Results tagged “ad” from iVillage - Beehive

Note to marketing departments: Do not make moms angry. You won't like them when they're angry. Once again proving true the old adage: "If Mama's not happy, nobody's happy," a new Motrin ad that pokes a little fun at frazzled moms and the practice of babywearing created a firestorm of controversy this weekend. Mothers across the Internet, especially those who are advocates of attachment parenting, reacted and spread the word about the ad, which many felt was insulting and sent the wrong message, resulting in Johnson & Johnson (the parent company of the unit that produces Motrin) removing the ad from its website and responding to those who complained. Of course, the mommy bloggers and Twitterers were not the only ones sounding off about this ad campaign. iVillage moms all across our playgroups and message boards had a lot to say about this take on motherhood:

"I get that they're trying to be funny, but it's not. It's insulting and demeaning. And that is what irritates me. Even if I had never practiced attachment parenting (to the degree that I do), it would insult me as a mother. I mean, do they think women in babywearing cultures have stacks of Motrin lying around? " -- peechikeen

"I am a babywearer (sometimes), I understand it, I advocate it, and am all for it.

What is the big deal? Personally I thought it was funny. Babywearing can hurt your back, neck, shoulders or wherever.

Sure, a couple of the comments made in the commercial were a tad over the edge, but it is just a commercial, meant for entertainment, meant to sell Motrin to busy moms as a way to help with the everyday pains that are associated." -- toekin

"I don't see the big deal. I know when I carried my kids in a sling, I would tend to get aches in my shoulder. It's not like the commercial is staying to STOP wearing your baby, it's telling you that they are there to help the aches and pains that some moms may get while wearing the baby." -- mom_alycemae

"I think it's the implication that all moms who wear their babies go through pain to do it or are trying to be a part of some 'official moms club'. Implying something negative about babywearing that may or may not be true is not really cool. It definitely makes it seem as though it is always going to be painful to wear your baby." -- white.wave7

"It just seems to me that people have lost their sense of humor and take every little thing so personally these days. I mean... it's a COMMERCIAL for Pete's sake!" -- my_sweet_perm

"It had a really negative tone about babywearing. To be honest, I am standing here typing with Lucas in a Hotsling and it is bothering my shoulder - but Motrin is the last thing I would take. I think the majority of babywearing mamas will be offended and hopefully won't buy their product." -- jenmom2006

"Love the side blurb about walking all day in high heels. How insulting. Not to mention totally misleading as any good carrier actually helps to make babycarrying MORE comfortable. I'm also glad MOTRIN thinks moms look tired and crazy all the time..." -- twobabies24

"That actually made me physically ill to watch. The reason why we wear our babies is because it's in fashion! Seriously???? We do it for the 'Mom Badge'? Are you kidding me??? We do it because we feel it is the absolute best choice for our babies and we LOVE our babies." -- olicam1205

"Ugh, just another company portraying the wrong message to mothers. It's no wonder so many new mothers feel such pressure to conform to today's 'ideals' of parenting. To actually undermine a mother's choice to carry her baby by saying it is 'in fashion' in such a derogatory way is just beyond a joke." -- jonesmum

What do you think? Was this ad all in good fun, or did it demean moms who are making personal choices about their parenting styles each day? Did it deserve all of the hullabaloo, or do we need to lighten up? Let me know what you think about this debate (if you missed it, you can still find the ad below) and what you'd like to tell companies about marketing to moms.

Senator Barack Obama's much-anticipated "infomercial" debuted in primetime on Wednesday night and of course the iVillage community had their two cents ready to toss into the mix. Was it everything they expected or was it just pre-empting their favorite shows? Did Ron Popeil show up with a food dehydrator as part of the economics plan? We turn to our ever-faithful Politics Today community for a temperature check:

"I did watch it and IMHO it was depressing. I just felt bad for the families he had on that were struggling with job loss, groceries, just getting by day by day. It was done by Davis Guggenheim who did Al Gore's 'An Inconvenient Truth'. I think that it goes back to the message that 'it's not about me, it's about you'. It was very moving. I don't think it will change anyone's views though." -- strawberrymom22

"I thought it was good. I was already voting for Obama, so it doesn't change anything for me, but it did confirm for my why I think he is the best candidate." -- janetheteacher

"A waste of millions and millions of dollars that could have gone to help those poor people instead of making spectacles of them." -- mileaimn

"It was very hopeful, and he looked presidential. It won't convince Republicans to vote for him, but it will solidify his Democratic supporters and might convince some undecideds that he isn't a nasty commie terrorist sympathizer."  -- sopall1953

Too Flashy or Just Right?

Some were discussing the presentation from the standpoint of whether it was really a waste of time and/or money to shell out millions for the primetime slots less than a week before Election Day: 

"I think it's a little over the top, too much money and arrogant." -- britt1283

"I don't see a problem with it. It's something that both candidates are within their right to do. They want to win votes, and this is a fair way to do it. It's a lot of money to spend, but Obama's campaign raised that money - millions of people contributed to it so that they could do whatever they needed to do to get votes." -- solush80

"I watched part of the infomercial and I thought it seemed well done. Frankly, I don't know 'why' Obama did it. He is far ahead in the polls. If I were him, I would not be doing ANYTHING right now to potentially jeopardize my spot in the polls. Although, after watching part of it, I don't think it's really going to move him back or forward in the polls" -- loriannedz

"It is his prerogative to do this. Ross Perot did a similar presentation. Whether this will help his showing next Tuesday is a matter to be seen."  -- sopall1953

"By this time in the election, most minds are made up... I personally think it is a big waste of money. Those who are interested have watched the debates, have seen way too many commercials, interviews and newscasts... even IF I was a supporter I cannot imagine why I would watch." -- susandimi

Like "silky water" and Britney Spears

Possibly the most poetic review of the ad came to us in the following quote: 

"Wouldn't have missed it for anything. It flowed like silky water, and he was able to reiterate his plans and have it written down at the bottom as he said them, which I liked." -- whatever-girl

But on the other side of the fence, some are feeling like Obama is too much of a pop icon and not providing enough substance:

 "Well I guess if Britney Spears can be a pop star, Obama can be President. They both do well on camera, right?" -- puppy-mom

"I was watching while watching and chatting with my liberal sister. I asked her if she got the feeling that at any moment the screen was going to flash "\'and for only 29.99 if you call in the next 10 minutes'."  -- mr_work

Harsh! But also very funny. I know I can always count on the iVillage community to really call it like they see it.

What did you think? Did you watch and did it change your mind or just reiterate what you already knew? Is there anyone out there left sitting on the fence still? Share your take on the Obama commercial, the McCain follow-up statement and what's going on in your minds these last few days before the election.