Formula for Disaster?

by Mom101 on 08.14.07
in Uncategorized

Dear Daily Candy,

I used to be your biggest fan. Numero uno. I was all set to tattoo I [heart] DC on my ass until I realized that people would think I [heart]-ed Washington DC, which I do to some degree, but not so much that I need to express it with any degree of pain to my person.

I once loved your kid’s edition daily emails which waved unattainably cool stuff in my face. Like family vacations at $1500/night resorts. Or the season’s must-have toddler sneakers that could only be purchased in Tokyo on Tuesdays.

Each morning I opened, I clicked, I dreamed.

But they you went and got big. Bigger than big. Suddenly the huge advertisers were knocking at your door which, well, totally understandable. So you pitched me products like minivans and fast food and floor cleaners. I stuck by you. A company’s gotta make a buck. Still, it’s not like you would recommend something you didn’t actually believe in, right? Even if you were paid to do so?

Then one day you sent me a dedicated email recommending that I shop for kids’ back-to-school clothes at Wal-Mart [this message paid for and brought to you by Wal-Mart]. You actually suggested my daughter parade around the playground in her Dora the Explorer merchandise from the chain. “No, it’s cool everyone. Settle down. This was actually Daily Candy’s idea.“

I think they call that jumping the shark. Not devastating; just uncomfortable.

But today…

Today.

Sigh.

I don’t tend to get political about this boob or not boob debate. My kids have been fed breast milk. My kids have been fed formula. Neither has killed them yet.

But this month, August, is World Breastfeeding Month. And I respect that.

So maybe today’s email promoting Nestlé Baby Formula? Not a smart idea.

Not a smart idea at all.

Sincerely,
Mom101

{39 Comments}

39 thoughts on “Formula for Disaster?”

  3. I KNOW!!!! Oh, I L-O-V-E-D Daily Candy. In fact, when they announced the Boston edition last year, I was so excited. Then I thought it was me, feeling like many of the messages were off-target. Maybe it’s because I’m now a mom and don’t drop $300 on a shopping spree (unless it’s Target or Home Depot)? Or go out to eat every weekend anymore (unless there are high chairs)? But when the WalMart emails came, I guess aimed at the mom me, I was all “wha?” This is supposed to be about style?This latest is just stooopid. Now I worked in PR for years and know how marketing people want to push their “messages”, but I shut down the second I realize something is just an uninspired regurgitation of a press release. Especially from Daily Candy. Sadly, I delete most of the emails without even opening. (Now I turn to the ladies at Cool Mom Picks…)

  8. Yeah…perfectly articulated…DC is getting too commercial (so is the other DC).

  9. NO. WAY.I adored Daily Candy. I think I was one of their first 500 subscribers. They guided me to my very first sample sale.And now this. WAL-MART.I feel sick.

  19. Nestle formula? Paid for by Wal-Mart? I’m sure they’ll lose a bunch of people if they keep that up.**This post was sponsered by Starbucks….as that’s what I happen to be drinking.

  20. Hang on, what’s the issue here: that they contradicted themselves on the breastfeeding/baby formula or is it about Nestle’s slave labor practices?

  21. Jenny, I’m going to say that of all the things to email moms about during World Breastfeeding Month, when there’s heightened awareness about it all over the web in particular, formula might not have been the best one. Then of all the formulas to promote, Nestle might not have been the best one either considering the decades long boycott of their formula marketing practices in developing countries.Slave labor – there’s a new one for me. Enlighten us!

  22. Man, and right after New York City passed a law banning city hospitals from giving free formula samples out with the other corporate goodies they load new moms down with. (Although moms in the know can still request the samples.) The ban is to encourage breastfeeding, as it seems that one free sample of formula will convince us impressionable women to give up the free milk (assuming it is working) and spend zillions on formula.

  25. I’d love to cancel my Daily Candy emails in protest, but I already did that a few months ago when I got tired of reading their ‘advertorials’.

  26. Wow. I’ve always thought that formula companies don’t need to market that stuff – we all know how to find it if we need it – but during World Breastfeeding Month? Ick.

  32. You need to post this over at the blog called This Is Broken (http://goodexperience.com/tib/). You’ll love the site. Basically it’s about making businesses aware that something they did or how they did it is broken. Make sure you read their archives too. Barrels of laughs – Walmart has hit their boards a few times (no surprise?).

  33. Grrr. I have nothing against formula and if I can’t breastfeed then obviously that’s what I’d use, but I find the whole push of baby formula annoying. Since I’m due to have a baby any day, I’ve been getting free samples in the mail. And I’ll get a free sample at the hospital too. Along with lots of great breastfeeding advice from the formula companies, of course…

  34. I was shocked when I got it in my inbox. I supplemented 2 kids with formula, but was still disappointed they would advertise one, and especially Nestle at that. I hope they get what they did wrong!

  35. I’ve been thinking this for a while, but your post prompted me to finally get around to unsubscribing. Thanks!

  36. You really put it perfectly.I don’t mind them making money. The formula advertorial thing is just another example over how they are privileging the quick buck now for anything that comes their way rather than maintaining their audience (which is what gets them the bucks) longterm. It is not a hip pick from daily candy–it is just a poorly timed, unfiltered commercial. Boring, boneheaded, and boorish.

  37. Ughh. Did you know they’re talking about banning formula ads in the UK? This was a really dumbass move.

  38. I remember when DAILY CANDY WAS cool and new in 2000! I haven’t checked them out in awhile so yee gawd is that what they’re up to??? PS Soob to be NYC mom agaiN!

  39. Never heard of that website. I guess I’m out of the loop here in wal-mart world. 🙂Should I feel bad for shopping at the only store in my town? LOL.

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