Stealth Marketing, is it affecting the .Org?

[Marshal Murat]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stealth_marketing

I know that the .org has a very good policy against marketing (thank god for the entrance hall!) but has this new marketing technique affected the .org?
To spare anyone from possibly reading the link, the basic jist of stealth marketing is something that may happen in the Arena.
Ad group gets an account, asks "Any good WW2 games?" and lets a discussion begin. Then, ten posts later, he inserts "I saw this <game title> what do you think?" This steers discussion into the game, and website hits.

Has this affected the .org? Are there barriers in place to prevent such user manipulation. Have you encountered this subliminal exploitation of the community?

[Alexanderofmacedon]

I wouldn't be too worried about it.

[The Spartan (Returns)]

me neither.
there is a bigger chance of an orgah doing that.

[Crazed Rabbit]

I don't forsee a problem.
*sneaks back to Turkish m&b HQ*

Crazed Rabbit

[Reverend Joe]

There were some painfully obvious examples of this a while back. I think the guy got banned, because he would literally post a thread where he said that such-and-such a game was really great. No questions, no opening of a real topic. It was really bad.

[Lemur]

Whenever I feel as though I'm running into stealth marketing, I just take a quick sip of Sprite. Its sparkly, refreshing taste brings me right back to reality. Yup, there's nothing like Sprite to make my day better. Sprite also improves my performance in the Mafia games.

Mmmm, just talking about it makes me thirsty. Time to get a crystal cool refreshing Sprite soda.

[Crazed Rabbit]

Sprite also improves my performance in the Mafia games.

That's false advertising there.

Crazed Rabbit

[Big King Sanctaphrax]

Well, don't tell anyone, but I heard that CA has planted a fe...argh!

*BKS is cut in half by a naginata, in a scene remarkably reminiscent of one of the assassination videos from STW.*

[InsaneApache]

I always have Kettle[TM] chips with my Sprite[TM]

[GoreBag]

The thought occured to me a few months ago, when Tycho from PA mentioned the practice on their page. I thought it was hilariously sleazy.

[Silver Rusher]

Guys, have you heard about this new Mafia IV game? Yeah, GH started the series a while back, and, it's like, really fun. Just have a look at some of the previous games to see what I mean.

Honestly, you guys have to try it. But there is only a little more than an hour left before the sign-ups close... you might not make it!

Mafia IV: sign up before the time's up!

[BigTex]

Stealth marketing affecting the org? I hope note, but at least I'll have a hot fresh ready to eat pizza hut pizza in 45 minutes. Their stuffed crust is wonderful. Nothing goes better with a cool refreshing Sprite then a hot fresh delivered pizza from Pizza Hut .
___________________
Speak softly and carry tactical nukes.

BigTex

Ridicolus
"Hilary Clinton is the devil"
~Texas proverb

[yesdachi]

I have heard of “stealth marketing” occurring all over myspace.
That’s right, myspace, the pest place to meet people from your area in the country and keep in touch. Includes blog, forums, email, groups, games and events. Its great!
I feel so cheap.

[Orb]

Stealth Marketing?

I'm sure we don't need to worry about it, we just need GHC's Mafia to get going and take our mind off it.

[InsaneApache]

Stealth marketing affecting the org? I hope note, but at least I'll have a hot fresh ready to eat pizza hut pizza in 45 minutes. Their stuffed crust is wonderful. Nothing goes better with a cool refreshing Sprite then a hot fresh delivered pizza from Pizza Hut .
___________________
Speak softly and carry tactical nukes.

Ridicolus
"Hilary Clinton is the devil"
~Texas proverb

Except Kettle Chips[TM], the taste that made America. You know it makes sense.

and now.......a word from our sponsor........

[professorspatula]

I try to deter stealth marketers from entering my forums or any places I frequent by wearing cloves of garlic about my person. I've yet to confirm if it is working on stealth marketers, but I'm pleased to report there's not been one case of vampire attacks during the entire time.

Next trial: landmines.

[ajaxfetish]

I'm experiencing the most bizarre sensation. I suddenly feel the urge to drink a nice, refreshing Sprite as I play a Total War game, and hopefully that Pizza Hut delivery will arrive soon, man am I hungry. I also think I need to find out what kettle chips are as soon as possible. The oddest thing is I wasn't even thirsty a minute ago, but oh what I wouldn't give for a Sprite. I wonder if my roommates have any stowed away. Or maybe a neighbor. Um, be right back.

Ajax

[Mikeus Caesar]

Stealth Marketing could never happen here at the .Org - after all, it's Powered by vBulletin, and they provide a good enough service to prevent such horrible things ruining your perfect day. Heck, they're so good, with each purchase of a website running vBulletin, you get a free sprite.

I love them.

[ByzantineKnight]

If this counts, I'm sorry. I was wanting to see if anyone would play a multiplayer.

[macsen rufus]

Who's worried about STEALTH marketing -- every time I've logged in for the past few weeks I've been getting a lousy AOL gambling site pop-up ad that my pop-up blocker won't kill. I guess this has to have the permission of someone at the org or its ISP. Now THAT really gets on my .... errr (struggles to find frontroom-friendly phraseology)... well it gets on them, anyway

And with some of them having transparent backgrounds you don't always notice it's there til you've tried to click on a thread only to find yourself hijacked into gamble-land. Really, I wasn't interested in gambling first time I saw this thing, nor the hundredth, and I still won't be for the thousandth.... WHY do we have to have this rubbish????????

Hmm, okay, rant over

[ByzantineKnight]

Who's worried about STEALTH marketing -- every time I've logged in for the past few weeks I've been getting a lousy AOL gambling site pop-up ad that my pop-up blocker won't kill. I guess this has to have the permission of someone at the org or its ISP. Now THAT really gets on my .... errr (struggles to find frontroom-friendly phraseology)... well it gets on them, anyway

And with some of them having transparent backgrounds you don't always notice it's there til you've tried to click on a thread only to find yourself hijacked into gamble-land. Really, I wasn't interested in gambling first time I saw this thing, nor the hundredth, and I still won't be for the thousandth.... WHY do we have to have this rubbish????????

Hmm, okay, rant over

Yah, me too. That never happened before, whats going on?

[Husar]

I think we have a lot of stealth marketing going on in the M2TW forum...
Seriously, a link to a website doesn't make me buy a game and the arena is meant to discuss games, right?

[doc_bean]

The Arena has only a small group of really active members (as does the hard- and software forum), so if a random person just starts raving about a game I doubt it will convince anyone quickly. Of course, froggy should be able to make a healthy amount of money should anyone ever think of paying her for name dropping games