Sneaky Online Marketing Outlawed

So companies can use blogs and tweets to market their products – but only if they make it clear that they're actually trying to flog you something. 

Apparently many naughty marketing companies have been buying blogposts and tweets for sponsored promotions – without actually saying they're sponsored (surprise, surprise!). Now the Office of Fair Trade has ruled against the practice. 

First company to be hammered by the OFT is Handpicked Media, an 18-month-old startup based in Carnaby Street, London. But, of course, there are loads of companies up to these tricks and the big question is: will the OFT now go after all the others? 

Our new film Marketing Series 1: The Internet Revolution (no obligation to buy!) shows just how huge social networking has become as a marketing tool – so the OFT is likely to have some huge fights on its hands. 

Watch this space for more legal punch-ups to come. 

Full story here.