It’s hard to believe that there was a time that I didn’t want to be a mom. I was sure I was more Mary Tyler Moore than Shirley Partridge. And besides the word mini-van sent shivers down my spine. Well, I never got over the mini-van thing but the idea of a hug at the end of the day from someone who smelled of Johnson & Johnson Baby shampoo and Play-Doh well, that got me.

 So I find myself quite unexpected in the most courted category of beings on the planet. Moms. During this economic recession, research shows we have been most affected. And marketers are working desperately to keep me and my cohorts engaged in their brands.

 Certainly every article mentions how a mother’s choices for her family have been altered.  We are shopping at different stores, trying different brands, and cooking more at home. And I have never looked at a grocery circular until the last year.

 But there are brands we hold onto. A friend of mine whose husband was out of work sent him to the grocery store armed with a very specific list while she went to her teaching job. She looked at me and said, “Can you believe he had the nerve to walk in the house with generic Pop Tarts? He certainly won’t do that again.”

 I find it to be true of myself. Some of the 3 for $10 pizza offers in the frozen foods have me feeling the same way. Could this really be as good as DiGiorno?

Our Research and Strategy group conducted a recent survey on brand relationships in these strained times. Just like with any other relationship, there is a strong loyalty to those who got you where you are. The white paper will be posted next week. If you are a marketers’ dream, see how you stack up with other moms. If you are a marketer be astounded. The more things change the more they stay the same.