Corporations in the Classroom

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Lethbridge, AB
Tuesday September 25, 2007
Screening begins 19h00
Venue: Galileo's Gallery, Students' Union Building level 2

Canada/2007/54min

CORPORATIONS IN THE CLASSROOM

Director Jill Sharpe’s latest documentary reveals that our children are no longer safe from advertising even when at school. Because funding for education is falling short, teachers and administrators are struggling to keep the gates closed to marketing companies. It’s called Trojan horse marketing and it works like a charm in creating life-long brand name consumers not life-long learners.

Marketing to school age students is now a 2 billion dollar industry. The way corporate sponsors are stepping up to the plate, offering promotions, sponsorships and even free curriculum there is no stopping the flow of advertising in covert forms. Or is there?

The problem is there are few or no regulations in place to protect our children from corporate marketing campaigns that look just like classroom lessons. And schools need playgrounds and gym equipment that taxes do not seem to pay for any longer. Enter new corporate champions.

First come sponsorships, then come naming rights and next come learning materials in the classrooms! Watch as donations become classroom resources and product placement opportunities. The good news is some school districts are fighting back and succeeding in keeping the classrooms a safe haven from the marketing hype.

About the Director:
Since the early 1990’s director Jill Sharpe has created an award winning body of work in the documentary genre which has been presented internationally at film festivals and along broadcast airwaves in over 20 countries. Highlighted in Queue Magazine as one of the Top 21 Artists for the Twenty First Century who could change the face of BC culture, Sharpe’s interests span the issues of social justice, media and culture.

Director > Jill Sharpe
Editor > Bonni Devlin
Director of Photography > Kirk Tougas
Music > Doug Blackley
Sound Designer > Gash Ariana
Executive Story Consultant > Robert Duncan
Narrated by Lesley Ewen
Produced by Lynn Booth
Co-Producer > Jude MacInnes
Associate Producer > Lindsay Williams

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