Comments on: Friend Friday: Product Placement

By: Beautifully Invisible

Beautifully Invisible — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 00:57:00 +0000

I saw that. All I can say is that I hope the participating bloggers aren’t being taken advantage of.
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By: Beautifully Invisible

Beautifully Invisible — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 00:29:00 +0000

I read your answers and would end to agree!
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By: Beautifully Invisible

Beautifully Invisible — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 00:28:00 +0000

You’ve brought up some wonderful questions here. I can only speak for myself, but the reason I chose to not post negative reviews here is simply because I would rather focus on other things. If the focus of my blog was product reviews, my answer might be different. As it stands, I chose to promote things because of my own positive experiences. If I buy or am given something I love – I want to share that. If I buy something or am given something I don’t, have a positive experience with, then I feel no need to share that with my readers since reviews are not my focus.

I would not hesitate to alert a company directly regarding a negative experience with a product they had asked me to review. I think the feedback would be helpful to them, but it doesn’t have to be broadcast here. I will leave that to others. 🙂
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By: Beautifully Invisible

Beautifully Invisible — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 00:20:00 +0000

I think Oakley made a very shrewd business decision in alerting the media. The positive publicity they garnered from this can only help them, not hurt them.

I agree – if I like a product, I see no harm in sharing that with my readers.
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By: Beautifully Invisible

Beautifully Invisible — Sat, 06 Nov 2010 00:15:00 +0000

Please don’t apologize for any long comments – I LOVE them! LOL I need to apologize for taking so long to respond (as I have mentioned – things have been hectic!).

You are correct that product placement has become a huge part of media, be it print, TV/film/radio, or internet. It is everywhere. I also agree that it’s OK as long as it doesn’t become the focus of the medium. At times it is so blatant that it is laughable.

And I of course agree re: the blog comments. I often wonder if those are just inexperienced and young bloggers who don’t know any better… I’d like to think they will learn their lesson!

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By: Heather Fonseca

Heather Fonseca — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 00:43:00 +0000

Product placement is everywhere these days. I remember when it just started. Anyway, today I was out shopping and stopped in forever 21. Guess what. There whole advertizing campaign in the store is photos of 4 fashion bloggers and how they’re wearing the forever 21 line of clothing. Talk about product placement…

By: chantele cross-jones

chantele cross-jones — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 00:30:00 +0000

Great answers, we match up pretty well I think. Daisy Dayz Home Cross-Jones-Photography Home

By: Veshoevius

Veshoevius — Sat, 23 Oct 2010 17:11:00 +0000

Great answers and I agree that Oakely were pretty canny to this – also they actually have a product fit for purpose.
I’m not sure why so many bloggers reviewing products are unwilling to give negative reviews of products (you are one of several I’ve come across). Most say they want to keep their blogs positive and that’s nice and understandable on the blogger’s part. I’m not really sure how the reviewing thing works if you are reviewing things sent to you as a blogger (do they oblige you to say something nice?) but I think companies are more resilient to criticism of their products than people think. I recall there were once print magazines that offered independent reviews for the benefit of consumers of products on the market and they never shied away from negative feedback. Companies could actually improve their products if they know what is not working and consumers can make an informed choice by reading independent and honest reviews, which include criticism. Most large companies have an R&D budget for product development and improvement so it’s not like they don’t expect that they may still have work to do.
In terms of fashion blogs every blogger has to decide for themselves what sort of responsibility they are comfortable taking on. Perhaps bloggers feel uncomfortable because the products feel associated with a designer so a negative review feels like a personal slight, or they might fear losing a relationship with a company providing products for review but most design and beauty houses already have the advertising backed print magazines to do all the glossing over and promotion for them. In that case they are being paid to be nice about it but bloggers for the most part are not (I think it would be different if the blogger were paid or getting some other benefit).
It would be nice if there was still an objective fearless voice to say things that are worth saying – like this item from Brand X fell apart after one wear, avoid!

By: BeautifullyInvisible

BeautifullyInvisible — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 20:05:00 +0000

Friend Friday: Product Placement http://goo.gl/fb/8Iul5

By: Monique

Monique — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 17:56:00 +0000

I also noticed the Oakley’s because they had been in the media. I don’t really find anything wrong with their tactics. I actually thought it was quite smart on their part. They did help out and well… its helping them too. As for me I would promote any product I personally love. On my blog I have in the past, promoted body scrubs, lipsticks, handbags, cookies, even a Colgate travel toothbrush! But I only did it because I truly believed in the product. I did it because I wanted to inform my readers of products they either have not tried or have not heard of. But I DO agree with you about the no negativity. I like my blog to be a happy place too!