A recent marketing promotion between Microsoft and Machinima has sparked a discussion about the ethics of how YouTubers make a living. Ars Technica has a piece detailing a recent promotion where Microsoft (through Machinima) could pay YouTubers up to $3,750 for a video featuring Xbox One content, with the proviso that the YouTuber could not say "anything negative or disparaging about Machinima, Xbox One or any of its Games in your Campaign Video."

Reaction to the story has been mixed. Product placement is nothing new and some dismiss it as standard marketing practice, while others are raising questions about ethical concerns. Do or should YouTubers have to acknowledge when they are being paid to play or discuss a particular product?

Posted: Jan 21, 2014 3:24 pm
Related Forum: Social Media

Source: http://www.joystiq.com/2014/01/20/microsoft-recognizes-youtubers-as-influential-but-wants-rules/