Turn on ye ole Javascript to add ratings in this low-budg app.

Link to this page
← All panel ideas
Title:

Sponsored Conversations: Good Strategy or Spam?

Your vote:
Yes No
Organizer:
Peter Kim, Dachis Group
Description:
Does sponsored social media content work? When it comes to pay-for-play, many bloggers see no issue with “sponsored conversations” and point out that it’s happened for years. Others decry this practice as payola and challenge the credibility of those who accept payments. Who’s right?
Questions
Answered:
  1. Should marketers support sponsored conversations?
  2. Do bloggers undermine their credibility by accepting payments?
  3. Will the FTC ruling have a material impact on this practice?
  4. How are large consultancies advising their blue chip clients on this issue?
  5. How do well-known bloggers see an impact on their approach?
  6. What standards should bloggers adhere to, especially vis-a-vis journalists?
  7. Can paying for conversation deliver unbiased content?
  8. Does this work as a form of advertising?
  9. From those who have participated, what's the ROI of sponsored conversations?
  10. Is this an inevitable trend, as Forrester claims? If so, how big will it get?
Level:
Advanced
Category:
Advertising, Blogging, Branding / Marketing / Publicity, Business / Entrepreneurial / Monetization, Content
Type:
Panel
Event:
Interactive 2010
Dave Gray
on 17/8/09
A great question and I think the jury is still out. This panel should deliver some interesting and thought-provoking material.
Len Kendall
on 17/8/09
I want to see this panel happen mainly because by March 2010 our reality/opinion of this matter may be radically different than they are right now.
warren sukernek
on 17/8/09
Great, controversial and timely topic. I know this panel will give it the thoughtful yet outspoken treatment required. I'm looking forward to this one.
Jane Quigley
on 18/8/09
I think this will be a great debate - really looking forward to this one.
Peter Kim
on 18/8/09
People who've agreed to participate so far: Ted Murphy (IZEA), David Churbuck (Lenovo), Chris Brogan, Jeremiah Owyang, Joseph Jaffe. I've also invited Andy Sernovitz, Virginia Miracle, and Josh Bernoff.

I'm anticipating a lot of different perspectives and a balanced representation of pro vs. con. To Len's point above, all of these people will have more field experience by March. But will the prevailing sentiment be "show me the money," "the ends justify the means," "tried that/didn't work," or something else?

As moderator (me), I can also tell you that I won't be satisfied unless we get a rich, polarized conversation going...
Rick Liebling
on 18/8/09
Peter, this one is a winner for me because you've got the people I want to hear from on this subject participating. Kudos to you for gathering smart, and as you say, polarizing, individuals involved. I expect the conversation to be lively!
Jim Storer
on 18/8/09
Great group of people that aren't afraid to take sides... should be an electric debate!
Bert DuMars
on 18/8/09
This should be an excellent debate. I cannot wait to see it.
Carlos Hernandez
on 18/8/09

Thank you for having the courage to propose this panel and am glad to see who has been asked to be on the panel.

My initial reaction is that "transparency" is now being spelled "tran$parency" and that may not be such a good thing for the community.
Beth Gwazdosky
on 18/8/09
Looking forward to hearing this panel, Peter.
Tim Jahn
on 18/8/09
This panel should definitely happen, in my opinion. Not only are sponsored conversations talked about now but they will continue to be as the roles and techniques of advertising evolve in these spaces and others. It would be great to have a chance to discuss all this further through such a panel!
Jason Baer
on 18/8/09
That's a hell of a line up. They'll need to pump extra oxygen in the room. I agree with Len. What we think about this today, and we'll think about it next March could be entirely different. Interesting. Looking forward to it.
Andrew Nystrom
on 19/8/09
Essential debate. Great panelist line-up. It's Go-time!
Peter Kim
on 19/8/09
Have also confirmed Virginia Miracle and Jory Des Jardins. This seems to round out the perspectives: PR agency/PR, media, client with budget, blogger, analyst, participant, and placement.

Fingers crossed that the panel gets accepted - should be a great conversation!
Tera Hickle
on 19/8/09
Loved Peter's panel last year. Though this topic is more polarizing. Should be a great debate, can't wait to see it.
Peter Kim
on 23/8/09
...and "nike air yeezy" provides us an object lesson in spam.
Kevin Gawthrope
on 30/8/09
It will be interesting to see if this realm grows or stays stagnant between now and March. To be honest, sponsoring conversations never even crossed our mind in our strategy - but because we're the ones providing the compliant content for our customers to share and grow their business - I guess we ARE already sponsoring the conversation from a certain point of view.

Looking forward to see how things evolve and how this panel shapes out.
David Armano
on 2/9/09
should be a good one. looking forward to it.
Games Online
on 3/11/09
This seems like a great session
Link to this page
← All panel ideas
Developed for SXSW by Lindsey Simon