Above is a snapshot we took of Channelone.com’s homepage on July 21, 2008.
The banner ad at the top and the ad to the right are ads for two different PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.
Pitching prescription drugs to teens and preteens marks a new and potentially dangerous turn for Channel One News.
Although Channel One has advertised numerous products like Clearasil, Proactiv, Clean & Clear, Oxy Balance, and Neutrogena products, they had always abided by their own prohibition on prescription drug ads.
From Channel One’s Terms and Conditions:
The two prescription drugs currently being advertised by Channel One are Differin (adapalene 0.3% gel) the ad on top, and BenzaClin (clindamycin1%- benzoyl peroxide 5% gel) .
It seems the new regime at Channel One, headed by Matt Diamond, Kent Haehl and Dr. Paul Folkemer are accepting advertisers Channel One would never have accepted before. The company remains in a financial crisis and obviously ad revenue is THE most important thing for these executives.
That Channel One is advertising prescription drugs to kids is not totally surprising. We saw it coming.
In 2004, Obligation complained about Channel One recklessly advertising Zapzyt, a very powerful over-the-counter medicine on its TV show. Channel One refused to respond to our concerns. Obligation sent a copy of Channel One’s commercial to the Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU) which is part of the Council of Better Business Bureaus. CARU sided with us and the makers of Zapzyt stopped advertising on Channel One. (CARU can only deal with the advertiser and not the advertising medium – Channel One.)
In 2005, Channel One advertised "Nature’s Cure" as a CURE for acne. This was an outrageous claim. It also marked the first time that Channel One News advertised PILLS to teens and preteens. No prescription was needed for these pills, but the FDA considered them a "drug."
We asked Channel One to remove these deceptive "Nature’s Cure" ads from their web site and from their in-school TV show. They refused. We again brought it to the attention of the ad industry and the manufacturer pulled the ads.
This week, Obligation sent an email to Dr. Folkemer urging him to remove these prescription drug ads. He has not replied.
