connors Group, Inc. ("Company") is not an investment advisory service, nor a registered investment advisor or broker-dealer and does not purport to tell or suggest which securities or currencies customers should buy or sell for themselves. The analysts and employees or affiliates of Company may hold positions in the stocks, currencies or industries discussed here. You understand and acknowledge that there is a very high degree of risk involved in trading securities and/or currencies. The Company, the authors, the publisher, and all affiliates of Company assume no responsibility or liability for your trading and investment results. Factual statements on the Company's website, or in its publications, are made as of the date stated and are subject to change without notice.

It should not be assumed that the methods, techniques, or indicators presented in these products will be profitable or that they will not result in losses. Past results of any individual trader or trading system published by Company are not indicative of future returns by that trader or system, and are not indicative of future returns which be realized by you. In addition, the indicators, strategies, columns, articles and all other features of Company's products (collectively, the "Information") are provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Examples presented on Company's website are for educational purposes only. Such set-ups are not solicitations of any order to buy or sell. Accordingly, you should not rely solely on the Information in making any investment. Rather, you should use the Information only as a starting point for doing additional independent research in order to allow you to form your own opinion regarding investments. You should always check with your licensed financial advisor and tax advisor to determine the suitability of any investment.

HYPOTHETICAL OR SIMULATED PERFORMANCE RESULTS HAVE CERTAIN INHERENT LIMITATIONS. UNLIKE AN ACTUAL PERFORMANCE RECORD, SIMULATED RESULTS DO NOT REPRESENT ACTUAL TRADING AND MAY NOT BE IMPACTED BY BROKERAGE AND OTHER SLIPPAGE FEES. ALSO, SINCE THE TRADES HAVE NOT ACTUALLY BEEN EXECUTED, THE RESULTS MAY HAVE UNDER- OR OVER-COMPENSATED FOR THE IMPACT, IF ANY, OF CERTAIN MARKET FACTORS, SUCH AS LACK OF LIQUIDITY. SIMULATED TRADING PROGRAMS IN GENERAL ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE DESIGNED WITH THE BENEFIT OF HINDSIGHT. NO REPRESENTATION IS BEING MADE THAT ANY ACCOUNT WILL OR IS LIKELY TO ACHIEVE PROFITS OR LOSSES SIMILAR TO THOSE SHOWN.

The Connors Group, Inc.
10 Exchange Place, Suite 1800
Jersey City, NJ 07302

All analyst commentary provided on TradingMarkets.com is provided for educational purposes only. The analysts and employees or affiliates of TradingMarkets.com may hold positions in the stocks or industries discussed here. This information is NOT a recommendation or solicitation to buy or sell any securities. Your use of this and all information contained on TradingMarkets.com is governed by the Terms and Conditions of Use. Please click the link to view those terms. Follow this link to read our Editorial Policy.