Comments on: Camp Baby Blogstorm

By: We don’t hate brands – we just love each other

We don’t hate brands – we just love each other — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 07:06:44 +0000

[...] full advantage of the tweeting and posting (and video spoofing) potential. In some cases (like Johnson & Johnson’s Camp Baby), the companies and their PR firms rose to the occasion, meaningful dialogue took place, and [...]

By: Hannah Smith

Hannah Smith — Thu, 08 May 2008 05:28:23 +0000

Excellent post. Although, while I realize that Johnson & Johnson definitely messed up, do you think there is anything the bloggers could have done differently. Doesn’t some blame fall on them for not accurately communicating their needs?

By: Suburban Turmoil

Suburban Turmoil — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 16:35:59 +0000

I too missed the firestorm until recently, but I was invited and couldn’t go because of my kids.

I did think it odd that:

1) Johnson and Johnson of all companies wouldn’t have some sort of childcare option, since this was CAMP BABY and I’m assuming that everyone invited has BABIES or small children.

2) J&J would have this event during the week. I could have gone on a weekend- My husband would have been happy to watch the kids- but on two weekdays? Totally impossible.

I wasn’t upset, of course, because it’s a free trip, J&J is a business, and its people can do what they want. It didn’t work for me, but obviously it did work for plenty of other women, because almost all my bloggy friends are there right now! *sniffle*

Nice to hear they’re being so responsive, though.

By: dorothy

dorothy — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 16:32:35 +0000

I’ve been under a rock we like to call “my job,” so I just heard about this. Susan, you nailed it right on the head. I completely agree with your assessment, and you do your entire industry a favor by posting it here. Well played. Let’s hope J&J will play theirs, well, too.

Although you did leave out the part about the retreat or whatever being the same weekend as BlogHer Business. I was invited to J&J but can’t go because !!! I’m a mom who is also a businesswoman.

Que horor? J&J? Am I still your audience? Of all the weekends to pick?

By: Liz

Liz — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:25:54 +0000

De-lurking to add that I am so glad to have met you and read your thoughts about inviting (and dis-inviting) bloggers to sponsored events.

I’ve been blogging for 5 years and – as pretty much a regular mom who just happens to enjoy writing, a lot – I’ve seen a lot of good (and bad) that’s been done in the blogging world.

Being invited to an event – like J&J – just doesn’t happen, every day.

Thankfully, we have professionals (like you) who know what they’re doing or, at least, are trying to help bloggers (like me) understand just how important their views and opinions really are.

Speaking as a person who’s screwed up – yes, plenty of times – I appreciate the fact that Lori has apologized and has you to help her make it right.

There, I’m done lurking now ;o)

By: TheMacMommy

TheMacMommy — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 21:23:24 +0000

I even have a breastfeeding badge on my blog so it would be really easy for someone to know my situation before inviting me if they had, as you suggest, done their homework. You’re spot on with this. I was recently contacted by and invited by Google to participate in something and the woman who contacted me did her homework, I could tell. She was very kind to ask me to let HER know what times were good for ME to talk on the phone. I liked that. I hope this debacle gets fixed. Nice post, thanks!

By: Lip-Sticking

Lip-Sticking — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 12:31:47 +0000

Link Love In Pink and Mauve for Easter

It’s Easter. I know few folks are actually online checking blogs (although Twitter is abuzz, as usual). But, I thought I’d share some link love, for folks who are cruising the net. First, you must check out this new site and its focus: Global Entrepren…

By: Shashi B

Shashi B — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 04:13:09 +0000

Did you know I took my 2.5 yr old son with me to SXSW? of course he didn’t walk the floors with me but he had an aunt to take care of him. The point I am making is that attending conferences sometimes takes a toll on the family’s routine. It will be nice for conference organizers to recognize this. Maybe the right way would have been to say, child care was your own responsibility.

By: Yvonne DiVita

Yvonne DiVita — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:00:19 +0000

Susan, I hope you will do that case study on this. It’s amazing to me that J&J so poorly executed this. It’s not even a blogger issue, it’s a “do we know our customers?” issue (as you rightly pointed out).

Moms are the key to almost everything. I always say ‘women’…but, I do like to point out that ALL women are moms of a sort. We have the nurture gene (not that men don’t) and we use it on relatives, friends, pets, etc. Businesses of all sort, not just those focused on kids and family should understand that it’s not good business to get on the bad side of Moms…

Great post!

By: Dana

Dana — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 14:40:47 +0000

“It’s understandable and entirely consistent with a “big brand” approach but not necessarily consistent with establishing long term relationships with bloggers. Or your customer.”

That said it all. Nice!