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A Life-Saving Step: Early Cancer Detection Starts with BRCA Genetic Testing

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Did you know that 1 in 8 U.S. women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some time in her life, and 1 in 75 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in her lifetime1, 2?

By now, many of us are familiar with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, and aware that mutations in these genes are hereditary. Angelina Jolie has helped shed light on the importance of early detection of these gene mutations following her decision to have a preventive, bilateral mastectomy and remove her ovaries and fallopian tubes.

However, even if you don’t have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer, you can still carry the BRCA mutation. Recent studies show that 50 percent of women with BRCA mutations have no substantial family history of breast or ovarian cancer.3

“I believe that every woman should be offered testing of BRCA1 and BRCA2 at about age 30 as part of routine medical care,” says Dr. Mary-Claire King, the scientist who disccovered the BRCA genes. “About half of women who inherit mutations in BRCA1 or BRCA2 have no family history of breast or ovarian cancer and have no idea they are carrying cancer-causing mutations. Most of inherited breast and ovarian cancer can be prevented, if mutation carriers know who they are.” (Read more here.)

The Motherhood worked with Veritas Genetics to make early BRCA gene detection a reality for a select group of bloggers interested in genetic testing.

Developed by leaders in genomics, Veritas Genetics’ myBRCA kit is a non-invasive genetic screening test for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes. For everyone who gets tested using the myBRCA test, Veritas Genetics provides genetic counseling to help them interpret results.

Three bloggers from The Motherhood network explained their decision to get tested for the BRCA genes, and described their experience in their blog posts:

When you take the myBRCA test, Veritas donates a test to a woman in need. Should you test positive for a BRCA gene mutation, Veritas Genetics will provide up to four free myBRCA tests for your immediate family.

The goal of the myBRCA at-home test is to help save the lives of those for whom breast or ovarian cancer are likely and potentially preventable.

More information about the myBRCA test and Veritas Genetics can be found at www.veritasgenetics.com.

Tell us, would you consider undergoing BRCA genetic testing?

Sources:

1 National Center for Biotechnology Information

2 National Cancer Institute

3 JAMA

Moms Power Through Lunch-Packing with StarKist Kid’s Creations Tuna Pouches

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Think about it: over the course of a school year, moms pack approximately 180 lunches! With so many lunches to pack, finding tasty and good-for-you options can be a challenge – luckily, new StarKist Kid’s Creations Tuna Pouches can help!

Each pouch is 110 calories or less and contains 14g of lean protein and DHA Omega-3 Fatty Acids, making these pouches the perfect lunch or after-school snack to fuel your child throughout the day! Kids will LOVE the taste of the Bacon Ranch and Honey BBQ flavors.

Read on to see how this team of amazing moms incorporated StarKist Kid’s Creation Tuna Pouches into their lunch routine and empowered their kids along the way!

Amanda at The Dude Mom enlisted her top taste-tester (Dude 3) to try StarKist Kid’s Creation Tuna Pouches and found out that he not only loves tuna, but also is eager to help out in the kitchen!

Screen Shot 2015-11-13 at 11.51.39 AM

Photo Credit: Amanda at The Dude Mom

Sarah at In the Know Mom used the Honey BBQ Kid’s Creations to step up her lunch game with these BBQ Tuna Wonton Cups.

Screen Shot 2015-11-13 at 11.54.30 AM Photo Credit: Sarah at In the Know Mom

Staci from 7 on a Shoestring shared how products like StarKist Kid’s Creations Tuna Pouches can help teach children independence by allowing them to prepare their own meals. For example, she says “the kids can make their own lunch by adding StarKist Kid’s Creations Honey BBQ to a roll, add some chips and grapes to a plate, and be ready to eat.”

Screen Shot 2015-11-13 at 11.57.38 AM

Photo Credit: Staci at 7 on a Shoestring

Want to learn more about how StarKist Kid’s Creations can make lunchtime easier this school year? Visit the Charlie’s Kid’s Corner Pinterest page for recipe inspiration!

Industry News: Ad Blocking Leads to a Shift in Online Marketing Methods

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Imagine the day when you tell your kids about times when intrusive ads covered websites and appeared before you watched videos online. This day could be sooner than you think.

Ad blocking is on the rise and promises continued growth, especially now that big players like Apple have entered the space. Ad blockers are applications that remove or filter advertisements on webpages. Consumers pay for these services in exchange for less cluttered pages, faster browsing and savings in power. After the release of iOS 9, the top paid apps in the Apple Store included these ad blockers.

Some facts about ad blocking:

  • There are currently 198 million active ad block users around the world
  • Ad blocking in the U.S. grew by 48% in just 12 months
  • Oregon has the highest ad blocking rate at 16.4%
  • Industries highest hit by ad blocking include gaming, social media and tech
  • Mobile will facilitate future ad blocking growth
riseofadblockingsoftware
Image Source: Scribblelive

As ad blocking continues to grow, marketers are becoming concerned with the visibility of the online ads they are paying for. Website ads have been the go-to for online advertising because of their low cost and easy measurement. But with visibility as low as 44% on mobile and 52% on desktop, there is a need for an alternative.

Each U.S. Internet user is worth more than $215 a year in digital ad revenue, according to eMarketer stats, and desktop ad blocking is estimated to cost publishers $22 billion this year. Tech-savvy users who frequently browse online are estimated to be worth more than double the typical user; however, those are the same users who are more likely to use ad blocking apps.

Consumers are tired of intrusive ads, but they are also willing to accept the ads that are tailored for them and naturally fit into their browsing and social feeds. They don’t want to just see an ad for a stroller, for instance, when they are shopping around, but they want to know what others similar to them have experienced and suggested. Marketers now have an opportunity to provide value through naturally occurring online conversations, which aren’t blocked and are proactively sought out by consumers.

So instead of viewing ad blocking as a threat, innovative companies should see it as an opportunity to correct the imbalance, and shift the focus to where there is more value for the consumer-brand relationship. A great example of this is Yelp, who is transitioning advertising efforts to phase out display advertising and focus more on local. Yelp founder and CEO Jeremy Stoppelman stated, “While we recognize there’s a near-term impact on revenue, we believe this is the right decision for the long-term success of the company.”

What is your view on ad blocking? Is your company shifting with the industry?

November Twitter Parties: Round-Up

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Moms, you rock! You balance work, family schedules, meals, shopping and so much more. When the holidays roll around, we understand your list of to-dos and activities grows exponentially. We have some upcoming Twitter chats that are dedicated to moms who are making it happen everyday. We hope you’ll join us for great tips, tricks and inspiration, as we head into a new holiday season!

#RealLifeRealCheese

Wednesday, November 11 @ 2 p.m. ET

There’s football practice, homework, piano lessons and more! For a mom, sometimes simply getting dinner on the table equals success!

We’re teaming up with Jack’s Pizza for this Twitter party to share an easy way moms can win the day. Made with Midwestern pride – and 100% real Wisconsin cheese – Jack’s Pizza is a quick and easy dinnertime solution that the whole family loves.

We will be giving away four prizes to randomly selected participants who answer the trivia questions correctly. Each prize includes a $50 Visa gift card. Prizes limited to U.S. participants only. See official rules here.

#MyUnstoppableMom

Thursday, November 12 @ 12 p.m. ET

Moms may not see themselves as extraordinary, but their kids sure do! That’s why we are so excited about the My Unstoppable Mom campaign from the makers of Children’s MOTRIN, capturing the unstoppable power of moms through the eyes of their children to illustrate how moms are truly making it happen, day in and day out, in their own unique ways.

Join us on November 12, 2015 at 12 p.m. ET for the first of three amazing Twitter mini-chats, each lasting 30 minutes, to share your own unstoppable mom advice for what helps get you through even the toughest moments.

Twitter Party Prizes: We will be giving away three $50 gift cards to randomly selected individuals based on the event’s RSVPs.* We can’t wait to see you at the Twitter chat!

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. OPEN TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 U.S. & D.C., 18 AND OLDER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. RSVP by 12:30 p.m. ET on November 12, 2015. See Official Rules for complete details.

#Stouffers

Thursday, November 19 @ 1 p.m. ET

Did you know that the average American meets the U.S. Dietary Guidelines only seven days out of the whole year?*

As part of the Balance Your Plate educational initiative, we’re joining Stouffer’s for this Twitter party to share simple, convenient ways to make nutritious, balanced meals for your family. Stouffer’s Family-Size Lasagna with Meat & Sauce is made with real quality, including freshly made pasta, hand-seasoned sauce, fresh mozzarella and aged parmesan, making it an excellent entrée for a balanced meal!

Join us for this Twitter party to chat as we share portion control guidelines and tips, along with affordable meal planning and meal pairing ideas! Liz Weiss, R.D and author of No Whine with Dinner will be there to share nutritious tips and answer your questions! We’ll be giving away five $25 Visa gift cards to randomly selected participants who answer trivia questions tweeted from @TMChatHost correctly using the hashtags #Stouffers and #contest. Eligible winners must RSVP to this invitation.** Prizes limited to U.S. participants only.

*According to the NPD Group National Eating Trends Database.
**NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. OPEN TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 U.S. & D.C, 18 AND OLDER. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. RSVP by 1:00 p.m. ET on November 19, 2015. See Official Rules for complete details.

Three Ways to Get the Most Happiness for Your Dollar

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If you found $20 on the ground what would you spend it on and why? (Get creative.)

Yesterday, members of The Motherhood team were asked this question during an event hosted by the Institute for Entrepreneurial Excellence, featuring Michael Norton, an associate professor of business administration at the Harvard Business School. Norton is a widely recognized expert on the behavioral economics of investment: how investing time, money and labor can influence the way people come to value things from products to personal relationships.

Norton shared surprising data on the many ways prosocial spending – or spending money on others, rather than yourself – can help you get the most happiness for your dollar, create happier employees and provide “happier” products for your customers.

Our favorite quote by Michael Norton from the event was: “Rather than collecting people, spend time connecting with people.”

Norton expanded on these concepts and how they can easily be applied in daily life, corporate HR and marketing campaigns:

Buy experiences, not things.

Experiences increase in value over time as we cherish the associated memories. When we personally make things, they become a source of happiness in our lives. This can be applied to marketing tactics as well – creating a great consumer experience leads to a higher perceived value. Norton drove this point home when he said, “It’s easy to compare stuff. It’s not easy to compare experiences. Therefore, with experiences, everybody wins.”

Do not underestimate the value of time.

Often, we value our time even more than money. Using time as currency, such as giving time back to employees as a bonus, can be just as valuable, create big rewards, and improve corporate morale.

Invest in others and in turn you are investing in yourself. 

Prosocial spending leads to a a higher perceived value of a dollar. Designate a set amount of money for employees/customers to donate to a charity of their choice on the company’s behalf, rather than the company designating a single blanket donation. This creates a higher sense of philanthropy spread throughout the entire organization.

There has been a shift in purchasing behavior as consumers focus on fulfillment through experiences, not things. In the marketing world, leveraging advertising campaigns to create experiences around products and brands is key in connecting with modern day consumers, which includes more than just millennials.

What are some ways you get more happiness for your dollar?

Brand and Social Trend: Emoji Use on the Rise

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A recent survey conducted by Emogi (a real-time platform that decodes sentiment in online posts) found that 84 percent of women and 75 percent of men believe that emojis express their feelings more accurately than words. The survey also showed that not only are all generations using emojis, but they are using them often – 30.4 percent use emojis several times a day and 33.5 percent several times a week.

Brands are jumping in on the trend, too, and creating unique emojis for their social media campaigns!

share a coke emojiIn September, Twitter worked with Coke to create the #shareacoke emoji – its first paid brand emoji. This cute image with two Coke bottles automatically pops up when users tweet the hashtag #shareacoke. While Twitter has created the same emoji pop-up function for Star Wars and the MTV Video Music Awards, this is the first time it has been part of an ad deal.

Similarly, Dove Love Your Curls recently announced a partnership with Twitter that auto-generates a custom Dove curly-haired emoji every time #LoveYourCurls hashtag is tweeted. Dove also launched a free emoji keyboard with 27 curly hair designs and 131 variations of skin tones and hair colors. We have previously worked with the Dove Love Your Curls and love the message behind the campaign, which makes us particularly excited about these curly-haired emojis!

dove Love Your Curls emoji
Source: Mashable


Dominos is a key player among brands revolutionizing emoji use for consumers. They’ve introduced a way to let their registered customers order a pizza by tweeting #EASYORDER or the slice of pizza emoji (????) to @Dominos. 

Dennis Maloney, the company’s chief digital officer says, “This wasn’t just a marketing campaign, we’re creating an ordering platform.”

It will be interesting to watch how emojis become a more integrated part of brands’ social media campaigns and customer experiences in the future.

In fact, @theMotherhood recently tweeted its inaugural emojis during a Twitter party on behalf of LISTERINE last week that garnered nearly 4,000 tweets and 25 million impressions, triggering a $20,000 donation from LISTERINE to Oral Health America’s FALL FOR SMILES campaign! You can see a couple example tweets with those emojis here:

emoji emoji

Now, take a look at some of our team’s favorite and most-used emojis:

???? Purple heart + ???? Dog

Cooper: I sign all my texts to my kids with a purple heart. And the dog, because it kind of looks like our dog, Atticus!

???? Baby

Serena: I’ve been using the baby emoji almost daily lately since I’m expecting my first little one in April!

???? Party Popper

Erin: My most-used emoji is the one that looks like a noisemaker with confetti and streamers. I use it to show enthusiasm and support, or excitement for an upcoming celebration.

???? Grinning Face With Smiling Eyes + ???? Horse

Kahlianne: I definitely overuse the grinning smiling face, but I make the same face all the time when I read tweets/messages so it’s the perfect reply! And horses are involved in the majority of my conversations, so its only natural I use the horse emoji all the time.

???? Face With Tears of Joy

Brittnee: I love using the smiling/crying emoji because I feel like it replaces the “LOL” that so many of us became accustomed to using 15 years ago as a way of indicating a laugh and smile during conversations.

Brittney: I use this one frequently when texting family to tell them hilarious things my toddler says and does. At least half of those texts also include ???? to convey her sassy personality!

???? Thumbs Up Sign

Nicole: For me, the thumbs up emoji replaces “OK” and “sounds good” in so many texting conversations and when making plans with friends. I even use the thumbs up when I’m texting about something I love, like a new song that comes out or a meal I just tried.

???? Waving Hand Sign + ???? Face Throwing a Kiss

Kayla: I use the waving hand constantly to say hello or to show that I’m over a subject by saying ‘bye!’ to it! I also use the blowing a kiss emoji with my family and my best friends because they mean the world to me and I love them tons!

???? Sunflower

Sarah: Sunflowers are my favorite flower and seeing one always makes me smile! I like to use this emoji to brighten someone’s day!

What are your most-used emojis?