Image by aldoaldoz on flickr
I bet the marketing department over at Motrin is using quite a bit of their own product right now.
Over the weekend, Motrin released an ad on their website targeted at moms who carry their babies in a sling or similar device, and may need back pain relief. To Motrin’s surprise, the ad generated quite a bit of furious backlash.
The NY Times Magazine put up a transcript of the voiceover:
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 body 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.
As the article goes on to point out, this infuriated a ton of mothers. Motrin apologized and has since removed the ad from their website.
What I find hilarious, in a Motrin-didn’t-know-what-hit-them kind of way, is how quickly this issue spread– not by standard word of mouth or phone calls, but by Twitter, YouTube, and blogs.
Seriously, Toto? This isn’t the Kansas PTA phone tree anymore.
Do you use Twitter, too?
