November 16, 2008 10 Comments

##Update!  As of about 9pm EST on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008, Motrin has taken down the Mom-alogues ad from the website (as well as the entire site, actually).  Some bloggers, including the Crunchy Domestic Goddess and Katja Presnal, have received email responses from the VP of Marketing for McNeil, Kathy Widmer: Motrin’s email response to the onslaught of complaints over babywearing ad | Motrin Heard the News##

Motrin has definitely struck a pinched nerve with baby-wearing moms all over the web, twitter and the blogosphere. 

Sure, parenthood isn’t the easiest job in the world, and we all might need a little relaxation and maybe a little something extra to alleviate aches and pains, but who are you trying to sell your meds to with this garbage?

Wearing your baby seems to be in fashion.

I mean, in theory it’s a great idea.

There’s the front baby carrier, sling, schwing, wrap, pouch.

And who knows what else they’ve come up with. Wear your baby on your side, your front, go hands free.

Supposedly, it’s a real bonding experience.

They say that babies carried close to the bod tend to cry less than others.

But what about me? Do moms that wear their babies cry more than those who don’t?

I sure do!

These things put a ton of strain on your back, your neck, your shoulders. Did I mention your back?!

I mean, I’ll put up with the pain because it’s a good kind of pain; it’s for my kid.

Plus, it totally makes me look like an official mom.

And so if I look tired and crazy, people will understand why.

Thanks to Barb for the transcription of the ad, which at this point is still running HERE.  It’s entitled the Motrin Mom-Alogue.  Beth over at Small Dots caught some screenshots of the ad here: Motrin Moms React

I’m sorry, but what’s with this official mom business?  I don’t think we run out and buy slings to look cool, we buy slings and carriers to stay close to our babies AND to make carrying them easier.

If you get a chance to actually listen to the ad, note the faux-mom’s patronizingly chipper voice as she passive-aggressively bashes baby-wearing positives with her *supposedly* and *in theory* comments.  Someone didn’t do their marketing homework.  Note: Mommies won’t buy your product if you irritate at least 50% of them with your silly, misguided ads.  If that Motrin ad irritated you in any way, please head over to Motrin.com and send an email telling them so!

Check out what other moms are saying out in the blogosphere:

http://ecochildsplay.com/2008/11/15/more-outrage-as-motrinmoms-reaches-2-on-twitter/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j47elDsoBvM

http://merrycricket.blogspot.com/2008/11/would-you-like-some-insult-with-your.html

http://instinctparenting.wordpress.com/2008/11/15/motrin-ad/

http://jeremyscorner-grifter.blogspot.com/2008/11/motrin-hates-babywearing.html

Whether you’re a baby-wearer or not, it’s safe to say that whoever put this ad campaign together used poor judgment.  What the hell would be the point of irritating potential consumers of your product, or making many of those in your target demographic feel uncomfortable?  Well, if Motrin’s plan was to get enough panties in a twist here in the blogosphere and on the web, they have succeeded.  Great job by the way, pissing baby-wearers off during International Baby Wearing Week.

Technorati Tags: Motrin, Mom-alogue, motrin ad angers moms, #motrinmoms, baby wearing, international baby wearing week

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