I am posting this for Margot Mann, a colleague here in NY who is not yet on
Lactnet, but will be as soon as she can get her computer to cooperate.  Margot
writes:
"I have just noticed what appears to be a new advertisement in the New York
City subways.  It disturbed me deeply.  I copied down all of the text except a
line that assures Medicaid mothers that they were eligible at no extra cost.
 What follows is what I handed out to Chris Mulfor & Kay Hoover's "LC in
Private Practice" workshop over the weekend.
        I spoke to all those listed.  Alan Villas, the executive of Centercare
seemed to understand the problem and told me that they had already decided not
to repeat this ad.  I asked him to remove it, or at least the picture of the
bottle.  He replied that it would stay until the ad ran it's course which is
until the end of the summer!  That is a lot of advertising for ABM feeding.  I
am not on the Lactnet but hope you could share it there or anywhere else to
people who are willing tofight such promotion of formula to an uninformed
public.
        Thanks, in anticipation,
        Sincerely,
        Margot C. Mann, IBCLC

ADVERTISING ALERT!

Centercare has advertisements running in the New York subways designed to get
women to sign up for their health care coverage.  There are 2 large ads
advertising this.  One is in Spanish with text (which I can't evaluate because
I don't know Spanish) and the picture of a membership card.  Alongside it is
an English ad which I found offensive.  Nearly half of it was a picture of a
baby bottle lying on it's side with a drop of milk coming out of it.  THe text
read:  "Now that you're a mom...It's time to take the best care of your little
one and your family.  Centercare is here to help you.  There is only one mom
and no on can give as much love and protection to your children as you do.
There is only one Centercare and no other plan can take better care of your
health and your family's health...  Now that you're a mom, giving your
children the best chance for a long, healthy life is your responsibility.  So
choose Centercare."

This ad is to run until the end of the summer.  *We can make a difference.
Call or write and demand that the baby bottle ad be removed.*  It's presence
indicates that bottlefeeding is synonymous with good health and a long,
healthy life as well as responsible parenting!

Centercare:  1-800-545-0571
Marketing Secretary: Atricia
Executive:  Alan Avilas
The Advertising company:  Riverra Group (212) 481-8700"

Thanks, Lactnetters!
Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  NYC