Children targets of $1.6 billion in food ads.

FTC advises that popular characters be tied to healthful products.

The commission studied spending directed at children ages 2-17. Spending on soda marketing came to $492 million, with the vast majority of that spending directed toward adolescents. For cereals, companies spent about $237 million, with the vast majority of that targeted to children under age 12.

We've learned how marketing strategy places featured products at eye level and in certain grocery store aisles, and the sugary kid's cereals on lower shelves where they are most likely to see them. Just as there was pressure on the tobacco industry to stop advertising cigarettes on TV (remember the old Marlboro commercials?), the FTC would rather advertising promote healthier food choices.

I remember wanting a particular cereal as a kid just because it made a crackling noise, according to the commercial. It held true to the promise, and it was a lot healthier choice that the sugar-laden cereals that were also popular back in the day.

Did you have certain foods you wanted because of the ads? Do your children try to sway your buying decisions?