Update: Motrin Ad

Hooray! We did it mums! This is what the front of the Motrin website looks like now:


They have removed an unfortunate ad that offends both babywearers (implying that this is a painful fad) and non-babywearers (implying that only "real moms" wear their child), alike.

Congrats to all the outspoken mamas out there!

Motrin Ad

I just found out that the link to the motrin ad website does not work. I can only hope this means they are taking it down. But here it is from youtube for all y'all who are curious as to why I'm upset about this commercial:



And the transcript (Thanks Barb!)

"In case they pull the ad from their front page by the time you’re reading this (I sure hope they trash the entire campaign, and fast), I’m quoting the little video on their website front page, which they call a “Mom-versation“. The phrases in bold are my emphasis, though they have even better emphasis in the graphics in their ad.

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."

All I can say is, if you have that much pain, then you're not doing it right. Totally.

Sadness and Anger

Sadness:
I can't find my camera charger!! Therefore I cannot use my camera or post any pics- :(
There is no sun here- it's been dark for days... but the snow is very pretty :)
My hormones are all out of wack.

Anger:
Motrin has a new ad campaign bashing baby wearing mums. See it here: http://motrin.com/
This is the response I sent to their marketing director:

"To Whom it May Concern,

Your current "Momologue" campaign is, in many ways, extremely offensive! The idea that babywearing causes great strain and pain to the wearer is blatant misinformation. Babywearing, when done correctly, is far more comfortable than any other means of holding your baby. Take it from a mother of a five month old boy, who wears her son up to six hours at a time and feels FAR less discomfort or pain at the end of the day than when trying to manage caring for him and housework without a sling.

Please, also consider, that suggesting that merely wearing you baby makes you "look like an official mom", sounds more like it is a fashion trend than the centuries old bonding and productivity ideal that it actually is. If you would like to attract frazzled, harried, and exhausted mothers to use your product, perhaps a more heartfelt campaign about the actual trials of motherhood would be more effective. Please, consider your audience! We babywearing mothers are FAR more grateful for our slings and pouches that we are for those little bottles of pills!

I ask that you please remove this offensive and misleading ad campaign from your website and all other marketing outlets.

Sincerely,
Amber Beyke