It seems like everyone these days wants to be mom-endorsed, mom-approved, mom-blogified, mom-casted.  Its been years since anyone can just be called a Mom, with the Minivan Moms, Soccer Moms and Yoga Moms now making way for the Alpha Moms and Beta Moms (no word yet on the Gamma Mom if we continue on with the Greek alphabet).  Marketers around the world have always known the role of Moms in purchasing decisions at home and for the family, but given the increase in skepticism in advertising and the rise of the importance of family and friend opinions, Moms continue to be the most powerful and credible influence for all around them.  More and more companies are jumping on the Mom Movement, with each day bringing new examples of how Moms are being invited into the boardroom.  Here are some highlights of what Moms have been up to lately:

• Fast food giant McDonald's has hired six moms to come "behind the counter" to see the company firsthand as part of a "Moms' Quality Correspondents" program, where the moms will blog about what they see.  More than 4,000 Moms applied and the final ones are now blogging away on the company's website.  McDonald's actually started a global "Moms Panel" last year, bringing together Moms from six countries to provide the company with thoughts on active lifestyle initiatives, store communications and children's well-being.
  
• The Today show in the States last week looked at Alpha Moms versus Slacker Moms
  
• At the end of last year Nintendo hosted Mom game nights in the US to build buzz for the new Nintendo Wii, which given the latest sales figures of the console, looks like that strategy paid off
  
• US automaker General Motors launched www.mycadillacstory.com where consumers post personal video stories of their life with their Cadillac, where many moms have shared their stories, highlighting the fact that 70% of car purchases are influenced by women
• Haircare product manufacturer Suave partnered with wireless carrier Nextel in the States to create an online and on-phone series called "In The Motherhood" starring The King of Queens star Leah Remini, dealing with new parent issues
• The Hybrid Mom showed up recently, a combo website and magazine that will be distributed at 300 Gymboree locations in the US, helping moms balance home and work 
  
• Kentucky Friend Chicken created a "Moms Matter! Advisory Board" to discuss how to make Kentucky Fried Chicken and its side menu items healthier. They also exchange ideas on ways to reduce stress and how to promote more sit-down family dinners.
• Cuisinart in Canada is directing moms to a virtual kitchen to submit recipes and food stories, as well as answer polls and download a baby recipe book on a popular mom website in Canada called Urban Moms; with plans for Cuisinart Kitchen Parties coming next, reaching groups of Moms across the country
  
• National network CBS in the States has a great video highlighting some real-life "alpha moms" and companies reaching out to them
• And Jason over at WebProNews has taken the Mom approach when providing tips on how to have a good online reputation, further proving that what Mom taught us along the way is powerful now too
  

Bringing Moms into the marketing mix can provide an unmatched credible component for your outreach efforts.  If the marketing world had more Moms like Carol Brady providing insight we'd all definitely be in a better place.