Johnson's Baby Camp: The "Diss"-invitation

Edited to add: This afternoon I spoke with Lori Dolginoff, Director of Communications for Johnson's. See the end of this post.

Yesterday I blogged about how I was disinvited from Johnson's Baby Camp because I couldn't commit to being there the entire time. Even though I was traveling to the east coast for BlogHer anyway (on my own dime), and even though they approached me all apologetic-like because I hadn't been invited, and even though I was told to hurry and RSVP as spaces were filling up, I was told I wouldn't be participating.

Let this be (another) lesson to PR people: This is (another) perfect example of how not to deal with bloggers. When I Twittered that I had been disinvited, then posted about it, I had commenters flocking to my post to see what was up. I also had about 15 new PR people requesting to follow me on Twitter (since my tweets are locked) inside of 30 minutes. J&J via their PR agency had the misfortune to bungle this opportunity with someone who is passionate about educating PR people on how they "get it wrong," and how they can "get it right." And like I said in my previous post, I will be talking about this at BlogHer business (especially from the "minority blogger" angle), and I know I'm not the only one.

Why do I do it? I do it for ALL the mommy bloggers. If PR people learn how to do this right, it benefits all of us. In other words, it's so not about me. I hope that is abundantly clear.

So here's how it all went down:

It all started when my good friend Jill Asher, founder of the Silicon Valley Moms Blog  called me to see if I was going to Baby Camp. I told her I hadn't been invited. (See J&J? We bloggers go to conventions and meet-ups and stuff where we meet each other and become...FRIENDS. Friends who talk about stuff. Like blogger meet-ups.)

Jill told me that J&J had extended invitations to the SVMoms and their network of bloggers and since I occasionally contribute to SV Moms, she asked if I would attend if invited. I said, "Sure."

Next thing I know, this email hits my in-box.

MARCH 13 (first email)

from    redacted <redacted@rfbinder.com>
to    Stefania
date    Thu, Mar 13, 2008 at 4:33 PM
subject    Johnson's Camp Baby
mailed-by    rfbinder.com

Hello Stefania,

Jill Asher informed me that you have not received your invitation to Johnson's Camp Baby. I apologize, and wanted to inform you that you will receive it tomorrow morning and if interested, you can register directly from it.

I hope you're able to join us.

Take Care,
redacted

MARCH 13 (second email from DIFFERENT PERSON at DIFFERENT PR AGENCY)

redacted <redacted@mmastrategiccommunications.com>

Hello Stephania - though I’ve reached out a few times, we’ve not officially “met”.  I’m writing because I just got pulled into this project that Johnson’s Baby is doing for bloggers – it’s called Baby Camp.

Basically, it’s a press trip to discuss all things baby and its taking place on April 2 - 4, 2008 in New Jersey.  I’m attaching info along with an agenda so you can see what it all entails.  Would love to know if you’d like to come (know it’s short notice but I just found out about it) – Johnson’s is covering the costs of travel/accommodation (the entire trip) so there is no cost to you.

 

Let me know if you’d be interested in attending and if you have any questions.

 

Best,

redacted

and I respond to the above right away:

Id love to talk to you more about this. I have some logistical issues since I will also be speaking at blogher biz (on the topic of pr-blogger outreach). Can I call you tomorrow? If so what time? Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

and she responds:

Hi - I'm pretty much around all day tomorrow except for a 2pm EST call.

My number is 908.xxx.xxxx office.

Thanks.
redacted

I never hear from her again. In the mean time...

MARCH 14 (second invitation sent by another DIFFERENT PR person--received this invitation twice)

from    Johnson & Johnson <redacted@rfbinder.com>
reply-to    redacted@rfbinder.com,
to    Stefania
date    Fri, Mar 14, 2008 at 11:45 AM
subject    Johnson's Camp Baby Registration Information
   
Dear Stefania,

JOHNSON'S® Invites You to the First Ever

Camp Baby!...

MARCH 14 (Since I hadn't RSVP'd they asked me to hurry up and respond!)

from    Johnson & Johnson <redacted@rfbinder.com>
reply-to    redacted@rfbinder.com,
to    Stefania
date    Fri, Mar 14, 2008 at 1:41 PM
subject    Johnson's Camp Baby Registration Information

Greetings Stefania,

I hope this note finds you well! Due to overwhelming response, I am excited to report that Johnson's Camp Baby is almost full! There are only a few spots left, and I would love for you to be one of our guests. Please RSVP as soon as is convenient. I apologize, but after we reach maximum capacity, we will no longer be able to accept any more RSVPs for this year's Johnson's Camp Baby. Thank you and I very much look forward to seeing you at Camp Baby!

All the Best,
Johnson's Camp Baby

Yes, I want to attend

No, I cannot attend

:: :: ::

Let me just stop for a second and say that at this point I'm thinking, "Wow! All these emails...They must really want me there."

Also at this point I am wondering how I am going to arrange for two extra days of childcare and how I am going to convince my husband to maybe take a day off of work because we can't afford to pay a sitter for the extra childcare, but how is my husband going to take a day off of work since he just started a new job two weeks ago and doesn't have any accrued vacation time yet?

How was I going to coordinate this nightmare so I could go get pampered (all the while worrying about my kids, no doubt). I finally got to the point where I decided we'd just make it work. So I RSVP'd that I would attend.

MARCH 14 (attendance confirmation)

from    redacted <redacted@rfbinder.com>
reply-to   redacted@rfbinder.com,
to    Stefania
date    Fri, Mar 14, 2008 at 2:24 PM
subject    Registration Confirmation: Johnson's Camp Baby
mailed-by    customers.seeuthere.com   

Reply

Images are not displayed.

Display images below - Always display images from redacted@rfbinder.com
Thank you for registering. Here are the details:
Confirmation code:
To review this registration click here: https://www.seeuthere.com/editreg/m2faf095-546369114214
User information:
First Name    Stefania    Last Name    Pomponi Butler
Business Email Address     Business Phone   
Event details:
Name    Johnson's Camp Baby
Location   
Location map    View map

MARCH 14 (clarifying travel details)

from    Stefania
to    redacted@rfbinder.com,
date    Fri, Mar 14, 2008 at 2:25 PM
subject    Re: Johnson's Camp Baby Registration Information
mailed-by    gmail.com

Reply

Hi there,

I have just rsvp'd yes.  I have to work out the travel details as I will also be attending/speaking at BlogHer business.  Can someone please help with that?

--

Sincerely,

S t e f a n i a P o m p o n i B u t l e r
Writer and Blog Editor/Producer

MARCH 14

from    redacted < redacted @rfbinder.com>
to    Stefania
cc    redacted  < redacted @rfbinder.com>,
redacted < redacted @rfbinder.com>,
redacted  < redacted @rfbinder.com>,
date    Fri, Mar 14, 2008 at 2:29 PM
subject    RE: Johnson's Camp Baby Registration Information
mailed-by    rfbinder.com

Hi Stefania,
Thank you for getting in touch. What were your thoughts in terms of scheduling around the conference?

All the Best,
redacted, on behalf of Camp Baby

MARCH 15

from    Stefania
to     redacted  < redacted @rfbinder.com>,
date    Sat, Mar 15, 2008 at 3:53 PM
subject    Re: Johnson's Camp Baby Registration Information
mailed-by    gmail.com

Hi there,

I have already purchased my ticket for the BlogHer conference...I would need travel to J&J on Tuesday to arrive the night before the camp starts. Then I suppose I would need travel back to Manhattan for the BlogHer conference. Is that do-able?

MARCH 15

from     Stefania
to     redacted  < redacted @rfbinder.com>,
date    Sat, Mar 15, 2008 at 3:55 PM
subject    Re: Johnson's Camp Baby Registration Information
mailed-by    gmail.com

Sorry meant to say travel on Wednesday to arrive by 6pm.  I can use my own ticket to travel home--i just need a way to get to the J&J camp since I hadn't planned on attending. thanks!

MARCH 17 (I am DISINVITED)

from     redacted  < redacted @rfbinder.com>
to    Stefania
date    Mon, Mar 17, 2008 at 2:43 PM
subject    RE: Johnson's Camp Baby Registration Information
mailed-by    rfbinder.com

Hi Stefania,
Thanks so much for getting in touch about Camp Baby! (note: I did NOT contact YOU. YOU contacted me, remember?!) Unfortunately, we can only accomodate those who registered to arrive and leave within the parameters of Johnson's Camp Baby.  I will be sure to include you in all future invitations and mailings.
 
Take care!

Best,
redacted, on behalf of Johnson's Camp Baby.

MARCH 18 (formally CANCELLED)

from     redacted  < redacted @rfbinder.com>
reply-to     redacted @rfbinder.com,
to    Stefania
date    Tue, Mar 18, 2008 at 7:06 AM
subject    Registration Cancellation: Johnson's Camp Baby
mailed-by    customers.seeuthere.com

Display images below - Always display images from  redacted @rfbinder.com
Your registration has been cancelled. Here are the details:
Confirmation code:...

:: :: ::

See you all at BlogHer Business NYC and BlogHer '08!! :-)

:: :: ::

This afternoon Lori Dolginoff emailed me asking to chat, and I called her back right away. She has read this post, your posts, and all the comments. She wants to make this situation right and so we talked at length about how that could be done.

I believe that Johnson's intentions were good to begin with. They didn't have the right plans in place to deal with the inevitable contingencies. (Like what to do with all those pesky nursing mothers, god.) And they clearly didn't understand exactly how tapped into technology and social media we are. They want to build relationships with mommy bloggers and that's great, but they need to understand that relationships begin with the very first email a blogger receives from the company. Best to rethink who is sending those emails.

I gave her my thoughts and advice (and could hear her tapping away on her keyboard in the background). She offered to "do something to make it up to me," and I declined. I had to clarify several times that my issue is not who got invited and who didn't—that's their business. I've been at this long enough to know not to get my panties in a bunch about that stuff. To her credit, she said Johnson's extended invitations to a broad spectrum of bloggers and because space was limited, they selected the bloggers who could come for both days whether they had 10 readers a day or 10,000.

She promised to address this situation at the camp. Let's see what happens. To everyone attending, I hope you have a great time.

 

 

Comments

[Dawn @ Coming to a Nursery Near You]

I really look forward to seeing how this major bungle is handled and hopefully, avoided for future conferences!

[pinks & blues girls]

Um, really bad PR move right there.

This isn't the only time that I've been reminded just how out of touch corporations are when it comes to the inner workings of the blogging community.

Word spreads fast, my friends!

Jane, Pinks & Blues

[MammaLoves]

So glad I chose not to go.

This whole thing is actually hysterical.

These folks obviously think we just fell off the turnip truck.

Um. We're bloggers. We're networked. We're probably more technologically savvy than 95% of the population.

You really want to make your company/client look foolisn in front of us?!

[becky]

Wow. That was...abrupt. Were there breastfeeding moms that got disinvited, too? If it had been me (breastfeeding my 4 mo. old), I would def. let J&J know they dropped the ball.

Thanks for sharing all of this with us.

[mrsmogul]

Sounds like a robot is typing these emails! I got an email from them but thought it was SPAM for J&J shampoo!

curious to see what happens!

Oh, I just saw the update on the previous post. Duh. Sorry!

[Busy Mom]

Dumbfounded.

[melissaS]

I'm still not getting what they did wrong. Were you going to have to leave the 'Camp' early?

If not, did they not want to provide you transportation to Manhattan?

I'm confused.

[Jessica Ashley (Sassafrass)]

I did get invited and did really consider going. It is just not the right timing in my life to get away for those days, though. And after reading these posts and tsk-tsk-tsking J & J in my head, I'm not so sorry I can't make it after all.

[Glennia]

I am having a problem with booking the plane tickets with them now. I may not be going either. I'm starting to feel exhausted just thinking about it.

[Dawn]

oh this is just .... amazing.

[tracey]

UGghhh.... That stinks. After all of that hassle arranging childcare, too!

[Dana]

I'm going but I'm concerned about the nursing moms who were invited and dis-invited. (I nursed my sons for a combined 28 months.)

[white trash mom]

It is REALLY amazing, how STUPID some companies think bloggers are. I love the pitches I get that don't even have my name or have the wrong name. Glad I did not go. They probably would have uninvited me once they realized I was "white trash mom". That usually does it.

[WhyMommy]

Yowsers. Just ... yowsers.

[mothergoosemouse]

It sounds as if they didn't even understand what your transportation requirements and schedule constraints were, but jumped to the conclusion that you needed special accommodations and nixed you on that assumption.

[cat/bad kitty]

Like I said before, they are Fools. This is should turn up on the Daily Show.

[Busy Mom]

I'm glad they responded. I know their intentions were good, but the problem isn't addressed.

Perhaps it'd be wise to look at how many different ways the e-mails were sent out and how many people were sending them.

The automatically generated invites were apparently caught in my spam filter or went to trash.

When I was personally contacted (the better route in my opinion) I asked to have some time to get back to them (as I said before my husband was out of the country) and they said OK.

As in OK, we'll wait for your answer.

When I replied that I could come, the answer was "Sorry, we're full now."

Again, I think this is all a good idea and I'm sure a huge undertaking, and, I applaud their efforts.

However, it's time for the PR company to get organized and respond to the concerns without the canned text and think things through a little more thoroughly next time.

[Mom101]

I also appreciate the pr firm's efforts to right the wrongs -

I can't help but wonder how the client is in all this though. Clearly they're spending a few bucks to put this all together (to say nothing of the pr firm fee) and this isn't exactly a great way to get it all going.

No doubt the event will be terrific and those attending will have a great time - and I feel bad that some of their enthusiasm has been dampened. But as Susan Getgood keeps saying so wisely, social media outreach isn't just offering enticing stuff in exchange for buzz. It's relationship building.

Relationships that start with getting to know the people you're pitching to.

[Leeanthro]

I'm a nursing mom and plan to pump while there.

I am sorry for anyone's bad experience. I think that they had good intentions and just made a few blunders since this is their first event of this nature.

I'm sorry to say that my bad experience with this is not with J & J, but of a friend and fellow blogger who wrote that her feelings were hurt because she wasn't invited. I hadn't even told her what I was doing, just that I had a great opportunity for a little expense-paid travel.

I, like most moms, never do anything for myself. It saddens me that she has to rain on my parade.

[Monica]

So what happens if you go to the event and then don't come home and blather on and on about how great their products are? No invite next year? Seems like selling out big time to me. Will be interested to see what kind of blog posts the event inspires.

[Michelle]

wow I cant believe this happened....im just in awe...

[Dana]

The invitation stated that blogging on the matter is encouraged, but not mandatory. I write my God's honest two cents, regardless. I just hope it's not a drama fest when I get there. I have enough of that at home.

[Her Bad Mother]

Leeanthro, really?

"I'm sorry to say that my bad experience with this is not with J & J, but of a friend and fellow blogger who wrote that her feelings were hurt because she wasn't invited... It saddens me that she has to rain on my parade."

I think that we need to be sensitive to the fact that this kind of thing DOES hurt feelings - nobody likes to be excluded - and need to do what we can to mitigate it. Like, maybe, *encourage* people to write about their feelings around being excluded. To expect them to clam up so that they don't spoil the fun of the ones who get to go is selfish in the extreme and contrary to the open discursive spirit of the momosphere.

[Lia]

Really glad that J & J is making an effort. Good for them. I am bummed I am not going to the event but oh well.

The whole "being excluded" thing I totally get BUT I also realize that it is all about who you know!

[Elizabeth]

I wrote a post about this on Table for Five, and I wasn't invited. Just curious-the person who so rudely wrote "I didn't contact YOU", was that the first PR person or the second? Because wow, that was rude.

[miguelina]

Dear HBM: Loved your reply! I wasn't invited (and sincerely hope that those that are going have a blast) but I reserve the right to be bummed that I don't get to go.

[KL]

Table for Five - I think that "note" was Stefania's edit on the letter (that she was contacted by J&J and not the other way around).

I think the follow up was atrocious, but not the idea that they only wanted people who could attend the entire event. But a skilled PR firm would have: (1) made it much clearer in advance that they wanted full attendence so that you didn't have to go through all the effort of rearranging your scheudule and (2) made some sort of overture at making it up to you - like sending some free J&J product.

I'm glad you're publicizing this.

[jenB]

Honestly, they have been pretty transparent and it is a difficult undertaking, obviously not without mistakes. It is likely they have not planned such a mother intense conference before and didn't plan for all the contingencies.

Also, they didn't offer Stefania a lifetime supply of baby powder, she declined the offer and we do not know what it would have been.

Mistakes were made, no one is PR perfect, especially on such a new venture, and I am willing to cut them some slack.

That said, I will miss Julie and Stefania A LOT!

Yes, I am a polly anna, sorry.

[jenB]

Honestly, I know this might bring me some good old fashioned flaming, but as mothers, aren't we always taking about not judging other mothers? Some of the comments here and other places are just so harsh.

I am sorry not everyone who wished to go was invited. I HAVE BEEN THERE, feeling left out is painful. I understand and hug you from here.

[mrschicken]

I wasn't going to respond here, but here I go anyways.

I am the blogger who wrote about being left out of the party. It is one of the more frustrating aspects of blogging for me. I know that of course not everyone can be invited, but that doesn't make it sting any less.

I work very hard to create not only compelling content on my blog, but also to create a sense of community and belonging there. I try hard not to judge people, and I sometimes feel like I am being judged when these things get passed around and I get passed over.

It just seemed like with the J&J thing, every. single. person. I read was going, and I wasn't even contacted at all.

That said, I did write a post poking fun at the J&J-owned site, babycenter, for its sometimes silly and pollyanna view of pregnancy. which is probably why I wasn't invited to go.

I feel terrible that I rained on anyone's parade, and that was never my intention.

Thanks to HBM, who expressed exactly how I feel so succintly, as always.

[Jodi]

Google + Mommy Bloggers = huge influence!

I was invited, seemingly last minute by a PR rep I've worked with before (not the PR company running the event). Surprisingly, things fell in place quickly and I was able to RSVP prior to it filling up.

I do think the name may be misleading - I have a toddler and preschooler so didn't even think of bringing them but I can see why people thought they could. But, I will admit to being excited about the event and am really looking forward to meeting other mommies.

[jenB]

I asked, and 50 people are attending, that is less than I thought.

[jaelithe]

I was invited and have registered to go. I can only conclude they wanted a mix of big blogs and small blogs, since my blog is not exactly super-famous. Or maybe they wanted a certain number of bloggers from each region?

As JenB noted, they only had 50 spots available (and they have actually expanded that to 56 I think). I think that perhaps J&J should have made it clearer from the beginning how limited the space was so that people did NOT feel so left out. I mean, I would guess there must be at least 300-400 mommybloggers out there who post often enough and have enough of an audience to have been considered, and obviously not everyone could go. I imagine it was difficult for J&J to choose, or they would not have let in six extra attendees. I do feel for the people who wish they could have gone and didn't get in. I have a couple of friends who were invited but didn't register in time and were denied, and I'm sad they won't be able to go with me. But I don't think the process was deliberately unfair in any way-- I think it was just poorly organized.

I am always a little wary about going to events like this because of the sell-out factor, but, as a previous comment noted, the email J&J sent was very clear that blogging about the event would be optional, AND it said that anyone who DID blog about the event while there needed to mention it was an expenses-paid trip. That part of the email certainly made me feel a lot more comfortable about signing up. This is definitely NOT being presented as a pay-per-post sort of deal. If J&J has been clear about anything so far, they have been clear about that.

And if they were afraid of honest criticism, I am pretty sure they would not have invited me. Seriously. I just got done with a whole series of post on reputable v. disreputable blog aggregators, wherein I named names. And I'm still #1 on Google for "Overstock.com overcharge."

[jaelithe]

I should add that while I don't think the SELECTION process was deliberately unfair, I DO think it's unfair that they haven't made better accommodations for nursing mothers.

And now I should GMOBlog. Oh wait, I have one . . . hehe.

[Robyn]

Honestly, at first I was a little jealous and felt a little left out. But good golly gee, who has time for all the drama! I'm over it.

I will admit tho, that I kinda love it when these PR folks rub you the wrong way, CM. Because then we all get to hear your sassy self set things right. It totally makes up for being left out. :)

[David Hornik]

The power of blogs and twitter. I never get invited to a damn thing. Oh well! Will there be free baby powder, I loved that as a kid. Probably toxic.

[pamela]

OOOPS - my husband was signed in that last comment was from me , not David!

[tessamom]

egad! I can't wait to hear how they address this at the conference!

[Nicole/wksocmom]

Hee Hee. I feel left out, I'm an SV Mom :( Note how I go directly to my own selfish thoughts - please, make me your resource :) But I second Robyn, always like to the feedback from Citymama, who remains fair and unbalance, mostly. I'm in marketing, and it's a tough business, but there are some basics that aren't that difficult.

[Andria]

Hmm. I too, can't wait to see if they address what has happened at the event. Or, if they just brush it aside.

[Mindy]

I haven't read ALL of the comments (bad form, sorry) but I did want to say that this was widely discussed there, as many have pointed out. I thought the BH Buss Summit was at the same time, by the Twittering, so I didn't think anyone could go to both.

I kept hearing about how some were disinvited, and also heard that the trip to the Olympics they raffled off was "family unfriendly." This I did not get.

When I get an invitation to anything, Blogher included, I see if I can go, and if I can't, I don't. Childcare has to be arranged, time off from work too, spouses need to juggle as well, so it's disruptive all around. But you can CHOOSE to go or not go. They didn't have accommodations for children, nor should they have been expected to. Their goal was to gather as many influential mom bloggers as possible, and there were lots who could come and others who couldn't make it work. If I couldn't arrange childcare, I wouldn't have gone, but I got lucky. My ex is extremely accommodating.

About the Beijing trip being family-unfriendly, the same principle applies. You have a choice. There's a bit of Gift Horse Mania going around, as if we expect everything that is offered to us to be tailored to us. It felt hostile all around, and I felt guilty for not being outraged at the hosts. I actually had nothing but very pleasant interactions from the PR people and was happy with the way they scrambled. Others not so much.. but that is life. You have to make choices.

P.S. I have to disclose that I was one of the winners of the trip. It just so happens that I can arrange to go for four days, the same length of just about every conference I attend. If I were going to a management training seminar, I'd go through the same motions. Being a mom doesn't mean I have to have the way cleared for me. I can clear it myself or wait for a more convenient occasion.

Please don't flame me. I come in peace.

[Mindy]

Oh, and about how they chose who to invite (and I was surprised to be invited), I understood that they were shooting for the middle - not the top bloggers, not the smaller bloggers, but the sweet spot in the middle. Granted, that sweet spot is HUGE. I was impressed that they let six extra come in since it cost a fortune per head. They really wanted to help it work.