Now that Parents for Ethical Marketing is a bona fide nonprofit I can move ahead with all plans fundraising. First stop: t-shirts.

Ever since I settled on the name “Parents for Ethical Marketing” I’ve been thinking about the t-shirts. Because you’re not a real organization without them.

I was so sure that there would be t-shirts that I promised them to everyone who helped me get started in this endeavor.

The only question was: What would be on the t-shirt? A straightforward PARENTS FOR ETHICAL MARKETING? Or a PARENTSforETHICALMARKETING.org? Looking back in my notes, I found several brainstormed ideas for shirt slogans: CORPORATE SHILL, BRAND-FREE,  ENOUGH PLASTIC TOYS! (among others).

I knew that design was important. I went so far as to contact my Facebook friends at the Groundswell Collective to see how I could finagle some discounted design work.

But at the same time I’d been reading critiques of selling-product-for-a-cause (the Red Project to fight AIDS in Africa or anything pink for breast cancer, for example). And at home we’d been talking more and more about who was sewing our clothes. We had stopped shopping at Target (and all other big boxers) altogether. We decided to buy second-hand whenever possible.

See my problem? How could I create a brand-new product — a t-shirt — promoting ethical marketing?

It was all over after I read about unconsumption on Rob Walker’s blog. That’s where I found this response to the Red/AIDS campaign:

So the decision’s been made: No PEM t-shirts.

You won’t get a t-shirt for donating. And you won’t be able to buy one.

Probably not the most savvy marketing decision. But it’s the one I can live with.

P.S. If I promised you a t-shirt? I’m headed to your house with a black Sharpie.

photo courtesy andynahman

First, President Bush signed into law a bill that bans lead and phthalates in toys for kids under 12. (Note to Gov. Pawlenty: Reverse thinking.)

And remember the National Conference on Media Reform? And how they offered to give a $500 contribution to any organization from one lucky attendee who filled out the evaluation? You don’t? Neither did I, until they contacted me and asked for PEM’s address. Thanks to lucky board member Jeff Zuckerman.

Finally, after a gruelling six months of waiting, the IRS has granted Parents for Ethical Marketing nonprofit status. So for today, I get to live my dream of running a small nonprofit.

I should go on vacation more often.

Members of Parents for Ethical Marketing will receive the July/August newsletter in their inboxes today, including an article on what to do when kids nag you to buy them something.

Join to receive upcoming issues and action alerts.

And take a look at the newsletter archive:

Even though I tried to disguise it, I still sound like I was up at five a.m. for my interview for The Guardian’s Tech Weekly Podcast. In the Virtual Worlds Special, host Aleks Krotoski, characterizing Corporate Babysitter as a “watchdog blog,” asked me what I thought about the explosion of virtual worlds for kids. The segment begins around 12:30.

Before the interview, I asked PEM members to share their thoughts. Most of the parents I heard from acknowledged some benefits of virtual worlds (like practicing problem-solving and working through real-like situations) but do not allow unmoderated or unlimited access. They expressed concerns about embedded advertising (or product placement), privacy, and online safety.

Thanks to those parents who responded to me and to those who recommeded Club Penguin. We ventured in and have been pleased with it so far. As I’ve said, I’d much rather pay for access than to use an advertising supported site.

My main concern about virtual worlds is when a corporation uses one in order to hook kids into brand loyalty at an early age.

I also question the VWs that take advantage of a child’s emotional attachments. I can’t be the only parent who had to deal with a child’s shock — and then panic — when she found out she would never see her precious virtual Webkinz again unless she gave them some more money. What real-life value does that teach?

Join PEM by becoming a fan at the brand-new Facebook page or follow me on Twitter.

Today I have the privilege of joining a panel presentation for a group of Walden University doctoral students. Walden is the oldest accredited online university and the academic offices are located right here in Minneapolis. The students, staff, and faculty are meeting on the U of M campus for their summer residency.

If you came to the session today and you’d like more information about Parents for Ethical Marketing, you can read this post or explore the website. If you’d like to stay in touch, sign up for our monthly newsletter and action alerts.

Here are the posts that I discussed today:

Children’s hospital naming rights go to . . . Abercrombie & Fitch?
BuzzFeed
A thousands words (Hooters toddler t-shirt)
Little girls gone wild (Review of The Lolita Effect at Salon.com)
Target Corporation assumes feminism is dead; dismisses bloggers
Target tells a blogger to go away (New York Times)
Quick Hit: Let P&G Know What You Think of Their Website for Girls (Shapely Prose)
Call for action: Site for adolescent teens promotes eating disorders (The F-Word)
Beinggirl.com promotes eating-disordered behavior, isn’t so safe or credible

If you’d like to learn more about blogging, social media, and nonprofits, be sure to check out Beth’s Blog: How Nonprofits Can Use Social Media.

Questions? Ask in the comments or drop me a note at lisa (at) parentsforethicalmarketing (dot) org.

My girls are out of school, summer vacations have begun, and we’re moving into “summer office hours.” You can expect fewer blog posts from me here at Corporate Babysitter.

I am trying to line up some great guest bloggers and will continue to work on our site redesign.

One good way to stay on top of things is to subscribe to the Campaign for Commercial-Free Childhood’s RSS feed.

And while you’re thinking about CCFC, take a moment to send them a few bucks. They need to raise ten grand by June 30, are over half-way there, and just need a bit more to make it. Remember, CCFC accepts no corporate funding — so folks like us can sure help them pay the bills.

And now, off to Aberdeen, South Dakota. Back next week!

photo courtesy guruscotty

Today I’m honored to be interviewed by Kimberly Bock at Learning SEO Basics: Supporter of Ethical Marketing. Kimberly’s goal is “to establish communication with ethical marketers on a global scale [and] use this blog as a consistent daily feed of ethical marketing resources . . . .” The series includes interviews with Jonathon Colman from The Nature Conservancy and Chris Baskind from Vida Verde Media.

In addition to this interview, several other things have made me feel like a success today. The first was a visit to Corporate Babysitter from someone over at Jaffe Juice who hung around and read a couple pages. And some visits from Shakesville readers. And visitors still coming from Salon.com.

Success!

I also received my first unsolicited media kit. The folks over at the Pioneer Press want me to advertise in their Nonprofit Giving Guide published in November. Not sure how they got my email address, but hey: someone, somewhere thinks I have an ad budget!*

Success!

But the best was when my daughter approached me this morning. She had today’s newspaper in her hand and a look on her face that said: “Uh-oh, get ready for Mom’s head to explode.”

“What?” I said. “What’s wrong?” She handed me the newspaper and I saw this photo.

Although the story was not about salons catering to seven-year-olds, which would have made my head explode, I have to admit that she’s got a good eye.

Success!

*As I may have mentioned, Parents for Ethical Marketing has not yet been granted 501(c)3 status by the IRS.