That Whole Edelman Thing
October 21st, 2006
I’m sure by now you’ve all heard about the fiasco that’s going on with Edleman not disclosing that they (once again) paid bloggers to write shiny-happy things about their client, Wal-Mart. And there is plenty that is being said. We’ve had some nice debates about it within our own doors as well.
But after sitting with it inside my head for a day I have to say, that sure, I’m mad and I’d like to see action taken. But more than anything else, it saddens me. Edelman has hurt Brains on Fire. Edleman has hurt the other members of WOMMA and the honest marketers out there that have already invested a lot of time, effort and brain power educating our current and potential clients to check out this word of mouth thing. This is a huge setback. Sure, it’s an opportunity to educate our clients and other companies about where the ethical lines are, but all this does is give watchdog organizations like Commercial Alert major ammo to take to the Federal Trade Commission and start regulating word of mouth marketing.
I don’t care how Edelman handles cleaning up their mess. Their credibility is shot with me. And what they have done to this industry – still in its infancy – is a major blow. One that the blogosphere won’t soon forget.
NOTE: Brains on Fire is a member of WOMMA and sits on the Board of Directors for WOMMA.
Other posts by Spike.
Marianne Richmond says:
Spike,
I agree with you…and wrote a post on Blogher about how this erodes trust which is the very heart of the culture of blogs and wom; all the more so because the name Edelman precedes the annual report, “Barometer of Trust.”
Your choice of the words, “it saddens me” expresses the fallout so well…and you are so right that it is irelevant to the rest of us that they are now going to “ready, fire, aim” train their employees in what, ethics 101??
And their “thanks for the input” and request for “feedback” in how they can do a better job speaks volumes…pathetic.
Marianne
October 22nd, 2006 at 12:34 pmSpike says:
Thanks for the comments, Marianne. “Heartbroken” is the wrong word for it, but I’m very dissapointed about this whole thing.
Thanks again for your thoughts - I couldn’t agree more.
October 22nd, 2006 at 4:18 pm“To Tell The Truth 2006″: Walmart Edelman Edition | Conversational Media Group Blog says:
[...] As Spike Jones from Brains on Fire wrote, “Edelman has hurt Brains on Fire. Edleman has hurt the other members of WOMMA and the honest marketers out there that have already invested a lot of time, effort and brain power educating our current and potential clients to check out this word of mouth thing. This is a huge setback.” [...]
October 22nd, 2006 at 11:30 pmYour Community is a Privledge « GiddleBits says:
[...] When business’s treat their community like a privilege rather than a right, they won’t be needing fake antics to encourage potential additions to the community that supports them. Posted by Nathan Filed in Uncategorized [...]
October 31st, 2006 at 6:57 am