Oh, no need to say sorry. I’m probably too idealistic and didn’t mean for it to come off as picking on you.

I agree with you. There will always be those looking to crawl around the edges to make something work to their advantage, even if it can harm or mislead others. I’m not surprised that PPP (and others) are seeking to play the system. I’m also aware that, no matter how much I may wail about it here, I’m not likely to make it stop ever.

But, I do think it is good for the students to see us talk about the issue. After all, I think we can envision some employer / client down the road suggesting that they use these tactics, too. At least this way they will have heard it called what it is … bad practice.

Thanks Mike.

Yes, PPP and other forms of bastardized PR still makes me cringe and a bit sad. Idealism is good and is something we should keep at the forefront — especially your students.

Unfortunately, there’ll be enough unscrupulous people out in the real world who’ll wear them down. Help them keep up the good fight.

Mike

Oh, I think these types of tactics have been going on since the Web launched.

Is it advertising – like product placements? I can see the analogy. But, if it is advertising, it is bad advertising. Product placements in TV and movies irk me, too. Some will probably call me an unrealistic idealist. Ideals are important. They give us something to shoot for and try to live up to. Not that I live up to them all the time, or even once, but they are comforting to keep around.

Your point about “contending with advertising” is a good one. How many clients would opt for the sure-fire placement – even if at a price – as opposed to coverage with transparency? Too many, if only one – because one is one too many.

PPP may be another tactic at our disposal, but I’d prefer to put it down the disposal. PPP is, essentially, saying, “Hey, we’re splogging and we’ll pay you to help. Telling the trugh about what we’re doing is optional. Embrace the disposal of transparency because there is money to be made.”

Sure, it was inevitable for PPP (and others) to appear, as there are always those looking to take shortcuts to a dollar. That doesn’t surprise me, at all.

Darn, back to those ideals. They always seem to get in the way.

There are enough TV shows — just check out Florida for the production companies — where companies can pay $15,000-30,000 for a five-minute spot. Then, there are advertorials and product placements in movies. It’s all advertising. (Oops, giving away some of an upcoming post here. Oh well. )

PPP is just another form of advertising.

And, while it may make PR pros’ jobs more difficult in some ways (like contending with our advertising brethren for budgets), it makes the “hits” we do play a role in all that more valuable.

PPP is just another communications vehicle we all have at our disposal.
Mike

I agree. It could attract those with a desire to vent or praise on a variety of topics.

I just don’t see how anyone can make that much money off of it. Even the $10 a post offers will no doubt not allow you to post once a day. So, you’d have to be doing $5 posts (and several of them) to make some cash.

Just looking at the possibilities, if someone decided to (and was allowed to) post for 5 different clients 10 times a month, that’s only $250 a month. Will any client of PPP’s be willing to pay $5 ten times a month? let alone per day for the same blog? I doubt it. And, they only have 17 listed opportunities now, as of my last reading.

How long, really, will it take participants to make each post? 15 minutes minimum? I bet it takes most more than that – say 30 minutes each? So, you’re making $10 an hour. Not bad for a side job akin to fast food work.

And that fast food crowd is about the quality level the practice is going to attract – at those prices. Would you want those people writing about your company? What’s next – talking points (or prewritten posts) being provided by the advertisers. Actually, I bet that’s already happening, too.

Now, add to that the reality that no one is required to disclose the relationships and you have a pretty sleazy endeavor. The advertiser doesn’t disclose. PayPerPost doesn’t disclose. The blogger doesn’t disclose. It is one big fraud being perpetuated on unsuspecting readers – or, more importantly – a fraud on search, link rank and page rank for all involved. That could wind up further diminishing the value (perceived or real) of online marketing and advertising.

PayPerPost isn’t the first to do this (despite the claim in their blog) and they won’t be the last. Each new fraudulent activity serves no positive purpose.