The head of Sony Pictures thinks the battle against childhood obesity can start at the movie snack counter.
Sony Pictures Entertainment Chairman and CEO Michael Lynton told the crowd at ShoWest this week that “adding healthier options to your existing menu is the right thing to do for our industry, for audiences and for our country,” according to a just-released press announcement.
What, no more Gummi Bears stuck to our teeth mid-movie?
Lynton cited a study commissioned by Sony Pictures which revealed, among other findings:
- two-thirds of moviegoers and three-quarters of parents are more likely to buy healthy snacks at theaters if they are offered.
- Forty-two percent of parents said they would buy concessions more often if healthy options were available
- sixty percent of parents said having healthier snacks in theaters would enhance their overall movie-going experience.Lynton said he was not asking theaters to stop selling popcorn, soda and candy.
Lynton doesn’t want theaters to stop selling the sticky, the sweet and the other goodies which rot the teeth. He just wants healthier options from which to choose.
Great. But I suspect the public won’t buy it – no matter how they respond to a survey.
I drive to McDonald’s once a week for a completely unhealthy meal. I know it’s bad for me, but since it’s only one lunch out of seven each week I don’t give myself grief.
Movie goers are similarly programmed. They likely go to the theater once a week – at best – and have no qualms quaffing down a soda and popcorn double feature.
So, give Sony credit for attempting to make the country healthier. Just remember this announcement when theaters start yanking granola bars and rice cakes from their counters for lack of sales.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
As long as the “healthy snacks” cost 4 times what they would at the local store I’m sure the theaters won’t mind.
Maybe they can make this the “message” of some of their movies.
The entire country needs an overhaul — healthy foods need to be much more accesible for all. If the junk is easy and cheap, that’s what we’ll eat!
Hey Sony, you know what else keeps our kids unhealthy? Sitting on their butts and watching movies instead of going outside and getting some excersise.
So cool it with the “healthy choice” talk. When I go to the movie theatre everyone is getting over priced popcorn, soda and other various snacks. There’s probably a few “yuppie” types standing in the line that sells fruits and various snack mixes. You can always get bottled water and fruit, no waiting at all.
Theatre’s are always complaining about losing money so why add a “choice” that the majority of the people do not want? How’s about you guys work on stuff like making sure people are not talking on their cell phones during the movie. Or maybe having one theatre just for parents and their 3 month old baby. Or some type of cattle prod for the jerk who sits behind me and kicks my chair.
Stop the madness.
I always sneak in a bottle of water anyway. Even then its just to wet my whistle, with the marathon length movie times of 3+ hours, I don’t want to drink to much, then I would loose out on the $10 I paid for a ticket because of a bathroom break. And even the healthy food choices would have ridiculous prices that I would refuse to pay. I would be up for donating a dollar or two to a theater sponsored charity, if it would allow me to bring in my own food.