One thing I still can’t take away from Dooce. The girl can write. And decorate.

But, really, I think the site could have been a lot better done, and, again, one of my main points is that it doesn’t seem that even Dooce or PW is proud of their involvement. It’s a really tacky site, and I think they’re better than that.

A lot of advertising has been irritating me lately — have you seen the new Lexus commercials? And I don’t think I can build a better car, lol.

Maybe just sour grapes?

You’re right — it would be only fair to email them and ask for their “side” of it. I didn’t bother though, because I’ve never received a response to the few comments I’ve left on either of those sites. I did think two things were significant. 1) Their “voices” in the posts on Christmas Wrapped are much diluted from their distinctive styles on their own sites, and 2) Neither of them mention the site on their own sites (as far as I could tell, and I read them both pretty religiously).

The Federated Media guy pointed out that Mighty Maggie (Mighty Gal?) did announce it on her own site, but I don’t read her, so I was mistaken about that.

I still read (and plan to enjoy) Dooce and PW — I just think this site was a major misstep on everyone’s part.

Not to make fun, but raise your hand if you’ve ever gotten an email back from Dooce or PW. Anyone? Anyone?

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Thanks for responding. The more I look at it, though, esp the parts Tom quotes in his comment, the more I think it’s a poor, poor form of advertising. And I stand by my original critique “It’s tacky product placement taken to the nth degree.”

It’s like an infomercial on late night TV, only without the disclosures that it IS an infomercial.

Also, I think when you say the posts on there “entirely spontaneous,” I wonder if you ate paint as a child, or was that just at business school?

When you have paragraphs such as, “Coasters can be an incredibly useful and unexpected gift, and you can even break them out and use them at the party right when you give them! Here are some you can keep on hand that will suit a variety of hostess personalities and styles.” And follow this with a link to Target’s coasters, and do the same sort of thing throughout the blog post, then it’s no longer a blog post. It’s a blogger writing an advertisement for Target products. It takes away from the honest, independent blogger voice. I agree that it does seem a bit like prostitution, but I’ve always disliked marketing speak.

Yeah! Score one for Jane!

And Jane – you’re right. Trust and transparency go hand in hand. Some of us are more willing to let the light shine all the way through than others. So absolutely, if you made your name as being as clear and unclouded as a pane of glass, you have to disclose, disclose, disclose.

Good on you, Jane.

First, yes this is a program that Federated Media helped put together. We’re quite proud of it. This is a site that brings mom bloggers together, sponsored by Target. We love to bring together great independent authors (like Dooce and Pioneer Woman) with brands that would like to join the conversation.

Second, the posts on ChristmasWrapped are entirely spontaneous and any product reviews/highlights that are included are done so with no editorial control whatsoever. Authenticity and transparency are driving principles behind everything we do together. Trust me, Dooce wouldn’t stand for anything less.

The program was announced in several places including here and here, and Mighty Girl did a post on her site that mentioned her participation here.

In light of your comments we are taking a second look at the About page to make sure the facts of the matter are as clear as they can be. If you’re interested to learn more about the types of program we put together, please see the FM website for campaign examples.

I really hope you’ll take another look at the site and please get involved if you’d like. Thanks!!

Matthew DiPietro, Federated Media

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What is interesting to me about Dooce is the valid complaints about all her whining. I LOVE her whining about motherhood. It always seems spot-on and REAL and well-written to me. I only wish I could whine so eloquently about the pitfalls of motherhood.

But her whining about mean commenters and hateful emailers, on the other hand? Totally crap.

Seriously, I do get what you’re saying and, as always, like the way you said it.

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