Important Notice:

Trevor Barnes · 08-20-2007, 03:29 PM

Please don't

our board posing as MSU students.

Quote:

Martin Waymire Advocacy Communications (MWAC) is one of Michigan's top public relations firms, providing clients with proven results in public affairs and strategic communications consulting.

Started by two of Michigan's most experienced and accomplished public relations experts, Roger Martin and David Waymire, MWAC combines their understanding of public policy, communications skills and contacts with reporters around the state with an aggressive style that can be a formidable tool for associations and companies seeking to advance their issues.

Our multiple public relations services are aimed at motivating a targeted audience into taking action for our clients. By working directly with top professionals, our clients get the superior service and proven strategies that make MWAC stand above the field.

And if this site isn't created by your firm, you shouldn't be letting student interns post from your IP addresses to promote it.

spartanNTX · 08-20-2007, 03:32 PM

woa- good catch Trev. BTN stuff?

Winston Wolf · 08-20-2007, 03:34 PM

Who are they posting as??

MSURed · 08-20-2007, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TK421

Who are they posting as??

I'm guessing it's 'who were they posting as'?

Trevor Barnes · 08-20-2007, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spartanNTX

woa- good catch Trev. BTN stuff?

Quote:

Originally Posted by TK421

Who are they posting as??

Claimed to be an MSU student that created a site ripping the BTN side of negotiations and basically parroted the views of a certain large cable company. The site was designed to look like it was built by fans but obviously wasn't. A blatant attempt at viral marketing.

spartanNTX · 08-20-2007, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trevor Barnes

Claimed to be an MSU student that created a site ripping the BTN side of negotiations and basically parroted the views of a certain large cable company. The site was designed to look like it was built by fans but obviously wasn't. A blatant attempt at viral marketing.

Like this?

scout forum

That stuff is pathetic

Winston Wolf · 08-20-2007, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spartanNTX

Like this?

scout forum

That stuff is pathetic

Anyone with a marginal IQ could tell that post was Spam. And the website is dead giveaway that it wasn't a novice creating it.

The Matador · 08-20-2007, 03:47 PM

So comcast hired a viral marketing firm?

durhay · 08-20-2007, 03:54 PM

Just Ask Zak?

Winston Wolf · 08-20-2007, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Matador

So comcast hired a viral marketing firm?

As if we needed further proof that Comcast are scumbags

Trevor Barnes · 08-20-2007, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Matador

So comcast hired a viral marketing firm?

Comcast is apparently funding it....

Directly from the site:

Quote:

We also seek individual and corporate support, and we currently receive corporate support from Comcast.

MiamiSpartan · 08-20-2007, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Matador

So comcast hired a viral marketing firm?

While Comcast is likely a chief player, it's more likely a coalition of cable companies. Dave Waymire used to represent the Telecommunications industry for some of their lobbying purposes in the Michigan state legislature (maybe still does represent them). So it's not surprising that he's involved with them now, as well.

SCOTTS BLOATED LIVER · 08-20-2007, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trevor Barnes

Comcast is apparently funding it....

Directly from the site:

Just another reason why Comcast is the devil. I cant wait for you to switch us back to DirectTV.

Love Always,
Mel

ISparticus · 08-20-2007, 04:24 PM

Viral marketing rules are certainly violated this way. This is the stupidest application of it...and I've seen some dumb ones!

PortlandSpartan · 08-20-2007, 04:26 PM

Wow, thats funny. When I was reading that post I was thinking to myself this is total BS.

Fletch · 08-20-2007, 04:29 PM

Someone find a public relations message board where we can go and extol the virtues of this firm's competitors.

SpartanGreen78 · 08-20-2007, 04:40 PM

Now here's the question...not that any PR professional wouldn't be able to figure out which college message boards exist to post something like this...but their staff lists four MSU grads:

Andrea Ness
Amy Morris
Brian Brown
Roger Martin

Any of them posters here?

Vince of 231 · 08-20-2007, 05:15 PM

Those of you who frequent other Big1T1en boards should jump to one and see if that same thread ripping on Delany from a "student" who claims to have attended the BTN's kickoff gig has been posted on those other boards.

Trevor Barnes · 08-21-2007, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vince of 231

Those of you who frequent other Big1T1en boards should jump to one and see if that same thread ripping on Delany from a "student" who claims to have attended the BTN's kickoff gig has been posted on those other boards.

Didn't take Northwestern fans long to figure it out...
WildcatReport.com - Message Boards

Or UM fans...
TheWolverine.com - Message Boards

Interesting that he showed up on Rivals as "Victory4MSU20" but had Indiana site Peegs.com as his home message board.

Trevor Barnes · 08-21-2007, 12:02 AM

Other conference blogs are taking notice as well...

Comcast Posing as Big Ten Fans in Anti-BTN Astroturfing Campaign - FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

Minnie · 08-21-2007, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ISparticus

Viral marketing rules are certainly violated this way. This is the stupidest application of it...and I've seen some dumb ones!

No kidding. It's dickwads like Martin Waymire Communications that then make it difficult for legitimate marketers to continue to do business without more government and industry self-imposed regulations.

mighty mouth · 08-21-2007, 12:10 AM

I really think Comcast is kind of upset at the pressure...why else would they do this? They aren't used to getting pushed around publically i guess.

Trevor Barnes · 08-21-2007, 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mighty mouth

I really think Comcast is kind of upset at the pressure...why else would they do this? They aren't used to getting pushed around publically i guess.

Actually this is a VERY good point that I hadn't thought of. If Comcast is going so far as to hire this firm to put up a sham of a site to collect signatures from fans dumb enough to fall for it.............this can only be good news for the BTN. Think about it. If the BTN was insignificant to Comcast, they'd just simply ignore it. They wouldn't go out of their way to pull this kind of low brow campaign. Very very interesting.....

Negotiator · 08-21-2007, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mighty mouth

I really think Comcast is kind of upset at the pressure...why else would they do this? They aren't used to getting pushed around publically i guess.

See, what I don't get is that they were able to outlast the Yankees in their home market. If they're able to take on the Empire and win, why on Earth would they stoop to this for the BTN? The more you fight it, the bigger a deal you must think it is. Under that reasoning, Comcast must think the BTN is going to be a success. Good news, I suppose.

Negotiator · 08-21-2007, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trevor Barnes

Actually this is a VERY good point that I hadn't thought of. If Comcast is going so far as to hire this firm to put up a sham of a site to collect signatures from fans dumb enough to fall for it.............this can only be good news for the BTN. Think about it. If the BTN was insignificant to Comcast, they'd just simply ignore it. They wouldn't go out of their way to pull this kind of low brow campaign. Very very interesting.....

Dang it, Trevor, I was working on it!

Eh, my brain's shot after a day of law school orientation rigamarole.