Editor-in-chief Susan Kane led the successful repositioning of all three publications in the
Babytalk franchise in 2005 –
Babytalk,
Babytalk Mom-to-Be, and
Babytalk First Months. Under Kane's leadership,
Babytalk garnered several industry awards, including a 2005
American Society of Magazine Editors National Magazine Award win in the Personal Service category for an article on
breastfeeding. Beginning in 2005,
Babytalk hosted "World's Biggest
Playgroup" gatherings across the country. Aimed at new
moms and their
babies, this popular event featured live kids' entertainment, music classes, valet
stroller parking, raffles, giveaways, and photo opportunities. In the past, the event has taken place in
Westminster, California,
New York City, and at the
Mall of America in
Minneapolis. The magazine encountered controversy in 2006 when the August issue depicted a breastfeeding baby on the cover. An
Associated Press article on public reaction to the image sparked hundreds of newspaper articles and TV segments highlighting the challenges that women face when attempting to breastfeed—along with more than 8,000 letters applauding the decision to feature a nursing mom on the cover of a national magazine.
Babytalk also partnered with
Good Morning America on its annual Cover Contest for several years. In 2006, viewers voted online to choose the winner, Abigail Goldman of Cherry Hill, NJ, who appeared on the cover of the October 2006 issue of
Babytalk and received a $5,000 shopping spree at Babies "R" Us. Ana Connery was named editor of Babytalk in 2009, and was promoted to director of The Parenting Group's print content operations in September 2010. In May 2013 the magazine was sold to
Meredith Corp., and following the change in ownership it ceased publication. ==References==