I mentioned this several weeks ago when I was talking to the Britax rep about the whole Regent installation fiasco. I asked her about the no-advertising black hole from car seat companies.
She had been working there for only several months and was absolutely shocked to learn about their car seats when she was hired. She even lived in the local area, but had never known about them.
She had absolutely no clue why Britax primarily relies on word of mouth or Boutique stores to sell their products. I think they've only grown more popular because the internet shares info so quickly and it's easier to locate them. It also helps that Target and BRU carries them in their storefronts. Granted, it's not a huge selection, but they're still there next to the Cosco, Graco, and Evenflo.
I believe that baby furniture advertising has always been some sort of niche market that Parent magazines just create awareness. After all, the companies are not directly selling it to the public in "Storkcraft" or "Graco" stores, but through furniture and regular stores. They leave it to the actual agent to create sales and advertisements.
Imagine what it would turn into if they had all children gear constantly advertised like Pharmaceuticals and Sweets?
More bombardment on how to be the 'perfect person'