Comments on: Cabwise From TFL

By: Rachel

Rachel — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:02:24 +0000

I have no problem with the campaign or posting the video, I fully support that. That’s why I went and found the video on You Tube to post it. The issue is to do with the practices of the outreach company and their understanding of disclosure.

By: tehbus

tehbus — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 16:54:11 +0000

They approached me with regards to posting for payment. However, I actually see the benefit for this and don’t really see this as an advert as opposed to public awareness so happily posted it on my blog for free, hence no mention of payment.

By: When earned media isn’t earned, part III (but paid media raises money for charity) // katy lindemann // seemingly unconnected

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:31:44 +0000

[...] against TV & Cinema. So fair enough, as far as it goes. Although it’s worth noting, as Rachel Clarke observes, that at no point do GoViral ask bloggers to actively disclose that the video is a paid-for [...]

By: Katy

Katy — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 14:21:14 +0000

I couldn’t agree more. I think there’s a difference between compliance and ethics. Doing the bare minimum isn’t enough to cut the mustard IMO

By: Rachel

Rachel — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:27:17 +0000

I believe that ethically, they should tell the people they’re asking in the email etc. At the moment, I’ve seen no indication they actually understand the issue and are advising clients correctly.

By: Katy

Katy — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:20:11 +0000

GoViral seem to think that as the player says ‘sponsored’ there’s no need for bloggers to highlight anywhere in the post that they’ve been paid to post the video. Therefore they don’t ask you to say it in the post, because they think the player already discloses it. I would argue that it might be compliant but only just. The campaign they’re talking about is the Stella campaign where they offered extra budget for blog posts, comments and tweets, with no mandatory disclosure in the T&Cs (which they can’t claim is covered by the video player, because a tweet or a comment is something entirely separate) which is what they said they hadn’t really considered and should probably think more about. Still doesn’t make the paid video posts any more obviously transparent, but if the player ticks the box then I suppose they’re legally compliant but not especially ethical IMO.