Tom Syndicate and others were paid $30,000 for positive XboxOne promos

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Machinima paid YouTubers tens of thousands of dollars to promote the Xbox One launch positively without declaring their work was the result of an advertising deal.

The US Federal Trade Commission has found that Machinima paid a group of YouTubers tens of thousands of dollars to promote the launch of Microsoft’s Xbox One without declaring the videos were the result of a lucrative advertising deal.

As part of the deal the videos had to “showcase Microsoft products in positive light”.

YouTuber Syndicate was paid $30,000 and SkyVsGaming $15,000 as part of the deal. Neither disclosed that Machinima paid them to create and upload their videos.

Machinima then paid more YouTubers a total of $25,000 to create videos that “could not contain anything negative or disparaging regarding Machinima, Xbox One, or any launch title” and “keep confidential at all times all matters relating to [the] agreement.”

The FTC found that the promotions were not independently produced or impartial and labelled them “false and misleading”.

“In numerous instances, [Machinima] has failed to disclose, or disclose adequately, that the individuals who posted the reviews were compensated in connection with their endorsements,” it said.

“This fact would be material to consumers in their purchasing decisions regarding Xbox One and the Launch Titles. The failure to disclose this fact, in light of the representations made, was, and is, a deceptive practice.”

Posted:
Related Forum: Xbox Forum

Source: https://www.vg247.com/2015/09/03/youtubers-paid-for-false-misleading-xbox-one-promo/

Comments

"Tom Syndicate and others were paid $30,000 for positive XboxOne promos" :: Login/Create an Account :: 78 comments

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slapshot101Posted:

I don't understand why Machinima would have anything to do with Xbox selling profits. I understand if Microsoft was doing a deal like this but why does a gaming network need to increase sales of a single type of console. This is why you can't trust all reviews on Youtube, or just go to smaller YouTubers and they tend to have better quality reviews and can be a lot more trusted.

Joyful-Posted:

Lig For $30,000 anyone would do this.


Fr, I'd sell my body for $30,000. JK, but it's a lot of money I'm sure anyone in the world would do that .

MuskPosted:

haha that's a lot of "$$$$" fair play

StrokesPosted:

I can't exactly say I blame hi. For doing so either!

RobbedPosted:

For $30,000 anyone would do this.

ProPosted:

DO you blame them for doing this?

UnfortunatePosted:

JoyfulMods I would totally do that for $30,000 any day of my life. haha.




Same!

Much money, much food, much drinks, car.

UnfortunatePosted:

Holy shit.

I wish I could do this.
D:

LukePosted:

Hall_Monitor
JoyfulMods I would totally do that for $30,000 any day of my life. haha.


I would totaly do that as well man! Think anyone would


I have to admit i would too!

DankStorm-Posted:

MrMcDolphin Be honest guys if you got paid to promote something you did or didn't like you would say positive things about it.


I am very surprised I am not seeing any hate :D

Everyone seems to agree

As do I...