Comments on: Buzz marketing – an ethical “black hole” http://dummyspit.wordpress.com/2007/04/08/buzz-marketing-an-ethical-black-hole/ Discussion on public relations practice and research Wed, 23 Dec 2009 12:04:23 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Heather Yaxley http://dummyspit.wordpress.com/2007/04/08/buzz-marketing-an-ethical-black-hole/#comment-15 Heather Yaxley Tue, 10 Apr 2007 19:02:43 +0000 http://dummyspit.wordpress.com/2007/04/08/buzz-marketing-an-ethical-black-hole/#comment-15 I'd like to see more openness in traditional media clarifying their interests when recommending products. Whether it is restaurant or wine reviews, fashion/beauty products, the travel industry, or my own area of motoring, for example, I think it is about time all journalists were more open about whether they have been been given hospitality or "free" products/loans. Access prior to launch of new products and/or trips to facilities is necessary and a well established PR-media practice. But I feel more transparency has to be a good thing. On the paid-to-buzz question - we all learn to ignore any friend or contact who makes a bad recommendation. I agree that openness is ideal, but I don't mind someone being paid if their advice is good - but then if they are making good recommendations, they probably don't need to be paid. I’d like to see more openness in traditional media clarifying their interests when recommending products. Whether it is restaurant or wine reviews, fashion/beauty products, the travel industry, or my own area of motoring, for example, I think it is about time all journalists were more open about whether they have been been given hospitality or “free” products/loans.

Access prior to launch of new products and/or trips to facilities is necessary and a well established PR-media practice. But I feel more transparency has to be a good thing.

On the paid-to-buzz question – we all learn to ignore any friend or contact who makes a bad recommendation. I agree that openness is ideal, but I don’t mind someone being paid if their advice is good – but then if they are making good recommendations, they probably don’t need to be paid.

]]> By: drmike http://dummyspit.wordpress.com/2007/04/08/buzz-marketing-an-ethical-black-hole/#comment-13 drmike Sun, 08 Apr 2007 18:43:18 +0000 http://dummyspit.wordpress.com/2007/04/08/buzz-marketing-an-ethical-black-hole/#comment-13 I would have loved to have had one of the laptops. Would have put it to good use, even if I had to publicly state where it came from. I would have loved to have had one of the laptops. Would have put it to good use, even if I had to publicly state where it came from.

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