FTC to viral marketers: suck it

Lost Fragment · 11:34 PM

I guess this should go in the gaming forum since a large chunk of viral marketing concerns games?

Original article

Quote:

The Federal Trade Commission yesterday said that companies engaging in word-of-mouth marketing, in which people are compensated to promote products to their peers, must disclose those relationships.

In a staff opinion issued yesterday, the consumer protection agency weighed in for the first time on the practice. Though no accurate figures exist on how much money advertisers spend on such marketing, it is quickly becoming a preferred method for reaching consumers who are skeptical of other forms of advertising.

[snip]

The FTC said it would investigate cases where there is a relationship between the endorser of a product and the seller that is not disclosed and could affect the endorsement. The FTC staff said it would go after violators on a case-by-case basis. Consequences could include a cease-and-desist order, fines and civil penalties ranging from thousands of dollars to millions of dollars. Engle said the agency had not brought any cases against word-of-mouth marketers.

Elios83 · (12-12-2006, 11:29 PM)

Indeed,fake impressions must come to an end.

PhatSaqs · (12-12-2006, 11:30 PM)

They must read GAF.

Odysseus · (12-12-2006, 11:31 PM)

I think this new policy will be awesome once it has a chance to take hold.

NeoGAF user Odysseus is an unpaid volunteer for the FTC.

rage1973 · (12-12-2006, 11:33 PM)

So does this mean all viral marketers on GAF have to reveal themselves?

Odysseus · (12-12-2006, 11:33 PM)

Originally Posted by rage1973:

So does this mean all viral marketers on GAF have to reveal themselves?

The other possibility is that half the forum might disappear.

VALIS · (12-12-2006, 11:34 PM)

Awesome news! It's rare, but every now and then laws supporting and protecting consumers instead of corporations slip by, like this and the 'Do Not Call List.'

Y2Kev · (12-12-2006, 11:34 PM)

Originally Posted by Odysseus:

The other possibility is that half the forum might disappear.

Awesome, better server speeds!

Tieno · (12-12-2006, 11:35 PM)

Originally Posted by rage1973:

So does this mean all viral marketers on GAF have to reveal themselves?

I think it'd be faster if all the legitimate posters reveal themselves....

....

....

....

....
No one?

GeoramA · (12-12-2006, 11:36 PM)

Originally Posted by rage1973:

So does this mean all viral marketers on GAF have to reveal themselves?

Like it's really hard to notice them...

DarkhawkX · (12-12-2006, 11:40 PM)

Damnit, I have a feeling I'm going to need a new job. And I was so close to finishing up a nice Junior debut and securing legitimacy as a Member...

SIGH

Juice · (12-12-2006, 11:41 PM)

Who cares guys, it's not like I'm going to let this get in the way of telling you all how much I WANT MY PSP FOR CHRISTMASSSSS!

Juice is a paid sponsor of Sony Computer Entertainment of America

Incognito · (12-12-2006, 11:42 PM)

Damn, so what's going to happen to GoFreak?

Odysseus · (12-12-2006, 11:45 PM)

Originally Posted by Y2Kevbug11:

Awesome, better server speeds!

Rock on!

Razoric · (12-12-2006, 11:46 PM)

Originally Posted by Incognito:

Damn, so what's going to happen to GoFreak?

usea · (12-12-2006, 11:46 PM)

Originally Posted by rage1973:

So does this mean all viral marketers on GAF have to reveal themselves?

No, it means the companies have to disclose such employees, probably their names. There's no way to match the companies' lists of such employees with posters on the internet.

zon · (12-12-2006, 11:47 PM)

Yay, now there will only be fanboys left!

Death_Born · (12-12-2006, 11:47 PM)

Once they find out about Sony, their goose is cooked!

WarLox · (12-12-2006, 11:47 PM)

... so thats means less of this... right ???

So while i was with my family over the holidays... I decided to pull my Wii out... and O-M-G!!...

i couldn't get my grandma off of it

PhatSaqs · (12-13-2006, 12:07 AM)

Originally Posted by Incognito:

Damn, so what's going to happen to GoFreak?

Coop · (12-13-2006, 12:09 AM)

Originally Posted by Incognito:

Damn, so what's going to happen to GoFreak?

I was wondering the same thing.

DarkhawkX · (12-13-2006, 12:13 AM)

Originally Posted by WarLox:

... so thats means less of this... right ???

So while i was with my family over the holidays... I decided to pull my Wii out... and O-M-G!!...

i couldn't get my grandma off of it

Less Wii Babe threads.

And the end of Bebpo!?

Altaïr · (12-13-2006, 12:13 AM)

Half of GAF unemployed.

XiaNaphryz · (12-13-2006, 12:13 AM)

Originally Posted by Incognito:

Damn, so what's going to happen to GoFreak?

Heh, I thought you were going to mention Kittonwy instead.

GhaleonEB · (12-13-2006, 12:14 AM)

Originally Posted by Incognito:

Damn, so what's going to happen to GoFreak?

XiaNaphryz · (12-13-2006, 12:16 AM)

EDIT: Double post...server shenanigans!

Maridia · (12-13-2006, 12:19 AM)

This is spectacular news!

OT:

I've drank so much soda, I'm feeling lightheaded and dizzy!

Angelcurio · (12-13-2006, 12:21 AM)

Poor chespace.

At least he keeps his job on the forza team.

skinnyrattler · (12-13-2006, 12:21 AM)

Oh shit, bail out.

Eat snacky smores.

scissorfight · (12-13-2006, 12:23 AM)

Originally Posted by XiaNaphryz:

Heh, I thought you were going to mention Kittonwy instead.

"this stupid-ass smiley brought to you by SCEA"

Gazunta · (12-13-2006, 12:25 AM)

Can't wait to hear the disclaimers at the end of the next 1up Yours. :)

Buy The Legend of Spyro

meltpotato · (12-13-2006, 12:27 AM)

Originally Posted by scissorfight:

"this stupid-ass smiley brought to you by SCEA"

rarely do i actually laugh at a messageboard post, at work no less

PistolGrip · 12:43 AM

Does this mean many gaffers will need to add

"I am being paid to spread the word on how good <insert game console> is "
to their signature

oh noes!

Hopefully this will stop the amount of "I am buying a 360 today" threads

typhonsentra · (12-13-2006, 12:40 AM)

Is Incognito going to be okay? People have been banned for saying that before.

Scottlarock · (12-13-2006, 12:40 AM)

Originally Posted by Angelcurio:

Poor chespace.

At least he keeps his job on the forza team.

chespace hs been very open who he works for, which is what this calls for.

strangely this thread is growing very slow! I guess half of gaf is on hidden payrolls!~

artful_dodger · (12-13-2006, 12:41 AM)

GAF-Action lawsuit imminent.

Suikoguy · (12-13-2006, 12:44 AM)

Originally Posted by Scottlarock:

chespace hs been very open who he works for, which is what this calls for.

strangely this thread is growing very slow! I guess half of gaf is on hidden payrolls!~

OMG, You may be right!?

Nerevar · (12-13-2006, 12:45 AM)

shit, I could've used all that extra money they were paying me.

*sigh*

Firestorm · (12-13-2006, 12:48 AM)

Go Nintendo's getting shut down?
Damn, it was a pretty good source of news =(

rage1973 · (12-13-2006, 12:49 AM)

Originally Posted by typhonsentra:

Is Incognito going to be okay? People have been banned for saying that before.

Hello EA viral marketer.

NinSoX · (12-13-2006, 12:54 AM)

Speaking of which, where is Solidsnakex? He hasn't posted since November 20 :-O

typhonsentra · (12-13-2006, 12:55 AM)

Originally Posted by rage1973:

Hello EA viral marketer.

Hey hey hey hey! Don't go accusing people of things like that!

Just because I love all the AAA offerings from Electronic Arts and enjoy sharing my glowing impressions here doesn't make me a viral marketer.....

But by current US law, I guess I have to disclose I work for them BUT THAT SHOULDN'T CHANGE ANYTHING!

Scottlarock · (12-13-2006, 01:06 AM)

Originally Posted by NinSoX:

Speaking of which, where is Solidsnakex? He hasn't posted since November 20 :-O

If anyone is a viral marketer, my vote goes to him... he is the 'link' master and spin master. If a game get delayed, its because the developers wanted to make the game better how is that bad, If a game gets cancels, it sucks anyways its for the best why would you want this game anyways?, low ps3 sales? the price will drop, it won't be 599 for long, graphics sucks, look at silent hill dude and launch games.

I'm almost willing to bet money hes on the payroll, and maybe jedimike... but hes a xbot so I like him.

Cheesemeister · (12-13-2006, 01:18 AM)

Maybe now industry-types around here will be smart and not talk about their own company's products under cloak and dagger.

Yeah, we'll see. Or not. All I want for Christmas is a PSP!

Blame! · (12-13-2006, 01:25 AM)

Originally Posted by Incognito:

Damn, so what's going to happen to GoFreak?

omg did you just go there......

well we know who the microsofot folks are anyway.

any nintendo shills here?

Odysseus · (12-13-2006, 01:28 AM)

Originally Posted by TheProfessor:

Does this mean many gaffers will need to add

"I am being paid to spread the word on how good <insert game console> is "
to their signature

oh noes!

Hopefully this will stop the amount of "I am buying a 360 today" threads

It hurts you, doesn't it? People buying 360s and stuff. It's OK, we're here to help. Talk it out.