FTC Slams YouTube Group For 'Deceptive' Xbox Marketing Campaign

[Mr Puggsly]

czecherychestnut said:

Mr Puggsly said:

Well in my opinion MS is just asking them to preview products in a positive manner. Basically MS just wants people to be aware of their products and what they feature. They can save the trash talk for other videos down the road, such as reviews.

If MS was paying them to say their console was the best or exagerating how great the games look, that would be flat out wrong. You dont have to mislead viewers to discuss a product in a positive manner.

If you pay someone to discuss your product in a positive light, and you disclose that arrangement, no problem. But the arrangement between Starcom and Machinima specifically prohibited the disclosure of the arrangement, and therefore the video's were misleading because they portrayed an independent review or opinion when in fact it wasn't independent. If you wanted the money, it had to be positive coverage and the arrangement couldn't be disclosed, but the viewers weren't aware of either condition. 

I feel positive coverage is basically anything not negative. Hence, merely discussing what the game is and why its interesting can be positive. But I think others perceive this deal as MS wants people to flat out lie about the product. You can be positive without misleading.

Again, if the video producers are lying to get money thats wrong. Paying for good reviews also wrong. But getting paid to discuss what you like about an upcoming game is fine. Thats kinda what a preview often is. This isnt black and white.