This is unreal... the supposed kings of word of mouth marketing committed the number one biggest rookie mistake you can make. You can't create fake blogs. It's bad business, bad PR, and it makes you look like a liar. I feel bad for Steve Robel, their web 2.0/viral guru. He's horrified I'm sure.

I've always resented that moment every year when I write my check to Lexis/Nexis. Like MediaMap online, it's expensive, clunky to use, and usually isn't nearly as effective as just looking something up on your own.

Ever been in one of those brainstorms trying to come up with a "media event" that will draw broadcast attention? You know the "let's donate X to children with Y disease and invite the press"... those sessions. Not to sound cynical, because these causes often really do benefit and they truly are a bright spot amongst the dull churning of every day news....