M2Moms Conference Moves the Needle Towards Dads

Normally, the annual M2Moms-The Marketing to Moms Conference, wouldn’t usually hit our radar screen.  Consequently, the conference billed as “The World’s Premier Conference on marketing to MOM’s” that kicks off on Monday (Oct 22 – 24) in Chicago piqued our interest!  Yep, finally, in it’s 8th year, they’ve got our attention.

Sure, there will be the usual networking opportunities that comes with a premier conference bringing together influential bloggers, media professionals, and brands.  BUT, there are two panel discussions to note that make us wish we lived slightly closer to Chicago so we could attend.  Included below are complete panel discussion descriptions directly from M2Moms site.

First, a panel discussion that investigates marketing to the Modern Family!  We know the discussion will be meaningful, engaging, and thought-provoking because the panelists are experts that we follow and respect.  Who wouldn’t want to hear Edelman dissecting their progressive research including how the involved dad fits into the puzzle?  Who wouldn’t want to hear Doug French rehash what happened this past March when dads (and those that love us) across the nation weren’t happy with the portrayal of fathers in the Huggies ad campaign?

From the Brady Bunch to Modern Family – Marketing to Today’s Family Missy Maher EVP, Director of Modern Family Foresight Edelman Jennifer Chrisler Executive Director Family Equality Council Jennifer Owens Editorial Director Working Mother Magazine Director Working Mother Research Institute Susan Can Director, Corporate Equity Johnson & Johnson Doug French Co-Founder Dad 2.0 Summit The essence of parenting hasn’t changed. Parents love their kids and want to teach good values. What has changed is the look and make-up of the American family today – from the Brady Bunch… to Modern Family! Last year, Edelman unveiled the Marketing to the Modern Family study for the first time at M2Moms, and a year later, the insights we shared have become that much more impactful. Join us as we take a deeper dive into the Modern Family with a panel of top brand and parenting publication representatives as we discuss how different family members are influencing purchase decisions – and how you can stay on top of the game!   Next, is a workshop that explores connecting brands with fathers as well as speaking to moms “without alienating dads.”  After feeling excluded during the Summer Olympics with the P&G, “Thank You, Mom” campaign (earning it’s own discussion at the M2Moms conference with P&G’s marketing director) or wanting mega-mom-centric sites like “AmazonMom” to be more inclusive, not sure we could request a more interesting topic for conversation!  Avoiding the Parent Trap: Balancing the Influence of Moms and Dads Julie Halpin Founding Partner/CEO Geppetto Group     Alan Kercinik EVP, Strategy & Planning Ogilvy Public Relations   For years, marketers have focused on reaching women and moms because that’s where the influence, purchase power and cultural shifts were concentrated. While marketers still have to choose to reach moms, reach dads or try for both, times … and dads … have changed. In this workshop, we’ll talk about how to better connect your brand with dads. We’ll offer insights that will help you speak to moms without alienating dads, help you understand the evolving attitudes of dads and help you avoid the pitfalls of “competitive parenting.”

Bottom Line: We believe it’s wonderful to see some of the elite parent-blogger conferences like M2Moms moving the conversation forward!  Thanks for incorporating dads into the fold, moving beyond strictly mom-centric content, and increasing the focus on parent/family-blogging.  We applaud you.