I received the following e-mail from an associate of mine:
Until now, books have been a refuge from the advertising that is ubiquitous in children's lives. But that's about to change. In an unprecedented commercial intrusion, a soon-to-be published young adult book will include product placement. Cathy's Book: If Found Call (650) 266-8233 (Running Press) will incorporate Cover All makeup [bold mine] into its plot for promotional purposes.
When do the exploiters rest? The e-mail continues below the fold.
The last thing young girls need is a cosmetics ad disguised as a novel. Please urge Running Press to remove all product placement from Cathy's Book.
If we let this go unchallenged, books--like television, movies and videogames--will become major venues for marketing to children. And the quality of children's literature will be compromised.
(Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood [CCCF]) and the Association of Booksellers for Children (ABC) have launched a campaign to urge Running Press to remove all product placement from Cathy's Book. CCFC is leading a letter-writing campaign to Running Press while petitions urging Running Press to remove the product placement will be displayed at ABC member bookstores.
I know there is a lot going on right now, but these people are opening new fronts by the minute. Could you take a moment to tell them this is a very bad precedent.