As I understand it, there are some marketing firms out there that hire field representatives to surreptitiously attempt to influence people’s purchasing decisions. The theory behind this being that it only takes a few of these ‘influentials’ to initiate a trend, but once the trends starts thousands more sheople will follow their lead.
I’ve heard that some of these firms even use a ‘grassroots’ internet approach, sending people out to join online communities, blend in with them, gain their trust, achieve popularity, and once they’ve become sufficiently influential there they start promoting the products they’ve been paid to promote. Is this accurate?
Do you suspect that something like this has happened here, or could happen here? How would we be able to identify it if they did??
That’s an interesting question. I’ll get back to you with an answer after I think about it while drinking a cool, refreshing Pepsi One®. It’s a new low-carb, low calorie soft drink from the makers of Pepsi Cola® and Diet Pepsi®.
You know, I don’t normally reply to such things. I usually just bask in an ersatz glow of smug self-satisfaction. Considering your userid, however, I almost feel guilty. Almost.
They are probably here, 50,000 members is probably just about where they would target. I’d look for them on Cafe Society mainly.
I would look for things that seem odd. If someone says “* I really am excited about the New Star Wars movie next month*” that doesn’t strike me as odd. I know 6 "real people " who have said the same thing.
But howabout
“YoYoYo you all!! OMG you know what is going to drop on May 6th? I’ll give y’all the 411: The new Don Cheadle/Sandra Bullock/Matt Damon movie Crash. You I know I’m going to get my Moms to drive me to the mall to check that out that first day. It is going to be a mad happening”
Name: MickyR — Location: 90210y’all
It is very subtle but if it seems like a little too much heat, trying a little too hard to get you excited about something almost no one in their right mind would be excited about (or really that you never met anyone who was excited about it in its target audience). You can look forward to the person posting in July about Johnny Knoxville and Jessica Simpson in Dukes of Hazard – and you start becoming suspicious.
Then you look for the start a thread about persuaders in IMHO to throw everyone off the trail … :dubious:
j/k
I’ve been going on about the sheer joy that is spotted dick, faggots and steak and kidney pies for five years now - and American sales don’t seem to have increased.
go and get some lovely faggots. Have them, with your spotted dick…you will obey
Not necessarily, a very skilled agent provacateur/propagandist could be very subtle. I fear the true political and government affiliated propagandists and agents provacateurs that have surely infiltrated our ranks here (specifically in Great Debates.) - they are much more nefarious than any marketing campaign or branding attempt.
