POLL ADDED: AEG and NVIDIA's "Viral"'outreach programme' targets Forums

[apoppin]

i believe the first thread got locked although i can't see why Anyone would want this surpressed.
EDIT: Please don't post 'names' and keep the flaming to a discussion . . this IS really important news every forum member should lnow

Well worth a look:

From EliteBastards
[quoted in small part]:

Who are AEG?

As we've already mentioned, AEG are otherwise known as the Arbuthnot Entertainment Group and, to put it simply, are a marketing organisation. To get a more official idea of the company's activities, let's take a look at a quote from their own web site's front page.

Quote:
Arbuthnot Entertainment Group is a leading public relations agency servicing the technology and entertainment industries. Combining expert media relations and integrated online community development, AEG will Amplify positive buzz, Elevate consumer mindshare and Generate extensive coverage of your company and its products. . . .

Quote:
COMMUNITY RELATIONS
- Fan site development and monitoring
- FSK (Fan Site Kit)
- Community management
- Message board monitoring and response
- Strategic seeding viral assets to ensure they are spread far and wide
- Optimization and re-purposing of existing content, creative and assets

. . . What does the 'outreach programme' involve?

Moving on to the clients page of AEG's web site, we see their own definition of the programme they have put in place in conjunction with NVIDIA.

Quote:
AEG has developed a unique campaign of community outreach and involvement to build strong enthusiast support for NVIDIA products and software.


What is so unique about this campaign? Our next clue comes from NVIDIA themselves, courtesy of their very own Derek Perez:

Quote:
AEG serves a pivotal role in helping us to build and manage online buzz for NVIDIA products. AEG?s online community outreach programs have been extraordinarily successful in improving public perception of our company and its products. So much so that we've recently expanded AEG's role into some of our other product lines. AEG plays an essential role in our marketing and public relations programs. In our opinion, they?re the best-of-breed experts in the field of online PR and community management.

. . . AEG, on behalf of NVIDIA, monitors a number of public hardware enthusiast communities and forums, seeking out some of the more well-respected members of these communities, those that they feel will hold sway among their peers when it comes to discussing product purchase decisions and the like.

These individuals are then approached regarding their interest in joining NVIDIA's community outreach programme. Those that register said interest are then provided with a free NVIDIA product (graphics cards generally speaking, although as NVIDIA has noted this campaign has been diversified into other product areas) in return for these users providing feedback to NVIDIA for the product they have been given, as well as hopefully evangelising the product to other members of their community. Thus, good word of mouth about the product is spread by a highly valued member of a community among his peers, who then take his sentiments on-board, spread them on to other communities, users, friends etc, and so on - The 'good news' spreads quickly, acting as a perfect form of viral marketing. . . .

i'm sure ATI does it too . . . just remember that some forum members may have a "special interest" [free boards] in promoting "their" company.

Conclusion: get LOTS of input before deciding what to buy.

Update . . . just for 'fun', i changed the title slightly . . .
:curious;

Update: Poll added

 

[rbV5]

Gee that all sounds strangely familiar. Now, some of the chatter in the video forum makes a little more sense doesn't it?

 

[Greenman]

Did anyone else think of Rollo after reading this?

Edit: Not intended as a flame. Rollo is a well spoken and polite fellow, but I think most of us would agree that his nVidia bais is a bit over the top.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: rbV5
Gee that all sounds strangely familiar. Now, some of the chatter in the video forum makes a little more sense doesn't it?

if this wasn't SO well-documented, it could be dismissed as a crackpot "conspiracy theory".

Yes, it does explain a lot and i have always assumed there was this type of marketing as these forums are so "effective" in getting out word-of-mouth.

Now that we are more aware of this, we can be more cautious in what to believe.
:thumbsup:



EDIT:

PLEASE don't mention forum members "names" . . . this will just get locked . . . this news is worth knowing

 

[Zstream]

EDIT:

PLEASE don't mention forum members "names" . . . this will just get locked . . . this news is worth knowing


lol, maybe forum mod's are in the program

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Zstream
EDIT:

PLEASE don't mention forum members "names" . . . this will just get locked . . . this news is worth knowing


lol, maybe forum mod's are in the program

just the video mod . . . 'you know who'
[hope he's sleeping-in today . . . he's off on Sundays]



[AT reviewers get BOTH ati AND nVidia stuff . . . and are "fair" as AT has a sterling reputation . . . the mods are mainly forum members that the AT administration monitors for their fairness]

now quit it . . . this news is serious :Q

 

[rbV5]

Nvidia has offered me free boards for beta testing in the past, but this looks to be different than that.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: rbV5
Nvidia has offered me free boards for beta testing in the past, but this looks to be different than that.

yes . . . this is a relatively new marketing tread that is appearing in many places [M$/TV and movies/etc.] . . . and an insidious one at that.

Just more fluff to sift thru in making an informed decision.

 

[rbV5]

People should really look forum posts with a doubting eye anyway, since even without this specific information, you never really know who is who on the intraweb anyway for the most part.

 

[RobertR1]

Personally, I'd have no problem with this as long as these individuals would add to their signature that they're are AEG contractors with a link to the "about AEG" page so members can see a clear basis for their opinions. At that point the site owners can decide if they want these people even posting on their boards. It's the sneaky and deceptive tactics that are low.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: RobertR1
Personally, I'd have no problem with this as long as these individuals would add to their signature that they're are AEG contractors with a link to the "about AEG" page so members can see a clear basis for their opinions. At that point the site owners can decide if they want these people even posting on their boards. It's the sneaky and deceptive tactics that are low.

don't you think ati also uses these tactics?

edit:

it's supposed to be "sneaky" . . . if ANYone admitted it, they would lose credibility


edited again

there's instantly anectdotal evidence showing a more controversial title [albeit one that is more explicit] gets a LOT more views . . . what's a person to do?

 

[RobertR1]

Directly from AEG:

"We're also experts at employing grass roots strategies. Our goal is to empower a community's key influencers so that the customer is being guided by one of his or her own as opposed to a corporate "imposter". We provide these influencers with consistent and compelling content - stuff the communities are thirsting for. We can work with our clients to help create this content, or even identify materials that can be re-purposed from traditional marketing and PR efforts. If you're spending money promoting a product before release - be it video games, movies, music, or TV - where are you driving your audience? In today's wired world, people go to the Internet to get more information and to find out what others are saying. Our job is to ensure your product is positioned in the best light possible so that a consumer sticks with you through purchase. We make sure that potential customers using the Internet to seek information about your product are rewarded with a positive and compelling experience. The result? We turn customers into evangelists: the most valuable component of any marketing campaign."


CRISIS MANAGEMENT
- Strategic counsel and implementation: Fires, Misinformation, Rumors, Leaks

References by the Evil Empire:

"I've had the pleasure to work with Arbuthnot Communications from their origins more than eight years ago and consider them a critical component to our marketing efforts. From my perspective, the most powerful form of marketing for any entertainment property is 'positive word of mouth,' and the Internet is the ideal communication vehicle to help spread that buzz. Arbuthnot recognizes this like no other agency I've worked with, and knows what it takes to build this 'must-have' buzz. While most PR agencies find it beneath them or a waste of their time to interact with the smallest fan site or the most remote online forum, Arbuthnot understands that these passionate fans are the ones that turn so-so titles into blockbusters. The slow and steady process of 'magnifying the mania' with these loyal fans is what Arbuthnot is all about, and they execute better than anyone in the business. They have delivered results on many million-selling PC games like Age of Empires and MechWarrior, and are approaching Microsoft's highly anticipated Xbox titles with the same level of detail - delivering the same high level of success.

For more than eight years now, I've considered Arbuthnot our 'secret weapon' compared with the marketing teams at other game publishers and look forward to working with them for many years to come."

Christopher Di Cesare
Group Product Manager, Microsoft Games Studios

 

[RobertR1]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: RobertR1
Personally, I'd have no problem with this as long as these individuals would add to their signature that they're are AEG contractors with a link to the "about AEG" page so members can see a clear basis for their opinions. At that point the site owners can decide if they want these people even posting on their boards. It's the sneaky and deceptive tactics that are low.

don't you think ati also uses these tactics?

edit:

it's supposed to be "sneaky" . . . if ANYone admitted it, they would lose credibility

If they do, I'm sure it's with another company. Hopefully we can find that information out also.

I know it's suppose to be "sneaky" I'm just stating that ideally, just as when Ati employees post they'll openly admit their employment, these people should openly admit their contractual obligation to AEG and their customer, nvidia. Ofcourse this would likely put AEG out of business, either way, it's a win-win.

 

[apoppin]

again, RobertR1 . . . don't you think ATI also employs this tactic?

We know MS and many other companies do . . .

and if 'not", don't you think they will lose out on one of the most effective marketing tools ever?



edit: i see you answered.

Of course, it would not be with the same company . . . if they are 'smart', ATI'd have ther own internal [top secret] department . . . there aren't that many tech forums

this news is not 'good' for nVidia

 

[pol II]

I think ATi also uses this tactic; and if they don't, they had better do so in order to level the playing field. Dirty or not, this gives a business a competitive edge.

 

[RobertR1]

Originally posted by: apoppin
again, RobertR1 . . . don't you think ATI also employs this tactic?

We know MS and many other companies do . . .

and if 'not", don't you think they will lose out on one of the most effective marketing tools ever?

You know, I don't think they currently do only because I'm sure nvidia signed up during the 5x00 era to do some damage control/crisis managment. During that time until the 7800 series cards, Ati had a performance lead. Although, Ati might have signed up in the past few months seeing that beating that they're taking Either way, I'd want to see just such info an Ati also. No reason why they should be protected if they're using the same tactics.

I also don't see people endlessly promoting Ati products or defending them to such a degree except for SSXeon and Shairhardin on Rage3d but it's quite clear neither of them get any card as SSXeon has been waiting endlessly to get a x1800 card and Shair is just too thick headed to be even approached by such a corporation. I believe he's still using x800 series card anyway and SSxeon in on a 9x00XT card. Trust me, with their bias, well beyong the point of annoyance, they damn near deserve these cards from ati directly.:laugh:

 

[Paratus]

I can see it now!

The Nvidia (ATI) Defense League!!!!!!

Quick to the F.U.D.mobile!

 

[CP5670]

This would be a pretty good job actually. Post crap on forums and get free video cards for it. I need to become well respected. :laugh:

 

[M0RPH]

I really hope the mods don't lock this again. This is good information and very relevant here. If there's anyone on this forum that's essentially paid by a graphics company to hype their products and slander the competition, we all need to know about it.

I hope anyone here that is involved with this has the guts to come out and admit it. I'm thinking specifically of someone whose handle starts with R and ends in O. He fits the profile perfectly.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Paratus
I can see it now!

The Nvidia (ATI) Defense League!!!!!!

Quick to the F.U.D.mobile!

Have you noticed how the nVidia supporters are unusually silent?

Now doubt, they want this thread to die . . . however, it IS legitimate news and something every forum user should be aware of.

caveat emptor, indeed

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: M0RPH
I really hope the mods don't lock this again. This is good information and very relevant here. If there's anyone on this forum that's essentially paid by a graphics company to hype their products and slander the competition, we all need to know about it.

I hope anyone here that is involved with this has the guts to come out and admit it. I'm thinking specifically of someone whose handle starts with R and ends in O. He fits the profile perfectly.

DO NOT POST names! . . . THAT is what got the last one locked
!

!!


!!!


edit . . . and 'not really' . . . TOO obvious . . . maybe a 'discount' at best
[if you really think about, you know who . . . just don't post it please]

 

[Paratus]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Paratus
I can see it now!

The Nvidia (ATI) Defense League!!!!!!

Quick to the F.U.D.mobile!

Have you noticed how the nVidia supporters are unusually silent?

Now doubt, they want this thread to die . . . however, it IS legitimate news and something every forum user should be aware of.

caveat emptor, indeed

Good point - The dog that didn't bark..............

 

[Greenman]

If anyone from nvida is reading this, I'm for sale. A new sli motherboard and a couple top of the line video cards and I'll never miss a chance to to tell the world how great iNvida really is.

ATI, maybe you should jump on this band wagon as well, the highest bidder gets my undying devotion.

 

[nts]

I dont doubt that both companies do this, or almost every company in existance, but IMO NVIDIA is doing it way more than anybody else and this seems to have gotten a major push at the time of the FX generation (along with their TWIMTBP program).

I dont think we need to name any names, no point pointing out the obvious.

I would be interested how the compensation works with these people, especially when some go across forums to discret a person or heavily push some PR. Do they submit a report with threads and then get a pick of free stuff?

 

[Munky]

Originally posted by: CP5670
This would be a pretty good job actually. Post crap on forums and get free video cards for it. I need to become well respected. :laugh:

But the irony is, the more crap you post promoting a certain company, the less respected you'll get. I certainly have less respect for those kinds of people, and I'm less likely to believe what they're saying.