Marketing

Fake News for the Masses

by Diane Farsetta — January 9, 2008 - 3:49pm

The migration of sponsored video news releases (VNRs) and B-roll footage from television stations to websites is increasing.

Main Source: 
Brandweek, December 31, 2007

Drug Companies' R&D Spending Lags Behind Promotion

by Judith Siers-Poisson — January 9, 2008 - 12:21pm

The pharmaceutical industry often uses the need for research and development funds as an excuse for exorbitant drug prices. But a new study by Marc-Andre Gagnon and Dr.

Main Source: 
ScienceDaily, January 7, 2008

Journalism as Consumer Product?

by Sheldon Rampton — January 7, 2008 - 10:32pm

Under the current rules of journalism, writes Edward Wasserman, coverage is rewarded if it "racks up the page-views, attracting audiences through search engines and enabling publishers to charge advertisers more." The problem (which Britney Spears seems determined to demonstrate) is that a story's popularity often has little to do with its importance. "Journalists don't peddle goods, they offer a professional service, a relationship," Wasserman writes.

Main Source: 
Miami Herald, January 7, 2008

"I Shop. Therefore I Give."

by Judith Siers-Poisson — December 22, 2007 - 12:59pm

'Tis the season of gift giving, and of retailers trying to grab as much of their market share as they can. While encouraging consumerism and excessive consumption, sellers also seek to tap into nobler urges toward benevolence and charity at this time of year.

Main Source: 
<i>New York Times</i>, December 22, 2007

An Industry Look at 2007's Biggest PR Blunders

by Judith Siers-Poisson — December 21, 2007 - 10:55pm

Fineman PR of San Francisco, California, has released their list of top ten PR blunders of 2007. Topping the list at number one is "No Reporters? No Problem" -- the fake news conference staged by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) about their response to the California wild fires.

Main Source: 
The Huffington Post, December 15, 2007

FCC: Big Media Should Get Bigger

by Diane Farsetta — December 19, 2007 - 1:55pm

On a three to two party line vote, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted to overturn "a 32-year-old ban," allowing "broadcasters in the nation's 20 largest media markets to also own a newspaper." FCC Chair Kevin Martin, who proposed the change, called it "a relatively minor loosening" of media ownership rules.

Main Source: 
Associated Press, December 18, 2007

Marketing, Marketing Everywhere

by Diane Farsetta — December 17, 2007 - 4:55pm

Major food companies are planning "to halt advertising junk food to children under 12 throughout Europe," but in the U.S., McDonald's has found "a nifty way to reach kids ...

Main Source: 
Advertising Age, December 5, 2007

Playing Public Relations Games

by Diane Farsetta — December 13, 2007 - 3:22pm

"Sixty percent of US consumers polled agree that the government should regulate the sale of violent or mature video games," states a press release from the PR firm Hill & Knowlton (H&K).

Main Source: 
Washington Post, December 11, 2007

Columbus Discovers Local Fake News

by Diane Farsetta — December 6, 2007 - 5:54pm

Emmy award-winning television reporter Andrea Cambern "might be the most trusted news anchor in Columbus," Ohio, writes Steph Greegor. "So she's believable when she appears in reports reinforcing the notion that the Ohio State University Medical Center is a fine facility. What those clips don't mention is that Ohio State paid Channel 10 for them. ...

Main Source: 
The Other Paper (Columbus, Ohio), November 29, 2007
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