Bite me, I think
Is it just me, or has Ideal Bite gotten more ideal?
Yes, I run an ad for them — but as longer-time readers know, I critiqued this e-newssource for featuring a less-than-deserving Starbucks as a “Green Chip Company Showcase” in March.
Despite a comment here “threatening”(?) to do a feature on McDonald’s, Ideal Bite has — since the Starbucks snafu — actually started featuring greener companies: The fair trade Dagoba Chocolates, the organic, recycling-friendly, carbon-offsetting Stonyfield Farm, and the enviro-friendly Terrapass.
I hope this post doesn’t end up inciting an actual Ideal Bite post about McDonald’s. Please — Big Mac’s are a real stretch to defend.
Less relatedly — I get the sense I’m like the worst advertisee ever. Then again, maybe it’s a sign of my freedom — I’m more than okay with calling my advertisers on their missteps, and my advertisers are apparently okay with my doing so.
Does that count as truth in advertising?
I still get their tips in my mailbox, but they’re a little bit too giggly and peppy for my liking.
Comment by Jasmin — May 18, 2006 @ 9:22 am
I get their tips too, but every so often they do some hippy-bashing about some of their best tips (a recent suggestion to catch running - and wasted - water while your shower is heating up was prefaced with their thoughts that it was too “yurts and birks” for them to try) which I find extremely irritating. (I’ve been doing the water thing for the last few days, and have been saving GALLONS - and it’s really easy.)
Actually, I’m thinking of blogging about the whole hip vs. hippy thing. I’m not particularly hip or hippy, but I get annoyed by all the stereotypes being used in green marketing.
But, re: Ideal Bite specifically - I’ve been waiting for that Micky D’s green chip “e-ovation” too, Siel! And after reading more about rainforest destruction lately, I was REALLY wondering how they were going to justify that one!
Re: advertising. I think it is difficult for publications to stand strong in the face of advertising pressure on editorial content - which is why many publications opt to forgo ads and depend on subscribers, donations, etc. But, for news sources to be truly credible they have to resist advertiser influence over their content.
I think the appeal of your blog is that your content does seem very honest and authentic, based on your beliefs and research, and you’re not afraid to criticize big corps, advertisers, etc.
Comment by Melissa — May 18, 2006 @ 5:10 pm
Yeah, Melissa, that bugged me bigtime too–it was too “*hee hee hee* you should do this but *hee hee hee* we’re not going to but *hee hee hee* we TOTALLY support you.”
Comment by Jasmin — May 19, 2006 @ 8:09 am
Thanks for the props, Melissa :)
I may have to start a lil garden and do the gray water thing too. There’s actually a lil outside balcony area in my new apt. where I could plant stuff — Will see what sprouts once I get back home (I’m still in AZ right now).
Comment by Siel — May 20, 2006 @ 10:54 pm