Oh, c'mon! <rolling eyes> Target advertising

[Peppamint]

So I was checking out the 3 Minute Activist at promom.org and found out about a Target commercial that had a baby surrounded by cans of formula (I don't have cable so I haven't seen it). Anyway, I sent the 3 Minute Acitivist letter and received this response:

Dear Michelle,

Thank you for your comments regarding our recent advertising campaign. Bob
Ulrich, Chairman and CEO requested that I respond on his behalf.

We appreciate the time you have taken to share your thoughts and feelings.
Target advertising is by no means intended to influence a mother's choice
in the important decision of how to feed her baby. Target is dedicated to
providing our guests with choices of products across all categories of the
merchandise we sell. Every Target guest is veryimportant to us and I want
you to know that I will make your comments available to our advertising
executives. Blah, blah, blah

So I'm going to reply. Now if they don't want to influence a mother's decision on how to feed her baby, why doesn't that commercial also include a picture of a baby resting in a Boppy next to a box of nursing pads? :

When I need to shop at the big chains like Walmart, Kmart, Target... I usually go to Target if I can get to it (30 min) away because the selection is better.

If this is the way they advertise and they consider it neutral, I think I'll spend the few dollars I spend on stuff from Target elsewhere!

[Mama25]

"So I'm going to reply. Now if they don't want to influence a mother's decision on how to feed her baby, why doesn't that commercial also include a picture of a baby resting in a Boppy next to a box of nursing pads? :"


I love this! This is a good way to make a point. And I am sure the reason for not showing this is because these items are not big money making items for them like fake milk.

[bec]

I will say (not to defend formula marketing) that Target is one of the few places I can find Medela pump parts, cloth nursing pads, and the breastmilk storage bags I like. They also sell boppies and Lansinoh, so they have pretty good breastfeeding supplies selection. They should definitely advertise that more!


Bec

[3girlsmommy]

Not defending them 'cause that comercial makes me mad. But not only are they one of the few chain stores that carries a ton of breastfeeding supplies but their formula is in the pharmacy area not in the baby area next to the breastfeeding supplies like most other stores.

[Peppamint]

Yeah, Target was the only place within an hour that I could find Avent supplies when I was a pumping while at work mom when dd was a babe. And they're the only place I can find Boppy pillows too.

I was just so ticked off at that girl's response about not influencing a mother's decision... um, then why isn't your bf'ing/pumping supplies marketed as well? (oh, that's right- formula makes a bunch more money than a boppy, breastpump and a couple bottles)

[kimberlylibby]

I love your idea though! Definitely a good way to approach it!

And how about you suggest they come out with some nursing clothes that are cute Then they could have a whole line of bf'ing ads to market their new bf-friendly clothes

Kimberly

[Peppamint]

Originally Posted by kimberlylibby

I love your idea though! Definitely a good way to approach it!

And how about you suggest they come out with some nursing clothes that are cute Then they could have a whole line of bf'ing ads to market their new bf-friendly clothes

Kimberly

[soccerchic21]

I did that same 3 minute activist months ago and I got the same letter back from target.

However, I did not know that they had all of that good breastfeeding stuff! And I never noticed about the formula not being with the baby stuff. That is cool.