Advertising and brand names

[Gus Orviston]

Okay, so what is the policy on using brand names in our post?

I see in the GPS thread that it is okay to use the brand name of a GPS because you don't have anybody advertising them, is that it?

It would be very unfortunate if an advertiser can shut down the sharing of information just do to their presence. Kind of 3rd world isn't it. Since they are a part of this forum they are more than capability of setting straight any misleading or inaccurate statements about their product.

I am not suggesting that using slanderous comments is acceptable, but I don't want to see vague comments about somebody experience because IFISH is protecting the competitive landscape.

[Salmonator]

If that was the case, then there would be over a thousand boat comparison threads closed because Willie is a sponser. And without those threads we'd probably have no Boater, and what would ifish be w/out Boater? :grin:

[Hogmaster]

Gus -

Try to understand this from Jennie and the sponsor's perspective.

No, this isn't the 3rd world. It is a free to use (or not) web site with large, no huge, amounts of information provided by all sorts of characters, some of which is even credible. :smile:

But this site is what Jennie essentially does for a living. And since we don't pay for use, she asks businesses such as Willie or GI Joes to pay for advertising on the site.

As she and the mods have brought up before, they don't want to prevent discussion about non-sponsored products or even providers. Like 5-cents asking what is WRONG with Stevens, that sort of endorsement probably doesn't cause too much heartburn.

But if someone writes a thread saying that such and such (a sponsor) has nothing but schmucks working for them and their products are inferior and/or I will only do business with so and so ( a non-sponsor) because they are soo much better than (sponsor), think about the implications.

It is sorta like going into their store to wave a flag for their competitor. I seriously doubt any of the sponsors are not aware that on a discussion board that their competition will inevitably be discussed, but paying money only to see banner waving statements about the competition is not something anyone would like to support. Common sense.

Is Jennie going to be able to expect the sponsor to continue when that happens? Those comments are actually jepordizing not only her source of income, but also the existance of the site itself.

So, it seems to me, (and no I haven't even talked to Jennie about this) that if someone brings up a brand name or particular sponsor, they should do so understanding and maybe even qualifying that their experience does not make it the way it always is. That is true of non-sponsors and their products as well.

I don't think anybody is asking for sugar-coating, just consideration...

[ 08-31-2002, 01:41 PM: Message edited by: Hogmaster ]

[boater]

joe, i have stopped the bashing, although it`s tough and there are a few posts on the board now that i could bash i find it in my best interest to keep my mouth shut, have a nice day :smile:

[Gus Orviston]

thanks for the clarification , the original note implied more black/white.

thanks, gus

[Jennie@ifish]

Gus, what original note?
Jen

[Jennie@ifish]

I don't think anyone has ever said anything about anyone not using brand names in their post.
I agree with all of the above.
One problem we run into is some people log on as xyz@whoknowswhere.net, and they are representing the company of 123.com.
They come onto ifish and start saying how wonderful 123.com is, for the sole purpose of advertising. They pretend that they are not part of the company, and just a casual poster. It doesn't happen often, but I have made some surprising discoveries.
However, it is only human nature, as ifish is widely read, and it is a very powerful voice when it comes to getting the word out about things. Free advertising? Enticing!!!

There is no hard and fast rules about brand names. There are vendor rules. *See below

I think if you do a search on any popular brand of fishing item, it'll be here.
That's why so many companies use the search feature on ifish to see what is being said about them. It's an important tool to find out how they can improve.
Good for us, good for them.
Jen

*Ifish Community Vendor Rules: Please note that advertisements, chain letters, pyramid schemes, multi-level marketing, blatant cross-posting, promotion of competitive commercial or noncommercial sites and/or their affiliates & organizations in the body of a message, falsifying identity to promote a site or businesses in which you are involved and solicitations of any manner are inappropriate in this BB and may result in immediate and permanent revocation of your posting rights. Your business web site may be listed as an url once in your signature line. (Go to My Profile/Edit profile, and add it there, if you like)
If your intention on the message boards is to promote your products or service, you are in the wrong place. Selling on the Ifish Community board is strictly prohibited and rigorously enforced, with one warning and then account termination. We define a vendor as any individual or company that sells a service or item for the purpose of profit, regardless of the volume or dollar value of that sale, whether incorporated or not. If you are here to simply converse with fellow fishermen and women- enjoy! Vendors are not allowed to discuss their competitor's products in any way shape or form. Vendors are far from impartial and we don't feel it is ethical to allow them to evaluate their competition.
The Tackle and boat for sale board is for one time private sales. Multiple production of one item may not be continuously advertised. The Tackle and boat for sale board use excludes any legal business, unless those businesses are specifically Ifish vendors.
If you donate a contest for the front page of ifish, you may use the resources on ifish.net to advertise your product for the term in which you are being displayed on ifish.
"Ready, Set" vendors are allowed reasonable advertising on the board. (Reasonable, meaning casual mention of said product.)
Ifish reserves the right, at any time, to discontinue your services at any time, for misuse of the board.
--oh yeah.... do not fold, spindle or mutilate.