Advertising by Stealth?

[alan h]

What is the '5 wedding videos' entry doing in the "latest stories" section?

Admit it - its not a 'story', it's an advert - it seems just to be a 'come-on' for the various wedding adverts that are 'attached' to it.

Is Italy Mag now so desperate for advertising revenue that it is offering to slip adverts into any part of the website that they can think they can get away with?

[ronald]

Hi Alan,

My, my its a cynical world. That story is simply us having fun with films on the website.

The five clips if you dedicated the time to view them are of normal weddings by normal people with no added advertising at all. Simply us enjoying Italian wedding.

It is was one of the most viewed stories on the front page of Italy Magazine EVER so clearly people are happy to see how others are enjoying Italy and curious to do so.

As with any TV channel all you have to do Alan is click somewhere else or close your browser and you will have no reason to be upset at all!

Ronald

[Nielo]

I mentioned in another thread the existence of 'viral marketers', these are people who are employed to infiltrate forums, create a character then put in subtle plugs for their employer, or recommendations for their products.

I'm sure Italy Mag are aware of this kind of marketing but it must be very difficult to distinguish between advertising and someone’s genuine enthusiasm for something.

After all, if they were easy to spot, viral marketers would not be worth employing.

[Karina Walderson]

Is Alan is the viral marketer? I hadn't noticed the wedding videos until this thread drew my attention to them, but I enjoyed watching them, so thanks for that.

[liketheroman]

Is it not 'marketeer'

[Karina Walderson]

Both are correct.

[Relaxed]

This forum is 'funded' by Italy Magazine. Italy Magazine's current issue is about weddings - and the 'news' related clearly to magazine content.

So what is the problem? Nothing. Though Ronald gave me a giggle saying that the wedding item had been amongst the most popular (presumably he means on the site's front page) ever.....now I am convinced that alan's post has an awful lot to do with that statistic...so maybe Nielo has got something and alan is the market(e)er manque!

[liketheroman]

I'm with relaxed on this one. They own it and pay for it so can do whatever they like. Have to say I cannot see that much benefit in it for them especially as they have to mess around keeping us in order (perhaps that is why it is good, most forums don't bother)

[Relaxed]

Whatever turns you on - (I reckon a 6hr wedding breakfast means I don't have to think about food for a couple of weeks, and thus saves me a lot of time shopping or remembering the fridge is empty, and it's the only time I ever get to eat lobster...).

But where else would a magazine promoting Italy suggest would be idyllic for a wedding? Get real. If anybody buys Italy Magazine (wedding edition) they are half sold on the idea anyway. Otherwise do the deal at Scunthorpe registry office, much cheaper and no God.

Jeez - that was a quick delete which I replied to - sorry, the above makes no sense without having read Sancho's post, and I should have learnt that the 'defensive position' of always quoting the message replied to has some logistical (if not aesthetic) virtues.

[liketheroman]

Why did Tom Cruise spend millions of quid marrying in Italy at the most miserable time of year?