Kids are seeing fewer toy commercials than ever, but brands are still finding sneaky ways to advertise to them. According to an eMarketer report, 25% of households will drop traditional TV by 2022, creating a generation of children who are less exposed to commercials. But that doesn’t mean they’re not seeing toy advertising. Marketing products within shows themselves is common, with series like Paw Patrol being created in partnership with toy companies from the start. And of course YouTube’s toy review channels are essentially commercials disguise as content—and today’s parents have a harder time shielding their children from YouTube than traditional TV. (The Atlantic)
