Women Blog

Mom Marketing Expert Outlines the Top 5 Mom Tech Trends for the New Year

Today’s time-starved, multi-tasking mothers are using more than band-aids and paper-based calendars to manage their hectic lifestyles and growing families. Mothers, now more than ever, are using technology such as video, blogs and wireless devices to multi-task through their busy days, using more than 5 separate technologies daily. 2009 stands to produce a record number of tech-savvy mothers bridging devices together to create everyday solutions.

According to research released by industry expert Maria Bailey in her new book, Mom 3.0: Marketing with Today’s Mothers by Leveraging New Media & Technology, a mom’s primary objective in using technology is to stay in touch with her busy family and manage their schedules effectively. In 2009, Moms will delve even deeper into the world of technology as they discover new functionalities of the tools they are already using.

Five technology trends to watch for in 2009 in the mom market cited by Bailey include:

1. The Emergence of Mom 3.0

They may be living in a 2.0 world but today’s moms are creating their own systems of solutions to operate on a 3.0 level. According to research by Bailey’s marketing to moms firm, BSM Media, www.bsmmedia.com, the majority of moms (65%) utilize 5 or more forms of technology every day. These moms are turning to devices such as computers, cell phones and mp3 players, as well as communication forums like blogs and instant messaging, to stay connected with their families, deliver useful content to their peers and manage their fast-paced worlds.

“Mom 3.0 is a powerful consumer who not only purchases products, but influences the decision making process of her peers through the use of new media, technology and content that is relevant and intuitive,” said Bailey. “She is the living, breathing personification of what Internet trend analysts foresee in the emergence of Web 3.0.”

2. Vlogs Become the New Blogs

Bailey predicts that Mom vloggers will outnumber Mommy bloggers by the end of 2009, as moms begin to see the ease of distributing and consuming information through video. Research conducted by BSM Media points to online video as the next preferred media among Moms. In fact, 82% of moms have watched 2 or more videos in the last week, versus 35% who have read blogs in the last week.

According to 64% of moms, video is an appealing format because it’s adaptable to their lifestyles. Vlogs allow Moms to learn and share with other Moms — all while stirring macaroni and cheese and answering homework questions. And the emergence of convenient, handheld camcorders, such as the Flip Video, makes shooting and uploading home videos easy and accessible. Currently Newbaby.com, www.newbaby.com , has built the largest network of Mommy Vloggers who review products and chronicle their journeys through parenthood.

3. The Return of Podcasts

In 2009, a decade after the buzzword was coined, podcasts will make a comeback. Back in 1999, when podcasts first emerged on the technology landscape, only 20% of moms owned some form of mp3 player. However, today, over 80% of moms have a means to listen to a podcast, whether through computer downloads or popular mp3 players like the iPod and Zune. Whatever listening device Moms choose, podcasts are a perfect fit for an on-the-go lifestyle. Moms can download specialized talk radio, shows and music and take entertainment and relevant content with them throughout their day, whether they are driving carpool in a minivan or jogging behind a double stroller.

With 80% of the market having the right tools in hand, it’s time for this medium to experience the growth it deserves.

4. Twitter, Micro blogging, Instant Messaging Expands In Functionality For Moms

Moms have contributed to the growth of the social media phenomenon because interacting virtually with their peers allows them to nurture relationships in a simpler way. Joining social networking sites allows Moms to share product recommendations and parenting advice with like-minded Moms across the country. Recent statistics show that more than 40% of American mothers have Facebook profiles.

And now that these multi-tasking Moms have grown comfortable using these platforms to share with their peers, they are starting to use them to fulfill another core motivator — staying in touch with their families. Just as many mothers have found texting to be an effective form of communication with their kids in 2008, in 2009 Moms will be tweeting, instant messaging and creating profiles on sites such as Facebook and MySpace to keep up with their adolescents and tweens.

5. Digital Photography and Video Sharing Leaves the Laptop

With the popularity of the Nintendo Wii among moms, Bailey hypothesizes that they will soon discover the functionalities of sharing photos over the game system and move their memory sharing from online to their living room. By inserting her camera’s memory card into her Wii, a mom can create an interactive photo slideshow that can be shown in her home, as the perfect backdrop to a party, or shared virtually with other moms or family members that have access to the game system.

Since many moms will be resolving to actually get their photos off of their cameras this New Year, digital photo frames will grow in popularity. Most of these widely available and easy-to-use devices allow Moms to store and display over 4,000 images in an attractive setting that fits in with any decor.

The above research was conducted by BSM Media in conjunction with the release of Mom 3.0. Over 3,000 Moms across the United States were surveyed in June 2008 and these statistics are just a small sample of the plethora of Mom Market research that can be found in Mom 3.0. Filled with ideas, insights and creative programs to help you update your current strategies, as well as input from real-world Moms, Mom 3.0 will help prepare any brand for the future of Mom Marketing. To learn more or to purchase a copy of Mom 3.0, visit www.marketingtomoms.com .

Maria T. Bailey is the foremost authority on marketing to moms. Her company, BSM Media, specializes solely in marketing to mothers. In addition to Mom 3.0, she is the author of “Marketing to Moms: Getting Your Share of the Trillion Dollar Market” and “Trillion Dollar Moms: Marketing to a New Generation of Mothers.”

Source: BSM Media

So how is your goal setting coming along? In a few hours’ time, we are into a new year and it’s time to put the past behind us.

This is a quiet christmas for us. If we are still in tokyo or hong kong, we would be tucked inside our heated blanket, enjoying a good movie as the clock struck past. But christmas and new year celebration in the tropics can miss the fun of a cool climate but it ain’t that bad either.

We were discussing our home business goals for the new year this morning. Looking back, we are thankful for an eventful year of blessings and good things. We couldn’t have done it without the help of the Almighty. As the year draws to a close, may you take time to reflect and prepare yourself for another exciting year. Happy 2009!

How to Cope

The holidays have come and gone — and in their wake, a gluttony of Wii, iPods, and PlayStations adorn American households. Now what?

According to Dr. David Dutwin, author of Unplug Your Kids: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Happy, Active, and Well-Adjusted Children in the Digital Age, published by Adams Media, “January is always a time when kids’ media habits dramatically increase.” When you break down the stats (on an ordinary day — forget post holiday!), any parent would be alarmed. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, children ages 8 - 18 spend more time (an average of 44.5 hours per week) in front of a computer, television, or game screen. That is more time spent than any other activity in their lives — except sleeping. Teaching parents how to manage their children’s digital lives, this book is a much-needed resource for the modern American family.

All agree, totally escaping the Wii, iPod, and Web is not realistic, and a significant argument can be made that mastering a level of technology at a young age is a solid foundation for any child in today’s increasingly digital world. But, what is a healthy amount of exposure? How can parents find a happy medium when it comes to technology and raise physically active, well-rounded children that actually enjoy playing outside?

Organized in three sections, Dutwin offers a balanced and realistic approach for managing children of all age-levels, including tactics for:

• Introducing toddlers to TV — or not

• Allowing small children to use computers

• Controlling pre-teens’ online access

• Evaluating the pros and cons of video games

• Filtering the internet for teens

• Combating the negative social stigmas pervasive in today’s media

• Countering images of sex and violence

A social science researcher for International Communications Research and an adjunct professor for West Chester University, David Dutwin received his doctoral degree in communication at the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania-one of the premier schools for mass media studies in the world today.

He has taught and lectured on a wide range of topics, including the effects of the mass media and communication research methods. In addition to teaching, he regularly speaks at a number of conferences regarding survey research, media research, political research, and health research. A media veteran, Dutwin has appeared on television numerous times. Dutwin’s book, Unplug Your Kids: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Happy, Active, and Well-Adjusted Children in the Digital Age, was published by Adams Media.

Source: Adams Media

NEARLY 90 PERCENT OF WOMEN CONSIDER PETS MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILY — 59 PERCENT WOULD RISK THEIR LIVES TO SAVE THEM

OVER TWO THIRDS BUY THEIR PETS HOLIDAY OR BIRTHDAY PRESENTS WHILE ONE THIRD BRING THEM ON VACATION

13 PERCENT WOULD PREFER FOUR-LEGGED COMPANIONSHIP OVER A PERSON IF STRANDED ON A DESERTED ISLAND

While the economic downturn might make women pause about new purchases, it won’t affect how much they’ll spend on their beloved pets next year.

As part of its ongoing “FemiNation” dialogue into the lifestyles and attitudes of contemporary women, Lifetime Networks today announced a survey* on the relationship between Women 18-49 and their pets. The poll found that eighty-nine percent of women indicate they will spend the same amount or more on their pets in the next 12 months, while 24 percent plan on spending more money.

“This poll shows that pets are no longer viewed as mere companions, but as integral parts of their families,” said Mike Greco, Executive Vice President, Research. “Underlining this powerful emotional bond, 87 percent of women consider pets members of their family, with 59 percent willing to risk their lives to save their pet.”

The survey also reveals one third (28 percent) of women put the needs of their pet ahead of their own. Given a choice between human or animal companionship on a deserted island, 13 percent opted for their pet — perhaps because 30 percent say their pet is the best listener!

Findings of the survey include:

1. REIGNING CATS AND DOGS

• Roughly seven out of ten Women between the ages of 18 and 49 own a pet (69 percent).

• One-half of Women 18-49 own at least one dog (51 percent), and one-third own at least one cat (33 percent).

2. PETS ARE PEOPLE TOO

• Most Women 18-49 Pet Owners consider their pets to be members of their family (87 percent).

• More than half Women 18-49 Pet Owners (59 percent) would risk their lives for their pet.

• One-in-ten Women 18-49 Pet Owners have sacrificed a relationship for their pet (12 percent).

• More than one-in-four Women 18-49 Pet Owners put the needs of their pet ahead of their own (28 percent).

3. PAMPERED PETS- PURCHASING POWER

• The majority of Women 18-49 Pet Owners claim that they “always pamper their pets with the best products” (58 percent).

• In the past year, 81 percent of Women Pet Owners 18 to 49 have purchased their pets toys (66 percent), professional grooming (26 percent), organic food (22 percent), outfits (16 percent) and/or some type of spa service (4 percent).

• Among Women 18-49 Pet Owners, more than two-thirds buy their pets holiday or birthday presents (68 percent), one-third takes their pets on vacation (36 percent), and 20 percent dress their pets up.

• On average, Women 18-49 Pet Owners report having spent $160 on a gift for their pet (37 percent admit to having spent more than $100).

4. WOMAN’S BEST FRIEND

• More than one-in-ten Women 18-49 Pet Owners would choose to have the companionship of their favorite pet over another human being if they were stranded on a deserted island (13 percent).

• A third of Women 18-49 Pet Owners say that their favorite pet is the “best listener” (30 percent).

• Half of Women 18-49 Pet Owners let their pet sleep in their bed (49 percent).

*This report presents the findings of two telephone surveys conducted among a national probability sample of more than 1,000 adults in US households comprising over 500 Women 18 years of age and older. The first survey was conducted Nov. 6-9, 2008 among roughly 173 Women Pet Owners ages 18 to 49, and the second survey was conducted Nov. 21-24, 2008 among 186 Women Pet Owners ages 18 to 49, living in private US households.

LIFETIME is the leader in women’s television and one of the top rated basic cable television networks. A diverse, multimedia company, LIFETIME is committed to offering the highest quality entertainment and information programming, and advocating a wide range of issues affecting women and their families. LIFETIME Television, Lifetime Movie Network, Lifetime Real Women and Lifetime Digital (including myLifetime.com) are part of LIFETIME Entertainment Services, a 50/50 joint venture of Hearst Corporation and The Walt Disney Company.

Let me boldly assume that all home office women here had a nice Christmas with lavishly prepared homecooked Christmas dinners this year. Whether your Christmas dinner was filled with gourmet turkey or mouth-watering honey baked ham, I hoped that the memories of your family and friends had lingered close and near though the silver bells had stopped ringing.

This is probably the time of the year where most home office women reflect on their home business goals for this year and next. Much had happened in 2008 in the financial and economical arena and those of us with home businesses had been more or less affected to. Perhaps this may be the right time to consider and acquire home business ideas if your 9 to 5 job is threatening your work security. And for those of us who are already working from home, it’s time to look at new opportunities in affiliate and internet marketing. We have heard of new blogging and affiliate tools in and around the web that can equip us to be better work at home affiliate marketers. How about a one stop website that can allow you to promote six different affiliate programs at one time? Some of you may be familiar with one or these networks - ClickBank, SFI, Traffic Swarm, Success University, Empowerism, and Host4Profit. Why not get equipped for the new year with a new home business opportunity? Here’s your chance to learn how to get your own Plug-In Profit Site, check out the above links.

Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission Chairperson Stephen A. Glassman announced that the commission has ordered Fidelity Mortgage Services Inc. of Philadelphia, and company Vice President Alex Vulakh, to pay $17,405 plus interest to Megan LaBree of Philadelphia as compensation for pay lost after she was illegally terminated for being pregnant.

The Human Relations Commission, or PHRC, also ordered Fidelity to end their discriminatory practices.

The order followed a PHRC decision that Fidelity had illegally discriminated against Labree on the basis of her sex by terminating her because she was pregnant. Vulakh was found to have aided and abetted Fidelity’s discrimination. Pregnancy discrimination is illegal sex discrimination under the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act.

“In spite of progress we have made, pregnant women still suffer illegal discrimination in the workplace,” Glassman said. “Women should know that Pennsylvania law protects them if they become pregnant and employers should recognize their responsibility to provide fair and equitable work environments.”

Labree alleged in a December 2006 complaint to PHRC that Fidelity terminated her upon learning she was pregnant after only one day on the job. A PHRC investigation found probable cause to credit her allegations and after attempts at conciliation were unsuccessful, PHRC held a public hearing on the matter in May 2008. At that point the findings of the PHRC investigation became public.

Fidelity and/or Vulakh were ordered to pay Labree the lump sum of $17,405 in back pay lost after her termination, with additional 6 percent interest calculated from the date she was terminated until payment is made.

The company has thirty days from the effective date of the order, today, to report to PHRC on how they will comply with the order.

The Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission enforces Pennsylvania laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, disability and familial status. The commission’s jurisdiction extends to employment, housing, commercial property, public accommodation, education and the monitoring of community tension situations. Find us online at www.phrc.state.pa.us.

Source: Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission

Answer these questions truthfully:

1.) Does your spouse or partner complain that you spend too much money?

2.) Are you surprised each month when your credit card bill arrives at how much more you charged than you thought you had?

3.) Do you have more shoes and clothes in your closet than you could ever possibly wear?

4.) Do you own every new gadget before it has time to collect dust on a retailer’s shelf?

5.) Do you buy things you didn’t know you wanted until you saw them on display in a store?

If you answered “yes” to any two of the above questions, you are an impulse spender and indulge yourself in retail therapy.

This is not a good thing. It will prevent you from saving for the important things like a house, a new car, a vacation or retirement. You must set some financial goals and resist spending money on items that really don’t matter in the long run.

Impulse spending will not only put a strain on your finances but your relationships, as well. To overcome the problem, the first thing to do is learn to separate your needs from your wants.

Advertisers blitz us hawking their products at us 24/7. The trick is to give yourself a cooling-off period before you buy anything that you have not planned for.

When you go shopping, make a list and take only enough cash to pay for what you have planned to buy. Leave your credit cards at home.

If you see something you think you really need, give yourself two weeks to decide if it is really something you need or something you can easily do without. By following this simple solution, you will mend your financial fences and your relationships.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 c Carob powder
• 1 c Water
• 1/4 c Honey
• 1/4 c Peanut butter (smooth or cru
• 3/4 c Wheat germ
• 3/4 c Rolled oats
• 2 tb Dry milk powder
• 1/2 c Unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1 ts Cinnamon (optional)
• 1/2 ts Grated orange rind (optional)

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a small saucepan, combine the carob and water.
2. Bring to a boil over low heat, stirring constantly to prevent scorching.
3. Add the honey and peanut butter and continue cooking for about 5 minutes, or until syrup is smooth and slightly thickened.
4. In a large bowl, mix together the wheat germ, oats, milk powder, coconut, cinnamon, and orange rind (if desired).
5. Pour about one cup of the carob syrup over the dry mixture, or as much as is needed to make a pliable, dough-like consistency.
6. Store the remainder in the refrigerator and use as an icing or to make great milk shakes.
7. Pinch off pieces of the dough and roll each piece between your palms into 2-inch-long tubes about the circumference of a fountain pen, tapered at one end in the shape of a baseball bat.
8. Roll the rest into marble-sized balls.

Received via e-mail from Luiza. Thanks a lot!

1. Instead of milk and cookies, leave him a salad, and a note explaining that you think he could stand to lose a few pounds.
2. While he’s in the house, go find his sleigh and write him a speeding ticket.
3. Leave him a note, explaining that you’ve gone away for the holidays. Ask if he would mind watering your plants.
4. While he’s in the house, replace all his reindeer with exact replicas. Then wait and see what happens when he tries to get them to fly.
5. Keep an angry bull in your living room. If you think a bull goes crazy when he sees a little red cape, wait until he sees that big, red Santa suit!
6. Build an army of mean-looking snowmen on the roof, holding signs that say “We hate Christmas,” and “Go away Santa”
7. Leave a note by the telephone, telling Santa that Mrs. Claus called and wanted to remind him to pick up some milk and a loaf of bread on his way home.
8. Set a bear trap at the bottom of the chimney. Wait for Santa to get caught in it, and then explain that you’re sorry, but from a distance, he looked like a bear.
9. While he’s in the house, find the sleigh and sit in it. As soon as he comes back and sees you, tell him that he shouldn’t have missed that last payment, and take off.
10. Leave a plate filled with cookies and a glass of milk out, with a note that says, “For The Tooth Fairy.” Leave another plate out with half a stale cookie and a few drops of skim milk in a dirty glass with a note that says, “For Santa”
11. Take everything out of your house as if it’s just been robbed. When Santa arrives, show up dressed like a policeman and say, “Well, well. They always return to the scene of the crime.”
12. Leave out a copy of your Christmas list with last-minute changes and corrections.
13. While he’s in the house, cover the top of the chimney with barbed wire.
14. Leave lots of hunting trophies and guns out where Santa’s sure to see them. Go outside, yell, “Ooh! Look! A deer! And he’s got a red nose!” and fire a gun.
15. Leave Santa a note, explaining that you’ve moved. Include a map with unclear and hard-to-read directions to your new house.
16. Leave out a Santa suit, with a dry-cleaning bill.
17. Paint “hoof-prints” all over your face and clothes. While he’s in the house, go out on the roof. When he comes back up, act like you’ve been “trampled.” Threaten to sue.
18. Instead of ornaments, decorate your tree with Easter eggs. Dress up like the Easter Bunny. Wait for Santa to come and then say, “This neighborhood ain’t big enough for the both of us.”

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 1 1/2 cups brown sugar
• 4 eggs
• 4 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 5 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 cups flaked coconut
• 2 cups chopped almonds

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Grease cookie sheets.
• In a large bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until smooth.
• Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the vanilla.
• Combine the flour, baking soda and salt, stir into the creamed mixture until well blended.
• Finally, stir in the chocolate chips, coconut and almonds.
• Drop by rounded spoonfuls onto the prepared cookie sheets.
• Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven.
• Allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Received via e-mail from Luiza. Thanks a lot!