Didn’t take long for the Disney empire to get all whiny about that study claiming educational baby videos harm, not help. language development.
The funny thing is, Disney wasn’t ticked about the study itself, just that the University of Washington issued a press release about the study.
“For the University to issue a press release making reckless charges warning parents to avoid using Baby Einstein products . . . is completely irresponsible,” Disney honcho Robert Iger said.
Iger asserted that parents in the study were asked to identify broad categories, such as “Baby DVDs/Videos,” not necessarily a particular brand like “Baby Einstein.”
Here’s what Iger is really thinking:
“Jeez, couldn’t you have just let the Journal of Pediatrics — which nobody reads, not even pediatricians — publish the study and be done with it? Did you have to send a press release out? Now every news organization and blog in the world (like this one) is saying Baby Einstein makes babies stupid. Dude, you’re hurting our revenue stream.”
Don’t think there won’t be payback. No tickets for “The Little Mermaid” on Broadway for you, University of Washington!