Viral ads are meant to create word-of-mouth buzz about a product among consumers, often using venues such as message boards, blogs, MySpace pages, YouTube and certain non-computer methods.
In the videogame realm, full-on viral websites have been created, one of the most famous being the ilovebees campaign for Halo 2. Sony commissioned a campaign recently involving PSP graffiti painted on rented walls, which created a stir. Sometimes marketing firms also hire individuals to post on message boards or blog comment sections to talk about how "dope" X game is, and how he's "gots ta have it."
The problem, according to the FTC and ad watchdog Commercial Alert, is that often viral ads and their components do not reveal their paid relationship with the product they're hyping. An article in the Washington Post outlines how consumers can be deceived by such methods.
According to the report, the FTC will investigate instances of viral advertising on a case-by-case basis where the relationship between the endorser and the seller isn't disclosed. Violators could be slapped with a cease-and-desist order, fines and substantial civil penalties "ranging from thousands of dollars to millions of dollars."
FTC associate director for advertising practices Mary Engle said in a staff opinion, "We wanted to make clear . . . if you're being paid, you should disclose that."
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EK Cooling allegedly has slipped itself into a hot soup of seemingly endless financial woes, where it has not paid its staff, suppliers, and contractors for many months as the company is facing liquidity problems and a surplus of inventory left unsold, stuck in the warehouse for a more extended period. Gamers Nexus investigated these claims made by former and current personnel, where he found trails of unpaid bills lasting as long as three to four months and unpaid raises that accumulated for almost a year.
EK Water Blocks has two entities—a Slovenian-based headquarters and a US-based subsidiary, EK Cooling Solutions. Steve narrated the series of events in detail, stating that the company was reportedly irresponsible and negligent regarding payment. Consequently, partners and employees are forced to share the burden of alleged mismanagement. It all begins with its extensive range of products, leading to a surplus of goods. EK has over 230 water blocks, 40 liquid cooling kits, 85 reservoirs, 40 pumps, 73 radiators, and 212 miscellaneous accessories.
Yes this is not about video games directly but indirectly this will impact the pc gaming/workstation space hard.
This company is massive one of two in the water cool space so if it goes poof then thousands out there have no spare parts or half built computers.
SO yeah i know not about a video game but think of it as amd leaving the pc space but this is ekwb that could be leaving water cooling in the pc space
Jayz2cents a supporter of there products also has issues
https://www.youtube.com/wat...
Rob Webb of KnowTechie writes: We're still waiting on the details, but this video game adaptation promises to be seriously creepy.
I don't want to see anymore websites with a 30+ year old man pretending to be 15 telling mom and dad he has to have a PSP for Christmas.