There's a Balance Between Marketers and Moms

I noticed there was recently (or maybe has yet to be) a conference called Mom 2.0 that focuses primarily on marketing to mothers.  Marketers take a lot of heat (I'm thinking of Motrin here) when they focus a message on moms without really consulting any.  They also take heat for appearing too eager to implement marketing structure for moms (J&J, anyone?).

I have to admit I feel for the marketers. I started out in public relations and advertising. It's a tough row to hoe.  So when I find someone who's giving it an honest shot with good intentions and savvy, I'm totally willing to shill. 

Which is why I became a Graco Ambassador. 

I know, I know, it sounds a little cheesy.  But let me tell you about the people behind the brand. As you probably recall, Graco sponsored some dinners in connection with the Sleep Is for the Weak book tour (speaking of shilling, it makes a great, um, stocking stuffer, if you know what I mean).  I got to know Lindsay and Erin and Paull over food and wine, which is really the best way to get to know anyone, in my book. So when my pregnant co-worker complained she was having trouble finding a place in Kansas City that sold a particular Graco carseat, I e-mailed Lindsay and asked if she knew of another retail outlet that carried the brand, thinking she might have a secret spreadsheet or something.

Lindsay called three stores, unbeknownst to us, and sent back an e-mail with an address, store hours and a promise there was a Rittenhouse there with my friend's name on it.  Is that cool? Yes. I think that is pretty cool.

So ... my point here is that marketers are people, too. Often they're moms, as in Lindsay's case.  So yeah, if I think they're doing a good job, I'm on board with rewarding it with praise, with links, with anything I can do to help.  There are plenty of brands out there being run by people with only profit motives.  Graco is out there twittering carseat safety tips and trying to reach moms in their social media houses.  I know from working in corporate America that these strategies are not so easy to sell to the folks on the top floor. It takes some cutting-edge confidence to sell in those tactics.  So if you see someone doing it well, do take time out to comment. 

And, if you join the Graco Ready.Safe.Go car seat club, they will donate one car seat for every 10 people who sign up to a worthy cause.   I think that rocks. Go, marketers doing the right thing.  Go, Graco.