BlogHer ’09: The (sometimes) love-hate relationship between mommy bloggers and marketers
Last week I attended BlogHer in Chicago, a veritable cornucopia of 1,400 of the most powerful women bloggers in the world. Technology, mommy, food, travel and craft bloggers were just a few of the many tribes at this social media pow-wow. BlogHer even carved out a small niche by giving the “vaginally challenged” their own session.
Some people call them men.
Of these many groups, mommy bloggers were in the majority and marketers such as GM, Wal-Mart, Nikon, PepsiCo and Suave were pulling all the stops to woo us. And who can blame them? With an estimated 36.2 million women actively participating in the blogosphere weekly as either publishers or readers (not to mention the staggering statistic that 67% of moms look online for help making a purchasing decision) it’s no wonder companies are figuring out mommy bloggers are in this economy’s driver’s seat.
The two-day conference was crammed with sessions but for many, BlogHer is more about networking, partying and swagging.
And yes, after what I saw last week, “swagging” is indeed a verb.
Best Swag: It was rare to attend a party without receiving a swag bag and companies were eager to hawk their wares to these influential bloggers. Many women were gracious and grateful; others were not. One woman even allegedly threatened to blackmail a Crocs rep when he ran out of free shoes. This was my third year in attendance and I was both impressed with the professionalism of the many PR reps/marketers in attendance and dismayed at the greed of a few bloggers who cast a negative light on the rest of us.
My choice for best swag goes to the private Nintendo party I attended where everyone received a Nintendo DSi. Though their horse-drawn carriage ride and 4-course dinner in the Signature Room on the 95th floor of the Hancock Tower did not suck, either.
(With Park City Mtn Resort Marketing Dir Krista Parry)
Best Party: BowlHer ’09. What do you get when you rent out Lucky Strike, throw in a Project Runway-esque red carpet, pink boas, flashing lights and American Idol finalist Brooke White? You get the biggest, baddest party around. I stayed until the bitter end and believe me, there was nothing bitter about that.
Best Controversy:
Nikon threw a private party and the majority in attendance were mommy bloggers. What Nikon failed to realize is many of these women travel with their newborns. The venue did not allow children so these women were turned away, igniting a firestorm of frustration, fury and a “Nikon Hates Babies” campaign on Twitter. Though much of the drama has been resolved, Nikon’s attempts to woo this demographic backfired and they managed to ostracize some of the the very women they were trying to court.
Best Product Promo: Three words–Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. This 27-foot-long hot dog on wheels traverses the country’s highways and byways and rallies people about the glory of processed meat. I was thrilled and honored to ride “shotbun.” We cruised around town waving at the many passersby who took our picture while we sang along to the “I wish I were an Oscar Mayer Wiener” jingle. You’d better believe I chose Oscar Mayer hot dogs when I went shopping later that week.
Best Extracurricular Activity: The BlogHer 5K. Shannon of Phat Mommy organized a 5K and the course led bloggers along the scenic Lake Michigan pathway. Some participants sprinted, others jogged and many walked. As for me? I roller-bladed.
Because I am all about winning.
Here’s to BlogHer 2010 in New York City!
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What an experience! I enjoyed living it vicariously through you and other bloggers on Twitter! I know it’s not the same, but it will have to do!
I remember reading about BlogHer last year–didn’t have a clue.
(You are always so positive, so I love reading what you write. Because even when you tell it like it is, you do it with such class)
I didn’t even know the Oscar Mayer Weinermobile was still around. How fun to get to ride shotbun.
If I ever go to one of them big shing dings, I want you as a room mate!
The Wienermobile is alive and well. I thought it was kind of an urban legend as I had never even seen it before. Talk about cool!
How about we all room together next year?
nice summary!
(side note: i think we all need to hunt down the Croc girl and collectively blog-slap her for giving otherwise polite, self-admitted cool Swag Hags a bad name!)
Agreed. A few bad eggs made the rest of us look bad!
The power of the Mom is only being truly acknowledged now that we are outspoken. I am willing to deal with a few pinhead moms (aka Croc girl), if it means that more companies (and venues!) realize that the family isn’t an appendage to parents, it’s CENTRAL to parents. You want us to work for you? You want us to buy your products? Then realize that you will only earn our respect if you design your products & services with that in mind!
Even though I followed your antics on Twitter, I couldn’t wait to read your BlogHer re-cap, and you certainly didn’t disappoint. Shotbun!? I love it!
I can’t wait to go next year…weinermobile or not!
I thought I was fine with not attending BlogHer this year… but reading all the recaps make me a wee bit sad that I missed out. I’m glad you had a good time though, sounds like the conference was awesome this year.
First of all, this Blog Party looks fun!
Wow, is it just me or does the whole Nikon thing seem a little blown out of proportion?
Nintendo party?? REALLY?!?! I want to gooooo! (Hear that Ninetendo?)
Glad you had fun!
Sounds like so much fun. I am glad you got to ignore the drama and there appeared to be tons of it!
I might go next year… if I can hang out with you
As if I weren’t jealous enough already!
Thanks for the great recap! I hope to see you at the Type A Mom Conference in September!
Wow! Sounds like so much fun
I wanted to go to Blog Her 2010 but Hubs is nervous about me going to NYC all by my lonesome (plus it’s on the DAY of our wedding anniversary), so I kinda demanded that I’m going in 2011. Like, as in he has no choice in the matter.
Maybe I’ll see you there! I’ll be the one bringing the Canadian chocolate.
Nice recap. I wonder if we’ll meet in person in Colorado — or if the first time will be BlogHer 2010 in NYC?!
Why meet in person in Colorado when NYC awaits?
Yep, so many things are blown out of proportion when you get a bunch of women together. Talk about estrogen overload!
oh it all sounds so wonderful! Glad you had a great time!
Shotbun! Best. Term. Ever.
I hope to attend one year….one year.
Shotbun IS classic.
And every blogger should try to attend BlogHer at least once!
Thanks for the inside scoop for those of us who tended the hearth here.
Did you know I rode in the Wienermobile on the day I got engaged?
What a hoot, huh?
Even better would have been to get engaged IN the Wienermobile.
A DSi? Had I known, I would have started a blog long ago. Now it seems the market is glutted, and since there are no more Crocs to be had, what’s the point?
Sounds like fun!
I am supposed to go to NYC next summer to visit a friend. I am SERIOUSLY thinking of grabbing a BlogHer ticket and arranging the visit to all fall around the same time!
Well now you can die happy knowing you’ve ridden in the wienermobile.
Sigh, maybe next year I’ll go. But then maybe you and all the other cool bloggers I want to meet will be so BlogHered out that there will be no one left for me to meet.
Ooohh …. I am sitting here in wiener envy! I want to ride in that slick-mobile! And the best part? I would give the BEST queen wave EVER!!
Sadly, greed can’t be avoided no matter where you go. It was however great to read about your adventures and the fun you had. Moms need fun while they learn too!
Can Canuckians like moi attend to?
Great re-cap Amber!
My highlight was having YOU as a roomie!!
Shotbun?! That is too awesome for words!!