Blogger Buzz Hits the Mainstream

As brand leaders and marketing executives, we have been following the FTC/blogger topics for quite sometime (even covered it with our Mommy Bloggers on E-ssentials), but now the mainstream media has taken hold of the story—especially as it relates to Mommy Bloggers—and the buzz is now hitting consumers. Last week during a casual neighborhood dinner party, two of my mom friends started talking about a story that appeared on "Good Morning America" regarding Mommy Bloggers. They were concerned that some of the blogs they depend on for guidance and reviews may actually be endorsing products just because they are getting them for free. I always know we are on to a hot-button topic when the neighborhood moms start talking about it over dinner!

Is the brand/Mommy Blogger relationship in jeopardy? Most experts agree the answer is undoubtedly ‘no.’ “We receive calls daily about brands wanting to jump in or do more with bloggers,” says Laura Tomasetti, managing director, 360 Public Relations. “The good news is blogs have been acknowledged as a legitimate part of the mom media mix.  But it’s important to look at blogs individually and not as one big mom blog bucket,” Laura, who will be leading a pre-conference workshop on building your brand with mom blogs during this year’s M2Moms®-The Marketing To Moms Conference, adds, “Content and authenticity are key – determining how – and if – a brand can be a true resource to a blogger who’s passionate about cooking, electronics, learning or play time, for example.  As with traditional media, there is room for both earned editorial and a paid strategy.  Of course anything paid needs to be presented as such, and there are many blogs and blog networks doing a good job of separating editorial and promotions.”

Did you miss some of the big Mommy Blogger stories that hit the mainstream media last week? Here is a list of some of the top stories from last week (a special thank you to marketing-to-mom blogger Kim Moldofsky for passing many of these along:

Part-time dot-com mom earning more by blogging
Chicago Sun-Times, July 11, 2009

Mom bloggers become powerful online force
Statesman.com, July 12, 2009

Mommy Blogs Becoming Money Makers
Good Morning America, July 12, 2009

Approval by a Blogger May Please a Sponsor
The New York Times, July 12, 2009

Do mommy bloggers need to grow up?
CNET.com, July 14, 2009

Trusted Mom or Sellout?
Newsweek, July 15, 2009

Mommy blogger brouhaha is the new Mary Kay
Daily Finance, July 16, 2009

Did we miss any? Email Patti Minglin and we will be sure to add the article/headline/spot to our list. Thanks!