Mommy Bloggers Dominate Adertising Talk

The mommy bloggers of the world are making some big waves. Especially when it comes to the advertising industry. Advertising Age, a leading advertising magazine, recently ran several different articles pertaining to the mommy blogger movement.

Some of the topics they covered include that U.K Politicians are courting mommy bloggers,
- and that you shouldn't hate mommy bloggers for their swag. They have quite a few articles on the topic available on their site. They are clearly interested in schooling the advertising field about the mommy blogger movement.

One of the most interesting pieces they discussed is "Mommy Bloggers Launch Content Integrity Organization." How rich, the moms are all going to cross their hearts and swear to be be honest in their blogging. The penalty from the group if you are caught taking money or goods for favorable reviews and not disclosing it? Well, they haven't figured that out yet.

Perhaps some of the big corporations that they get things from can help them come up with the perfect penalty.

Oh, the Irony!

I have been blogging here about new media moms and how these mommy bloggers are getting freebies and being wined and dined. Meanwhile, I do have another personal blog that covers a different topic. I have now become a mommy blogger who got something in the mail for free!

How ironic, isn't it? My other blog focuses on vegetarianism. This week I got a new vegan cookbook, titled "The Conscious Cook: Delicious Meatless Recipes that Will Change the Way you Eat" in the mail from the book's publisher. They are hoping that I will take the time to review the book on my blog.

First, I was quite surprised to get the cookbook in the mail. But I'm also pleased. I am a huge vegan cookbook fan and this one is not only a $30 hardback book, but just flipping through the pages it is beautiful and filled with full color images of the food.

Let me assure you, however, that in doing a review for this book I will be disclosing that it was given to me to be reviewed. I will also give it an honest review, not just a glossed over "it's great" because I got it for free. I'm looking forward to writing the review and keeping within what I believe to are good guidelines for doing so.

Mommy Bloggers Get Book Deal?

Is there no end to what mommy bloggers will be able to obtain due to their marketing power online? It sure leaves one to wonder!

While some have received free books, snacks, trips, and more, now there is one that may even top those "gifts." Popular mommy blogger Beth Feldman, of RoleMommy.com, now has a new book that just came out. The humor book is about parenting, titled "See Mom Run: Sidesplitting Essays by the World's Most Harried
Moms."

There is no doubt that being a popular mommy blogger helped this mom to get a book writing contract. But it doesn't stop there. She's now going out on tour to promote the book. However, the book is not the only thing she will be promoting.

The cross-country book tour is being presented by Procter & Gamble's Swiffer® WetJet®. And, not surprisingly, people who attend the book signings will have a chance to check out the Swiffer product and win some prize packs.

Is this a mom who really has something to share in a book and deserved a book contract? Or is it a mommy blogger that is being used to push a product and get an all-expenses paid tour of the country? You decide!

Mommy Bloggers Impact Toy Purchases

What has been tapped to be one of the hottest toys this Christmas season are Zhu Zhu Pets. They are small, inexpensive, electronic animal pets, that can move around and make noises. The toy debuted in select cities in the market this past spring.

So how did this small toy climb the ladder to sales success so quickly? After all, the toys do not have a television show to give it a jump start. And the company didn't spend lots of money directly on advertising to the masses. No, the company who puts out Zhu Zhu Pets went straight to who they thought would be a powerful force in getting the toy moving: mommy bloggers.

The company held 250 "hamster parties" to get moms and kids interested in the toy. They did this by sending out the pets to hand-picked mommy bloggers across the country. The mommy bloggers then held hamster parties, where they each invited 10 children, and they spent the time playing with the new toy. No doubt that the moms also likely blogged about the pets and parties.

When it comes to whether or not partnering with the bloggers has been successful, the company stated in a Time article: "The approval of the bloggers was a huge legitimizer, believe me."

This is another case that demonstrates the power that these mommy bloggers have. This year there is a good chance they are the driving force behind what is being predicted to be "...the biggest toy craze since Tickle Me Elmo was on shelves in 1996."

But again it makes one wonder if what they are doing is ethical and if they are simply being blindly used by corporations. In this case, for a $10 pet toy.

Company Holds Brunch for Mommy Bloggers

Marketing companies around the country are beginning to see the importance and value in mommy bloggers, as I've been demonstrating through my posts each week. Some, however, are taking it up a notch! Rather than surf the Web looking for a mommy blogger that might fit the bill of what they are trying to market, and then sending things to them for free, they are now reeling them in.

This week a communications company that specializes in reaching moms, Child's Play Communications, held a special mommy blogger brunch. A panel of mommy bloggers sat on the panel of the annual Bloggers Brunch, sharing their thoughts on the best way for companies to reach moms through social media.

There is no doubt that these mommy bloggers feel quite important. They are being flown around the country, invited to speak at events, and given a barrage of free goods. But what I wonder is if they feel used by these consumerist companies that likely do not care about them personally, because all they see is the potential sales these women may lead to.

There is no doubt that these moms are likely having fun. But at what and who's expense? Who benefits? And is pushing more sugary snacks on American's children (who are already battling obesity and diabetes) worth what the big corporations are giving them?

Here's a video clip from this year's Bloggers Brunch: