Yesterday, the world was introduced to a full-page color ad of "Nanny Bloomberg", a response to Mayor Bloomberg's proposed ban on sodas and other sugary drinks over 16 ounces in certain venues. While the mayor's office wasn't amused, the group that placed the ad says people are enjoying it!
Mayoral spokesman Marc LaVorgna told the Post, "It says an awful lot about the state of the soda industry that a tobacco company front group is attacking Mike Bloomberg on their behalf. This is the same organization that was founded to oppose bans of smoking in restaurants and bars." Yes—the Center of Consumer Freedom got its start with money from Philip Morris, but come on, if people want to buy cigarettes...
According to the Post, "In the past, the group has received money from Coca-Cola and Wendy’s, according to published reports." Executive director Richard Berman (who critics call an "influence peddler" and "Dr. Evil") says, "We get a lot of our support from a variety of industries — restaurants are our biggest, historically... The ad is typical of what we do, which is to point out hypocrisy, or overreaching and junk science... [The "soda ban"] seemed to be the ultimate nanny move." As for the Photoshop, "People appreciate the humor, and it’s properly targeted."
Update: The NY Times' Kate Taylor asked Mayor Bloomberg about the ad; he said, "Would I wear a dress like that? No! It was one of the more unflattering dresses." TRUTH!
