Johnson and Johnson “breaks into jail” with BabyCamp

March 19, 2008 By

When I worked at Microsoft the PR team had a saying they told me often: “don’t break into jail.”

In other words, don’t screw up a good thing. Or, don’t do something that’ll get you bad PR.

Which is just what Johnson and Johnson did over the past week.

They are throwing a “BabyCamp” for mommy bloggers. Sounds great, right?

But a couple of problems.

1. You can’t bring your baby. Dumb.
2. They scheduled it at the same time as BlogHer. Double dumb.
3. They disinvited a couple of bloggers, one who had a baby, and another who was speaking at Blogher. Triple dumb.

Maryam wraps up the mess and explains what’s going on now. I’m Maryam’s husband and she’s decided to go to BabyCamp with her mom, who’ll take care of Milan while she attends sessions and such (her mom did the same while Maryam worked at CES’s BlogHaus, it’s a real advantage to have someone like that).

Speaking of which, I hate saying “Maryam’s my wife.” Sounds like I own her or something. Truth is actually the reverse. :-)

Filed Under: bad marketing, BlogHer06, Journalism, Materials, Moveable Type
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  • http://mom-101.blogspot.com/ Mom101

    The bloggers complaining are the least of J&J’s issues; here the brand is trying to position itself as one that gets moms, while throwing an event that does the very opposite.

    I know Christopher thinks he’s oh so clever and cynical here (yawn), but imagine a tech conference with no computers. Imagine an AARP conference with no chairs. A mom conference–held on weekdays by the way–with no childcare or provisions for infants is simply bizarre.

  • http://mom-101.blogspot.com Mom101

    The bloggers complaining are the least of J&J’s issues; here the brand is trying to position itself as one that gets moms, while throwing an event that does the very opposite.

    I know Christopher thinks he’s oh so clever and cynical here (yawn), but imagine a tech conference with no computers. Imagine an AARP conference with no chairs. A mom conference–held on weekdays by the way–with no childcare or provisions for infants is simply bizarre.

  • http://misha-pooh.blogspot.com/ misha

    where can I find a man like you – one who accepts reality? LOL – I love the end :)

  • http://misha-pooh.blogspot.com misha

    where can I find a man like you – one who accepts reality? LOL – I love the end :)

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  • http://www.hormonecoloreddays.blogspot.com/ Kim/hormone-colored Days

    Well, I do get to meet your wife and Camp Baby. I’ll see what she call you ;-)

  • http://www.hormonecoloreddays.blogspot.com/ Kim/hormone-colored Days

    Well, I do get to meet your wife and Camp Baby. I’ll see what she call you ;-)

  • http://www.hormonecoloreddays.blogspot.com Kim/hormone-colored Days

    Well, I do get to meet your wife and Camp Baby. I’ll see what she call you ;-)

  • Pingback: entrepreMusings » Johnson & Johnson Invited Me to Baby Camp!

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  • http://www.brandweek.com/bw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003788871&imw=Y Badly Executed Branding Strate

    I read about this on Brandweek.com…very good idea, but poorly executed. I still think this will help them overall with their branding strategy when the bloggers who got invited write positive things about their company.

  • http://www.brandweek.com/bw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003788871&imw=Y Badly Executed Branding Strate

    I read about this on Brandweek.com…very good idea, but poorly executed. I still think this will help them overall with their branding strategy when the bloggers who got invited write positive things about their company.

  • http://www.brandweek.com/bw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003788871&imw=Y Badly Executed Branding Strategy

    I read about this on Brandweek.com…very good idea, but poorly executed. I still think this will help them overall with their branding strategy when the bloggers who got invited write positive things about their company.

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  • Ebonie Bullard

    My name is Ebonie Bullard & I am a student doing a class project on industries that are best in class. Would you know of any names of other bloggers that may know any productivity improvement that the JNJ company may be pursuing, along with other important aspects(such as est. costs of project & completion times)?

  • Ebonie Bullard

    My name is Ebonie Bullard & I am a student doing a class project on industries that are best in class. Would you know of any names of other bloggers that may know any productivity improvement that the JNJ company may be pursuing, along with other important aspects(such as est. costs of project & completion times)?

  • Ebonie Bullard

    My name is Ebonie Bullard & I am a student doing a class project on industries that are best in class. Would you know of any names of other bloggers that may know any productivity improvement that the JNJ company may be pursuing, along with other important aspects(such as est. costs of project & completion times)?

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