Like Brands Need Another Reason Why to Pay Attention to Social Media

Motrin. I wouldn't imagine an ad campaign for it that has nothing to do with associated health risks or recalls could enrage a community of social networkers, but it has. Look at Twitter posts for Motrin. I searched for it, and 22 new posts were added in less than a minute after I first searched. People are certainly talking, and they are opinionated.

The comments were so scathing that motrin.com took down their website Sunday night (though some thought it should have been down sooner) and have still not restored it, but you can still view the source of the controversy here:



There have even already been some parodys:



Normally, Johnson & Johnson top Best Brand lists, including Working Mother magazine. They have named Johnson & Johnson one of the “Top 100 Companies for Working Mothers” every year since the list was initiated 21 years ago. This Motrin campaign, however, seemed to strike a sour note with Moms, and they used social media to voice their concerns.

Wearing your baby is not suddenly in fashion, people have been doing it for forever. People are upset that Motrin makes them feel like bad parents. They understand the point Motrin was trying to make, but feel it was made in a tacky way.

Just goes to show you that even the most respected companies can have a blunder every once in a while.

UPDATE: http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2008/11/we-feel-your-pa.html