Wall Street Journal's fake blogger scandal - Valleywag Comments

Wall Street Journal's fake blogger scandal

openwag — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 10:32:05 PST

The news is that last week, when FON used the founder's blog to announce a deal with Speakeasy that didn't exist, they had the Cluetrain Blogger on board as an advisor.

openwag

Wall Street Journal's fake blogger scandal

Stawker — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 06:39:43 PST

Or maybe we're witnessing a cultural change like the one from hippie rock stars to rappers. What used to be called a sellout (think Nike Revolution ad or MC Hammer and Pepsi) is now something to brag about. I predict FONs will become the next blogger status symbol, and tech companies will get the message. Instead of praying that Mossberg likes your new product, you'll just hire a few Daves onto your board and fly Gizmodo out to cover the launch.

Stawker

Wall Street Journal's fake blogger scandal

openwag — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 05:32:33 PST

Disclosure won't save their credibility with readers any more than it would Walt Mossberg. The WSJ headline should have read "Bloggers Boast About Selling Their 'Whuffie'"

openwag

Wall Street Journal's fake blogger scandal

openwag — Fri, 10 Feb 2006 05:31:11 PST

The real story is that blogging's A-list (A for advisor!) is in denial that they're being solicited and compensated for their position as opinion leaders, not for their domain expertise.

openwag

Wall Street Journal's fake blogger scandal

Philipp Lenssen — Thu, 09 Feb 2006 09:24:08 PST

Yeah, I thought the same when reading the article. "So, they're telling their readers they're involved in that company, and then they blog about it... so... wait, what was the scoop here?"

Philipp Lenssen