First of all, aren't you supposed to be enjoying a visit to DLR instead of spending time here?
After hours compadre
I only quoted the above because you were responding to me and I'm asking for nothing from any of the bloggers/podcasters/Lifestylers ... what I want from TWDC (of which I am a shareholder of a publically traded corporation) is transparency on social media and ethics.
Well then I think you should stop attacking the individuals (regardless of their desirability or not) and focus on Disney's behavior. Why attack the puppets...who ultimately are replaceable and interchangeable? The fall of one of them wouldn't change the grand scheme or the game.
Personally, I think the community should hold themselves to higher standards and push their sites to do so as we'll. I don't care if they only cover rosey stories or reviews. That's their choice and their audience will react based on what they want. And that's how things should be.
As for Disney.. I have a hard time being concerned from a corporate responsibility front because I haven't seen anything yet to make me think this is a big investment, nor have I heard other media is being excluded at the cost of these types. Should I be upset Disney is trying to build brand champions? Should I be upset they can do this for probably a fraction of the cost of a tv spot?
To me, there of course there is the question of effectiveness... But unless there is a big outlay for this or casualties of consequence from it... I look at it as experimentation. What would bother me is if relationships are misrepresented, or if choices were made out of personal interests rather than business first.
I personally like the Disney parks blog project. I don't like their efforts in building an online community- but I like their making promos, behind the scenes, and teasers available directly.
Topics like inconsistent treatment of individuals or access - that I can only stand firm on if the relationship is being misrepresented. Media rarely has equal access. Even traditional media. So I can't be upset the company does as it always does and puts their interest first. I value transparency and consistency - I don't think Disney excels in either of those things to start.
I want a simple answer as to what the rules are because maybe my goal in life is to be a Disney podcaster (OK, we know it isn't, but let's play along) ... and if those rules apply to everyone equally. It really isn't too much to ask and it doesn't harm Disney's proprietary information (that is a BS line that can be used as an excuse to send people in circles forever).
And what if they don't apply equally. Then what? A moral victory for making them admit what we know to be true for all press types... That companies are not required to do so and that press relations is a dance both sides play to advance their own needs?