VIRTUE AND HOT SAUCE

Oh boy. Despite the impending chaos of a hard Brexit, UK politicians still find time to debate the use of cartoon characters on cereal packaging. Sounds petty, but there is a serious issue at the heart of the debate - childhood obesity. Last year the NHS revealed that one in ten children were classified as obese before they started school. Tom Watson, deputy leader of the Labour party in the UK wants food companies to "remove brand-owned characters from packaging" or to exp...ect new laws forcing them to do so. Certainly, packaging designs have a huge influence on product sales and, by their very existence, they help to "shape our culture." How can they not? We are surrounded by branded packages all day, everyday. Children love cartoon characters so it's no surprise that brands employ them to appeal to our youngest and most impressionable minds. The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry recognizes that cartoons ( on television ) influence the behavior of children as young as one year old. So, what is the right thing to to do? and just as importantly, who should do it? Is it really the duty of governments to ban marketing to children? Are manufacturers obliged to change their beloved products to be more healthy and nutritious? Are creative agencies to be held accountable for irresponsible marketing? Or is it the sole responsibility of parents to edit what their children see and eat? We would like to hear your opinion. This discussion is not going to fizzle out ... or snap crackle and pop. RSVP at virtueandhotsauce.com My personal opinion: Children deserve good nutrition. Manufacturers need to care about children's nutrition as though each child is their own. Parental guidance - always. DON'T BLAME THE TOONS Love, Tony I mean, Simon Lince Founder, Creative Director at Virtue and Hot Sauce Images: Tony the Tiger as he appeared in 1952. Steve Hawkes' January 31st article. Today's more athletic version of Tony the Tiger by Leo Burnett, designed to target fathers.

Happy New Year!!!! Just in time - a new litter of chocolate poodles. A limited edition, freshly made for us by Li-Lac, Manhattan's oldest chocolate house. Message us for more information.

BLURRING THE LINES ( continued ) November 8th 2018 Last night we attended a preview of "Andy Warhol - From A to B and Back Again" at the Whitney. ... Like many others, I recognize Warhol as one of the great influencers of our time. His work inspired me to pursue a career in branding. From childhood ( when postcards of his work adorned my bedroom walls ) to art school, and throughout my career, Warhol's art has been by my side .... simultaneously nudging and comforting me. Warhol has forever blurred the lines between brands, art, news, politics, commerce, design, photography and illustration - a concept that makes total sense to me, now more than ever. I for one, enjoy living with brands, in all their many guises. Brands have a role to play in our rapidly shifting culture, that goes beyond providing products and services. Not only are they a reflection of our values and aspirations, they have an ability ( and obligation ) to inform, inspire and enhance our daily lives. Simon Lince virtueandhotsauce.com Images The many guises of Coke: Green Coca-Cola Bottles by Andy Warhol 1962 Coca-Cola truck on Broadway, NY, earlier today Coca-Cola bottle as seen at the Bronx Museum of the Arts 2017 Brillo and Campbell's by Andy Warhol Andy Warhol - From A to B and Back Again opens on November 12th at the Whitney Museum of American Art 99 Gansevoort Street, NYC

Check out the latest edition of Upstate Diary : ) Our Hudson home is featured on the cover. Thanks to Kate Orne and Zander Abranowicz.

These beauties are models of decanters designed by Laura Handler .... they appear to have a life of their own