Caution: May Contain Traces of Humour
Stumbled across a new word today ‘Roborant’ (pron. ROB-uhr-uhnt). Apparently it means v. to strengthen, or n. a restorative tonic. I think it should be ‘Robo-Rant’: to make an automated complaint on-line. Robo-ranting, n. a robo-ranter, disgusted of Tunbridge Wells goes ballistic in Cyber Space.
I am sure you know this, I didn’t, but the Unfair Trade Regs may impact PR’s and PR. I found this on the Schillings website. Be Warned. Since May this year, new laws designed to protect consumers mean that it’s now illegal to: ‘falsely claim or create the impression that a trader is not acting for purposes relating to his trade, business, craft or profession or falsely represent oneself as a consumer.’ Which, in plain English, means that it’s now illegal to post positive comments about a brand on blogs etc without making it clear that the post has been created by or on behalf of the brand. Likewise, it would be illegal for a PR to write a positive review about a hotel client on a travel website without disclosing why they are doing so. Companies will also be prohibited from using buzz marketing specialists to communicate with potential customers, e.g. on social networking sites, without revealing that they are acting on behalf of the brand. You can go down for 2 years!